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There are 8 former winners of a race at Monaco Grand Prix, in three different categories, among the very competitive field of drivers entered in this year’s 4th Monaco E-Prix. Two of them won in F2, formerly called GP2, Sam Bird and Stoffel Vandoorne. Most of the 24 drivers know this track, except five who had never experienced the long F1 version (3.3km) until this morning.
In 2009, Oliver Turvey won a Formula Renault race in the streets of Monaco, then René Rast won as well the next two years, but aboard a Porsche entered in the very glamourous SuperCup. Another talented British driver, Sam Bird, beat all his rivals two years in a row, but in two different categories, Formula Renault in 2012, then GP2 (now F2) in 2013. That same year, Nico Müller won the Formula Renault race included in the schedule of the World Series by Renault. A rookie this year in FE, Norman Nato also won in this category, in 2014. And two weeks only after the first ever Monaco E-Prix, in May 2015, Stoffel Vandoorne won in GP2 (F2), just like Bird.
Two years later, in 2017, Oliver Rowland won the feature race in F2 (formerly GP2), on Saturday, while Nyck de Vries won the sprint race on Sunday morning. The Dutch wonder, who lead the FE World Championship after Valencia last month, for Mercedes EQ, doubled his tally in 2019, still in F2, when he won the feature race for ART Grand Prix.
Among the 24 drivers on the grid this Saturday, five only never used the track in F1 Grand Prix mode : Jake Dennis, Alexander Sims, André Lotterer, Nick Cassidy and Tom Blomqvist. They all discovered the 3.3km version this morning during free practice 1 and 2. Last but not least, five of them, as well, raced here in F1 : Seb Buemi, Jean-Eric Vergne, Stoffel Vandoorne, Pascal Werhlein, Luca di Grassi. The best result was achieved by JEV, 8th in 2013 in a Toro Rosso with a Ferrari engine.
Robin Frijns, the Dutch leader of the Envision Virgin team, is now leading the Formula E World Championship after the Monaco race, although he has not yet won a race in Season 7. Thanks to 62 points collected in 7 races and less than three months, he is ahead of three Top Teams, Mercedes EQ (De Vries 2nd, Vandoorne 6th), Jaguar (Evans 3rd, Bird 5th) and DS Techeetah (Da Costa 4th, Vergne 7th). All the drivers of these three teams have won at least one race this season, except Evans. Mercedes EQ is still leading the Constructors Championship, despite a terrible Saturday in the streets of the Principality (De Vries 20th, Vandoorne 22nd).
Formula E World Championship standings after Monaco (Race 7):
Drivers:
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Constructors:
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The history between the Monegasque circuit and electric races started in 2015. Launched few months ago in Pekin on September 2014, Formula E is the only single-seater motorsport championship that uses only electric cars and recognized by the FIA. 11 dates are on the calendar for this first season, with only temporary city-centre street circuits. 10 teams are enlisted on the Championship, who shows the interest of famous manufacturers as Renault, Audi or even Venturi.
For this first year, Monaco, with its legendary street circuit was a key essential venue for the promotor on its calendar. « This is the most traditional race in the history” said the Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag. “The first Grand Prix back to 14 April 1929. This remains a very important date. And this Saturday will also register as another historic moment for the Formula E and for Monaco as well. A special day for the whole motorsport. »
Round seven of the FIA Formula E Championship, the first edition of the Monaco ePrix took place on May 9, 2015, on a revisited track: 12-turns, 1.76km layout which uses the same start-finish line and pit complex but rather than continue up the hill to Casino Square the cars will take a sharp turn at Sainte Devote and re-join at the exit of the tunnel.
Monaco Grand Prix race winner (2004 / Renault) Jarno Trulli said: “I think it’s a reasonably good track and obviously the location is fantastic. It takes in half of the Formula 1 circuit, which is enough for the Formula E car and I’m sure it’s going to be good for overtaking. You can see that going down into the first corner there is a hairpin, then we head rearwards down towards the tunnel (Turn 3), where there is another hard braking with a possible overtaking point.”
The Italian driver was right. The start of this 2015 Monaco ePrix was marked by a big collision between Daniel Abt and Bruno Senna after few meters in the race, forcing the safety car to intervene.
Former Toro Rosso driver in F1, Sébastien Buemi, who claimed pole position, dominated the entirety of this first electric race in the history of the Principality. Despite the attempts of the Brazilian Lucas di Grassi (early pit stop), the Swiss driver of the e.dams Renault Team was the first to cross the finish line. The podium was complete by two Brazilians (di Grassi & Piquet). With the Fan Boost use, Jean-Eric Vergne did the fastest lap.
“Winning in Monaco is a special feeling. I knew nobody had ever won in Formula E starting from the pole position so I’m glad to get there”.
Suspense for the 4 following races on the Formula E calendar. This trio on the podium is now in the first 3 places. Few weeks later, Nelson Piquet Jr. will become the first driver to win the Formula E Championship, one point ahead of Sebastien Buemi. This first edition will remain a sporting success and in terms of public attendance with full grandstand on this Saturday 09 May.
Full race :
https://youtu.be/nLz5M6fWIIo
Photos : Michael Alesi / Jean-Marc Follete
Fifty years after its maiden overall win on the Monte-Carlo Rally in 1971, Alpine returned to the crown jewel of the FIA World Rally Championship calendar. Despite tricky and unpredictable conditions, the five Alpine A110 Rallys at the start made it to the finish and dominated the FIA R-GT and two-wheel drive categories.
Victorious on its reappearance on the world rally scene last month at the ACI Rally Monza, Alpine renewed its relationship with a genuine motorsport monument this weekend.
Known for its atypical conditions that can include rain, snow, ice and fog in the same special stage, the Monte-Carlo Rally remains one of the most prestigious events on the international calendar.
Dreaded by everyone, its challenges enabled Alpine to forge its legend: first with the category win of Jacques Feret with the Alpine A108 in 1964, then the success of Ove Andersson in the Alpine A110 1600S in 1971, and finally the sweep of the podium by the Alpine A110 1800s to begin the World Rally Championship in 1973.
Despite an itinerary adapted to curfew measures and an edition held without spectators, the 89th Monte-Carlo Rally lived up to all its promise by offering competitors the full range of all the possible traps for the 110th anniversary of the event.
In his first Monte-Carlo Rally, Manu Guigou led the Alpine A110 Rallys to victory in the R-GT and two-wheel drive categories while finishing 22nd overall. Leader of the R-GT category from SS2, the Frenchman won ahead of 2018 FIA R-GT Champion Raphaël Astier and Cédric Robert.
Thanks to these impressive performances, Alpine can worthily celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first overall victory in Monte-Carlo in 1971. Just like this year, Alpine demonstrated extraordinary reliability as five of the Alpine A110s entered officially completed the rally back then!
After the cancellation of the Historic and Formula 1 Grands Prix due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the Automobile Club de Monaco, following the bad weather related to the Alex Storm, decided to give up the kick-off of the 5th E-Rallye Monte-Carlo, which was to be held from October 22 to 25.
This 5thedition promised to be brilliant, due to the record number of 49 entries which was a world first in the discipline.
The distress of the inhabitants, especially of the Vesubie and Roya valleys, could only encourage us to consider the tragedies that have occurred, rather than the interest of a sporting event.
Consequently, the Organizing Committee of the 5thE-Rallye Monte-Carlo has decided to cancel the event altogether.
On the other hand, the staff of Marshals actually available are ready to help the municipalities affected by the disaster.
Already, in consultation with the town halls concerned, three convoys are sent in the direction of Bollene-Vesubie, Breil sur Roya and Tende, with essential equipment, taking into account in particular the early winter conditions which aggravate the situation.
Devastated by the tragedy, the Automobile Club de Monaco and its volunteers are profoundly motivated and enlisted by this solidarity and mutual aid operation…
Monaco, October 7, 2020
For this 5th edition of the E-Rallye Monte-Carlo, the Automobile Club de Monaco beats its participation record with 49 crews registered.
See you from the 22nd to the 25th October 2020.
For this 2020 edition of the E-Rallye Monte-Carlo, the Organizing Committee of the Automobile Club de Monaco has decided to focus its event exceptionally around the Principality by proposing, despite the actual situation, a new route, in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments.
Reducing the total mileage but not the number of 220 stage kilometers, as stipulated by the international regulations of the discipline, while keeping an equivalent number of regularity stages (SR), this was the equation to be solved, to allow competitors to make the most of the event in a minimum number of competition days. The Organizing Committee of the Automobile Club de Monaco has adapted to redefine the route as a whole and offers an alternative to the initial plans which should delight all participants. But this concentration does not mean simplification of the E-Rally Monte-Carlo difficulties, it is a certainty!
Provisional Program
Publication of the Supplementary Regulations & Opening date for entries:
Friday 21st August 2020
Closing date for entries:
Friday 25th September 2020
Entry list publication:
Friday 2nd October 2020
LEG 1 – Thursday 22/10/2020 (150 km)
Start from MONACO – Quai des États-Unis
SR 1 – La Bollène-Vésubie / Peïra-Cava (Alpes-Maritimes)
SR 2 – La Cabanette / Coaraze (Alpes-Maritimes)
Back to MONACO – Quai des États-Unis
LEG 2 – FRIDAY 23/10/2020 (360 km)
Start from MONACO – Quai des États-Unis
SR 3 – Col de Gratteloup / Vidauban (Var)
SR 4 – Grimaud / Gonfaron (Var)
Regroup – Le Luc (Var)
SR 5 – La Motte / Bagnols-en-Forêt (Var)
SR 6 – Pont de Pré-Claou / Montauroux (Var)
Back to MONACO – Quai des États-Unis
LEG 3 – Saturday 24/10/2020 (120 km)
Start from MONACO – Quai des États-Unis
SR 7 – Col de Castillon / La Cabanette (Alpes-Maritimes)
SR 8 – Peïra-Cava / Sospel (Alpes-Maritimes)
Back to MONACO – Quai des États-Unis
LEG 4 – Saturday & Sunday 24-25/10/2020 (120 km)
Start from MONACO – Quai des États-Unis
SR 9 – Sospel / Peïra-Cava (Alpes-Maritimes)
SR 10 – La Cabanette / Col de Castillon (Alpes-Maritimes)
Back to MONACO – Quai des États-Unis
Monaco, June 12, 2020
Thierry Neuville – Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai), winner
“We had an incredible feeling the last couple of days and we were able to catch back the time. We have been chasing this win for a while but we showed our performance this weekend and it’s a great way to start the season.”
Sébastien Ogier – Julien Ingrassia (Toyota), 2ème
“I think we can be happy with the start of the season and starting with a podium with the new team is very good. There is some way to go to extract all of the potential from this car but I really enjoyed it.”
Elfyn Evans – Scott Martin (Toyota), 3ème
“We were happy until last night – I can’t say I have been happy today. It never really clicked really and I’m not sure of the reason. There’s some work to do but overall a positive weekend.”
After SS 12, Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin lead the Rallye Monte-Carlo 2020.
One day to go and you lead Monte Carlo, Elfyn. How was your day?
Not easy, to be honest. Looking back I’ve maybe been a bit careful at times, but at the same time we have to count our lucky stars – we were properly in ditch on last stage, but every now and then you need a bit of luck. Overall it’s been pretty solid, but it was probably our run through that second stage this morning that has put us in this position now.
That second stage was incredible. Did you surprise yourself?
Maybe a little bit. It’s very difficult, you try to balance the risk with how much you push when you know you have an ice section at the end of that stage. It’s difficult to know how much to manage. I tried to be as smooth as I could and we had a good run over the ice – but I can’t tell you if it worked or not.
There’s just 6.4 seconds between you all tonight- what do you have to do to take this victory?
We have to stay focused and keep doing everything we can. We’re not sure what we’re going to be faced with tomorrow yet. Hopefully it’ll be a little bit nicer conditions than today, but you can never tell with Turini. We know we’re going to be pushed very, very hard all of the way. There’s nothing we can do about that, we have to just keep going.
Tricky conditions coming tomorrow – what do you think you’ll do about tyres?
Luckily we don’t do it tonight, or it would be a lottery. Turini is always challenging, it’s never an easy section. I’m sure we can do well. We already had a big fight with Thierry last year, so we know the notes are proved, but the driving has to be delivered tomorrow. The feeling is good in the Yaris, I hope this can carry on tomorrow.
You have six wins on the trot here, but still you want this win so bad tomorrow…
It’s quite funny we fight so hard for this victory. Monte Carlo must be so important to win, because we know if we win this one then we know we will not win the next one – we would be in trouble in Sweden or Mexico opening the road. But it shows how important Monte Carlo is in our eyes, it’s maybe the most iconic round of the championship. I’m sure it will be interesting for the fans tomorrow and I’m sure we’re going to have fun.
Maybe a little blip this morning Thierry, but a really strong afternoon…
I don’t know if there was a blip, to be honest. We have also done quite well over the day, but Elfyn was incredibly fast on that second stage – he surprised us all I think. You just have to be cautious in a couple of places and you easily lose one or two seconds in a couple of corners. At the end of the stage you lose 10 seconds in one stage and it’s hard to catch that back. I’m really happy we were able to set two fastest times this afternoon and come back to the fight for the lead.
Everyone wants to win here?
Especially when you have been so close. We started the final stage last year with a similar gap to this one tonight and I have to copy and paste the first three stages and then do better in the Power Stage. We don’t know what it’s going to be like tomorrow, but I can tell you everybody will do their best and nobody will give up. We’re going to sweat a lot and it’s going to be hard, but it’s going to be an exciting battle.
Is Elfyn ready to step up to the fight for the title?
I think it’s not just a feeling, the proof is there – he is sitting in the middle tonight. We have already been in this situation in Corsica last year. He has a great talent and a great speed and he feels very comfortable straight away with this new car – that’s promising for him and for everybody else in the coming events, but hopefully we can have the upper hand!
After SS 8, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia lead the Rallye Monte-Carlo 2020.
Séb, tell us about your day…
Overall it’s been a good day. The morning was not bad, but Elfyn definitely did better. In this case you know there’s room to improve if your team-mate is going faster. I worked at the midday service on the set-up and with my gravel-note crew. I was not having so much confidence, they were too much on the safe side and we lose time with that. But overall I’m happy with the day, we stay ahead of Thierry, it’s not a big gap, but we have to continue like this.
We saw Thierry open a big gap on stage two last night, but today shows things change quickly…
That’s the rally where a gap can happen, we know that’s possible. From what I heard there might still be some surprises coming before the end of the weekend. Tomorrow we can still have some ice, it’s not so much, but when you drive with the slick tyre it’s not easy. The feeling is good and I hope we can stay in the fight to the end.
It’s been your first full day with the team, how’s it been?
Yeah, step–by–step. It wasn’t perfect this morning, I did’t have so much confidence, especially on the bumpy section. But in the same time, like we discussed Elfyn was able to do better, and when your team-mate can do this there’s room [for you] to go faster. Sometimes you don’t need much change, we did small things at midday and I felt better in the afternoon.
Elfyn, you dominated the morning – were you surprised at the speed you showed so early on?
We knew the testing had been good, but you can never know how that will translate onto the rally. To be honest, I felt immediately quite comfortable in the car. I found the feeling from the test and that gave me confidence to drive well. I wasn’t trying to be crazy or stupid, just drive to a good rhythm. But this is tricky, this is the Monte and it never feels so safe. We’ll continue to drive well stage-by-stage. Seb turned the screw a little bit this afternoon, let’s see what comes tomorrow.
Do you have more pace?
At the end of the day this is Monte Carlo, it’s not really the rally where you take crazy risks. I have to hope to find the good feeling from the morning.
There’s a tricky stage to start tomorrow – it’s the one that caught you out last year…
Yeah, we were just discussing that. There might be a little bit more of a lift, I’ll give him [Ogier] a few tenths there.
Thierry, you had an amazing time in the second stage last night, but there’s still all to play for here?
Definitely there’s still all play for. We are still in the fight for victory. I hope for a much better day. We had the good feeling yesterday, it was a great start and I was able to drive very fast in tricky conditions. This morning was all more complicated and I struggle for rhythm and I could not find confidence. I worked with Dani to improve our language to get more competitive and each stage was starting to look a little bit better. I look forward to tomorrow.
Dani Sordo is your safety crew driver – you’re his boss now!
Dani is a very nice guy and I’m very happy the way he jumped in when Brun [Thiry] got sick. This was the only quick solution and he is one of the only guys I put a lot of confidence in. I will try to improve our collaboration, but of course it’s only for this rally. On the next rally we are competitors again.
You saw the marks where your team-mate Ott Tänak went off, that slowed you down?
That’s not what you want to see when somebody goes off at such a fast place. I thought he had restarted because people were slowing me down, so I thought he’d gone [off] again. I was told at the end of the stage he’d had a big crash. Now we have all seen the footage, it’s very impressive. It’s good to see our cars are safe.
