Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was back to winning ways at Monaco, taking his first victory of the season and his second in the principality. Hamilton, who defended his lead against pole-sitter Daniel Ricciardo for 45 laps in drying conditions on the street circuit, thanked his mechanics and – in an unlikely twist – Nico Rosberg, who put the needs of the Mercedes team ahead of a simmering title rival to let a charging Hamilton through early on in proceedings.
Ricciardo was in less of a mood to be gracious towards his own team, after an error by Red Bull mechanics left him waiting a full ten seconds for slick tyres and cost him the lead. The Australian's 18-year-old teammate Max Verstappen, a stunning winner in Spain two weeks earlier, found himself apologising to Red Bull after crashing in qualifying and the race.
Halo effect
Perhaps the biggest news off the track at Monaco concerned one of the biggest changes to the open-wheel construction of Formula One cockpits in a generation. As drivers completed qualifying in Monte Carlo on Saturday, it was confirmed that the new 'halo' protective device would be mandatory for the 2017 season.
The halo, effectively a titanium frame which sits above the cockpit and wraps around the driver's head, has been chosen ahead of the Red Bull-backed 'aeroscreen' for next year after Formula One's rule-makers deemed it the readier of the two options. The aeroscreen, which is said to have performed unexpectedly poorly in recent tests, will be prepared for a potential 2018 launch.
The move also followed news late last week that the family of the late Jules Bianchi, who died last year from injuries suffered in an accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, were to pursue legal action against the Marussia team, the FIA and companies owned by Bernie Ecclestone.
His father, Philippe Bianchi, said in a statement: “As a family, we have so many unanswered questions and feel that Jules’ accident and death could have been avoided if a series of mistakes had not been made.”
Stewarts Law partner Julian Chamberlayne, representing the Bianchi family, added: “It was surprising and distressing to the Bianchi family that the FIA panel in its conclusions, whilst noting a number of contributing factors, blamed Jules. The Bianchi family are determined that this legal process should require those involved to provide answers and to take responsibility for any failings.”
New rubber
Away from such heavy matters, there were further glimpses of how Formula One cars might look in 2017 as Pirelli unveiled a prototype tyre.
The new units are still some way away from their final specifications but Pirelli caught the eye with a significantly wider model than in recent seasons, which appealed to purists but could give teams a considerable amount of catching up to do in testing.
“We are still developing the first prototypes, the front is currently 8.5kg and will increase by 1kg,” said Pirelli motorsport racing manager Mario Isola, speaking to Crash.net. “I am talking only about the tyres because then there is an additional weight because of the bigger rim. The rear tyre is now 10kg and it will be around 11.5kg, depending on the final version of the prototype.”
Isola added that Pirelli “will try some different shapes” before teams can begin full testing in August.
See and be seen
As ever, the Monaco Grand Prix underlined its status as the most glamorous event on the Formula One calendar. Justin Bieber was in attendance, blowing away even One Direction popster Louis Tomlinson in terms of sheer tweeny star wattage, while the likes of International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, actor Patrick Dempsey, rugby union superstar Dan Carter and feted Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri were also spotted in the paddock.
Perhaps the most significant sighting, however, was that of Automobile Club d'Italia president Angelo Sticchi Damiani, seen by the Corriere della Sera in conversation with Bernie Ecclestone over the future of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
“We addressed all the issues, directly and indirectly, on the issue of Monza,” Damiani said.
“I think one of the major problems have been too many misunderstandings and wrong interpretations. So I explained the situation clearly, indicating who can do what when it comes to the money.”
Monza's contract to host the race expires after the 2016 edition in September and its long-term fate has been the subject of speculation at each Formula One weekend so far on the calendar. Damiani refused to comment, however, on reports that former San Marino host Imola would try to work its way into negotiations.
Rio goes slow
It was a difficult weekend for Manor Racing's Rio Haryanto, who became the first Indonesian driver to race in the Monaco Grand Prix. The 23-year-old struggled with the conditions and with tyre temperatures as he limped home last of the 15 finishers, four laps behind Hamilton and two behind German teammate Pascal Wehrlein.
Haryanto is currently 23rd and bottom of the drivers' standings and rumours are circulating that Indonesian sponsor Pertamina, which has contributed a reported €5 million so far towards the cost of his seat at Manor, may not support him through the full season. Last week Haryanto's manager, Piers Hunnisett, said his client had funding in place until the halfway point of the season at the Hungaroring on 24th July.
“The sponsorship is all paid for up until the 11th race,” Piers Hunnisett said yesterday as preparations for the Monaco Grand Prix continued at Monte Carlo.
“No problem there. That’s fully paid. It’s just the process in Indonesia with the government.”
Hunnisett aims to have an agreement in place before the Canadian Grand Prix on 12th June, the next fixture on the calendar, where Haryanto is also hoping for a better showing.
“Although it’s been a tough day,” he said, “it has also been a real privilege to race in my first Monaco Grand Prix. Now we look forward to Canada, which is a track that should suit us better.”
Elsewhere in the paddock, Brazilian driver Felipe Massa hinted that 2016 could be his last season for Williams while a former Williams driver, Pastor Maldonado, revealed to Autosport that he was in talks with several teams about restarting a career on hiatus since he was dropped by Renault in the winter. The Venezuelan was heavily backed by state-owned oil and gas giant PDVSA during a five-year stint in Formula One.