Formula 1 2013 Monaco Grand Prix – Rosberg Reigns In Principality
The Midfield Nico Hulkenberg looked on for a point for Sauber before losing out to Raikkonen on the final lap to finish 11th, summing up another disappointing weekend for the Swiss team. They suffered with tyre problems, wearing through to the steel belts, and top speed problems, with Gutierrez taking 13th in his Monaco debut. Neither driver was able to make much impact on the race and will hope for much more in Montreal. After a lot of promise, Williams endured another painful outing, taking 12th with Bottas and Maldonado ending up in the barriers thanks to a collision with Max Chilton. The car looked much stronger this weekend in the unique challenge of Monte Carlo, but in the race they were unable to utilise their pace when they had it, before Maldonado destroyed the crash barriers at Tabac and brought out the red flag. The Tail End Max Chiltons Monaco debut was an eventful one, as he raced with the Caterham of Van Der Garde at the back. On lap 46 he was slow out of the chicane as he raced with Gutierrez, then pulled across on Maldonado towards Tabac, not realising he was along side him and hitting his front wheel and wing with his rear right, catapulting him into the barriers and causing the red flag. To make it worse, Bianchi then broke his front wing in the ensuing carnage as he followed Maldonado into the corner and had to pit. Chilton was given a drive-through penalty for his actions, but raced hard in the closing stages to overtake Van Der Garde on the penultimate lap and take 14th, beating Caterham for the bragging rights. Bianchis weekend was a tough one, and during the race he worked to preserve his tyres and race his teammate. Following the accident with Maldonado, he was still in the action before a right front brake disc failed and he crashed at Ste Devote on lap 60. Caterhams weekend failed to pan out as they hoped after a great qualifying. Van Der Garde got caught up with Maldonado on the first lap, having to pit for a new nose and suffering floor damage. The safety car allowed him to un-lap himself, and from there he raced as hard as possible, gifted positions by accidents and penalties. However near the end tyre degradation overcame them, and he struggled for pace and was eventually overtaken by Chilton. It was however a great race for him, and shows good potential. Pics race didnt last too long overall, as after a great start that put him up to 15th place, he had to retire on lap 10 after a gearbox problem caused his Caterham to catch fire. He almost made it back to the pits, and the marshals cleared the car away efficiently, but it was a disappointing weekend in the end where Marussia beat them after their recent spell on top.