Grapevine: Final News from the Paddock

Stars Shine in Monte Carlo

As usual the shimmering Monaco harbour brought out the best in Formula One with parties and celebrations littering the tiny principality with glitz, glamour and a generous helping of stars. The soccer world was well represented, with England's Sol Campbell, Welshman Ryan Giggs, Dutch star Edgar Davids, and Brazilian legends Pele and Ronaldo all in attendance.

But they were just the beginning. Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker and potential future boxing world champion Audley Harrison were both present while the entertainment world was represented by singer Puff Daddy and model Rachel Hunter. In the royalty stakes, Prince Ranier of Monaco was, of course, at the race, but Sarah Ferguson was late when her helicopter broke down on the day of the race. Who says the glamour of Formula One is dead?

Monaco is the Pits

Monaco may be the most glamorous event on the calendar, but it is perhaps one of the hardest races for the teams to cope with. But maybe for not much longer. The cramped garage facilities sandwiched between the swimming pool complex and the start line could soon be replaced by a modern new facility which falls more into line with the current Formula One ethos.

It is rumoured that a brand new set of garages will be constructed where the current pits and pit lane are, and that a new pit lane will be constructed beside the swimming pool at a cost that will run into millions of pounds.

Not So Fast Rubens

Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello wracked up speeding fine number two on the Thursday practice in Monaco but because he was just 1.2 km/h over the limit the FIA put a pitiful sum on the illegality. He was fined just $500 (US Dollars) for his over-zealous efforts, a much smaller sum than that dished out to him following a similar offence during the race in Austria.

Formula One Stands Still

Monaco welcomed the arrival of two impressive statues around the circuit, but unlike the bizarre black cat which stood large on the grass outside the Casino Square, the new sculptures were more in keeping with the event taking place at the circuit. One, at Portier, was a creation in the shape of a modern Grand Prix car.

The other was a sculpture of the Bugatti driven to victory in the very first Monaco Grand Prix back in 1929 and, sitting on a roundabout on the inside of Sainte Devote, was perhaps fortunate to escape being clattered by the errant Prost of Luciano Burti in Saturday practice.

Predictive Starting

A great deal of what happened in the Monaco race could have been predicted from looking at the practice starts teams were allowed to do after the morning warm up session on the race day itself. David Coulthard did his rival Michael Schumacher a favour by undertaking his practice start on the side of the track from which the German would start the race proper and Mika Hakkinen had problems getting away after sitting on the grid struggling with the system for around 30 seconds.

Of course, in the race it was Coulthard's McLaren which suffered the problems and Michael Schumacher's Ferrari which was helped away into an unassailable lead by the extra grid Coulthard's rubber provided.