Posted on 26th May 2014
Following a controversial Saturday afternoon qualifying, Nico Rosberg started the Monaco Grand Prix on pole position ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
With their relationship seemingly strained, all eyes were on how they would battle off the line and into turn one.
The formation lap saw the end of Maldonado as his Lotus failed to leave the grid and he was wheeled into the pit lane to end his race.
As the lights went out Rosberg made a textbook start and led comfortably into turn one, closely followed by his team-mate Hamilton and defending World Champion Vettel.
Raikkonen made a stunning start and somehow found himself in 4th going through turn one.
The first lap saw the end of Sergio Perez's race as he collided with the wall following a tag from former team-mate Button exiting Mirabeau. This incident created a blockage meaning we would see an early safety car.
Lap 4 and the safety car made its way into the pits with Rosberg backing up the pack. He made another great getaway as he put the hammer down out of the corner, with Lewis Hamilton staying close. Sebastian Vettel, had a problem and began dropping down the field at a rapid rate. Vettel made it into the pits but only to come out a lap down and with minimal drive. Race over for the World Champion.
With Vettel’s issues and retirement, Raikkonen found himself in 3rd and going well ahead of Ricciardo and Alonso in the second Ferrari.
Following Maldonados retirement, Chilton, Bianchi and Gutierrez were each issued with 5 second stop go penalties for moving up a grid spot.
With so little room to overtake, the running order stayed consistent until a big accident for Adrian Sutil at the chicane on lap 28. With debris across the track, the safety car was once again deployed.
Cars began to make their way into the pits with Hamilton forced to drop back from his team-mate to prevent losing time waiting for Rosberg in the Mercedes pit.
Upon release Hamiltons emotions were running high. Across the team radio he asked “why didn't we pit the lap before? It was obvious that was going to happenâ€. This wouldn't be the end to Hamiltons frustrations.
Raikkonen encountered problems and was forced to stop twice in as many laps following a puncture. His race now significantly compromised,he rejoined way down the order.
During the stops Vergne was given a stop go penalty due to unsafe release from his pits. An accident was averted due to exceptional driving from Magnussen in the McLaren.
With very little action at the front, it gave several drivers lower down the field a chance to make a name for themselves, with Hulkenberg more than happy to take his moment. He pulled off an incredible move on the inside of Portier.
Another man on a mission was Jules Bianchi, who battered his way past Kobayashi going through La Rascasse. Bianchi was now in sight of the points and was pushing hard to make Marussias dreams come true.
Engine problems ended Bottas and Gutierrez races, with marshalls doing a great job clearing any debris and both cars with minimal fuss.
As the race drew into the closing stages Hamilton was still within 2 seconds of Rosberg until an eye issue caused him to drop 8 seconds behind his team-mate.
Ricciardo, now 3rd could sense an issue with Hamilton and began to close at the rate of 1 second a lap.
Hamilton seemingly over his blip was battling hard to keep Ricciardo behind him.
With the battle intensifying behind, Nico Rosberg was out front and in control and was not to be beaten this weekend.
Ricciardo tried everything but the superior power of the Mercedes proved just enough to enable Hamilton to keep him at bay.
Rosberg took the victory for the second time this season with team-mate Hamilton in second and RIcciardo a close third.
The biggest celebrations were in the Marrussia garage as Bianchi crossed the line in 8th (later demoted to 9th due to a 5 second penalty) to score Marrussias first ever F1 points.
Laser cut Monaco www.grahamandleigh.co.uk
2014 Monaco Grand Prix results;
1. Rosberg
2. Hamilton
3. Ricciardo
4. Alonso
5. Hulkenberg
6. Button
7. Massa
8. Grosjean
9. Bianchi
10. Magnussen
11. Ericsson
12. Raikkonen
13. Kobayashi
14. Chilton
DNF; Gutierrez, Bottas, Vergne, Sutil, Kvyat, Vettel, Perez, Maldonado
2014 World Drivers Championship
1. Rosberg 122
2. Hamilton 118
3. Alonso 61
4. Ricciardo 54
5. Hulkenberg 47
6. Vettel 45
7. Bottas 34
8. Button 31
9. Magnussen 21
10. Perez 20
11. Massa 18
12. Raikkonen 17
13. Grosjean 8
14. Vergne 4
15. Kvyat 4
16. Bianchi 2
17. Ericsson 0
18. Gutierrez 0
19. Chilton 0
20. Kobayashi 0
21. Maldonado 0
The next race is Canada, where no doubt the Merecedes drivers rivalry will continue, it remains to be seen whether they will be on speaking terms by then.
As usual, we will be reporting on all the F1 events over the weekend here on Driving for Pleasure
Special thanks to Kevin Bennett for his great photography this weekend www.kevinbennettphotography.co.uk
