MAY 9, 2010

Monaco split qualifying unlikely

Suggestions that Monaco qualifying should be run in split sessions due to the tightness of the circuit and the speed differential between the quickest teams and F1's new boys, require unanimous agreement and are unlikely to be passed.

Start, Monaco GP 2009
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Suggestions that Monaco qualifying should be run in split sessions due to the tightness of the circuit and the speed differential between the quickest teams and F1's new boys, require unanimous agreement and are unlikely to be passed.

The feeling is that the tight confines of the Monte Carlo street circuit will be exacerbated even more by the time differences that will exist between the likes of Red Bull and HRT. In Barcelona, Mark Webber's pace-seting Q1 time was almost 6s quicker than Bruno Senna's HRT lap.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh explained: "The speed differential makes it even more difficult for the drivers, including the slower ones, who are going to spend the lap trying not to impede anyone and get a penalty.

"Monaco is a very tight, confined and claustrophobic circuit in which to tame an F1 car. I don't think you want cars of such speed differentials on track at same time. However, inevitably, from midway down the grid and further back they actually want a lottery effect and therefore are unlikely to agree to any changes.

"I think the drivers themselves had a fairly sensible conversation about it and the teams will discuss it, but I suspect that we will have a Q1 with all cars on the track at the same time and all the challenges therein..."