As Jenson Button swept to his fifth win in the first six grands prix of 2009 in Monaco, events on track were comprehensively overshadowed by the continuing battle over the sport's future shape.
After a string of meetings between the team bosses and the FIA, both sides made conciliatory noises - but no deal was reached, and it emerged that the teams had demanded that the FIA abandons most of the planned 2010 rule changes in exchange for their commitment.
The weekend had started with Ferrari's bid to stop the regulation changes via a court injunction being denied. While the uncertainty over the legendary team's Formula 1 future lingered, the new squads that hope to capitalise on the current uncertainty started submitting their entries ahead of what will be a critical week for the world championship.
THE ACTION
Barrichello tops first Monaco practice
Rosberg heads second Monaco practice
Alonso tops final practice in Monaco
Button beats Raikkonen to Monaco pole
Button takes dominant Monaco win
THE BIG STORIES
Ferrari loses legal bid against FIA
Ferrari slams quality of new teams
Alonso worried over his F1 future
Button: Winning has turned me boring
Ecclestone worried Ferrari may leave F1
Hamilton: I am a stronger man now
Di Montezemolo: F1 teams are united
Teams fail to reach agreement with FIA
US F1 confirms 2010 entry submitted
Hamilton takes blame for costly mistake
Teams continue work on F1 agreement
Mosley: Cost cap solution in sight