As is traditional the first two practice sessions in Monaco were held on Thursday instead of Friday.
Heavy rain and hail fell before the afternoon running, meaning the session got off to a very quiet start.
However Kimi Raikkonen’s running ended soon after it began. And he then had a near-miss with Sebastian Vettel’s car in the pits – a Red Bull mechanic had to drag him out of the way before Vettel blasted out of his pit box.
Here are today’s Twitter highlights.
First practice
McLaren had a power unit problem with @JensonButton‘s car and broke curfew last night. 1st joker of year. #F1
— Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) May 22, 2014
Only race drivers participating in practice today, no testers, as they need as much time as possible to acclimatise to Monaco.
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) May 22, 2014
It’s time for #FP1 in #Monaco and our engineers are ready on the unique pitwall! pic.twitter.com/BY1AgQeWEk
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) May 22, 2014
Max Chilton was in the wars early on, ending the session after just seven laps.
Chilton alters the racing line around Mirabeau. #F1 pic.twitter.com/mxSFraPX5I
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) May 22, 2014
Ricciardo: “Took a long time for the fronts to get up. On the last lap clipped the right-front at turn 15, just have a look.” #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) May 22, 2014
Sutil: “The rear just snapped, I wasn’t even pushing.” He made light contact with the barrier and his car is being craned away. #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) May 22, 2014
I'm sorry but honestly ! The cars sound even worse here (Monaco) – like mopeds with touch of catarrh #f1
— Byron Young (@byronf1) May 22, 2014
In Monaco, where you go deaf halfway through FP1 with the noise bouncing off the high rises, I don't hear complaints about 'quiet' F1 cars.
— f1bastard (@f1bastard) May 22, 2014
Alonso backs away from the marshals after going off at Mirabeau. #F1 pic.twitter.com/JqajWtWvir
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) May 22, 2014
Whole process in FP1/2/3 is all about building confidence ahead of 1 crucial lap on Saturday afternoon that normally determines your race.
— Marc Priestley (@f1elvis) May 22, 2014
The low road and the high road at the hairpin this morning. Not too bad a view! pic.twitter.com/Q5sxXiCSiI
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) May 22, 2014
FP1 ends and the rain starts. Say goodbye to all the rubber laid down this morning…
— Caterham F1 Team (@CaterhamF1) May 22, 2014
Second practice
The afternoon session began on a wet track. Most drivers opted to stay in the pits as the rest of the weekend is expected to be dry.
1pm and the street lights are on in Monaco. Heavy dark clouds engulf the Principality.
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) May 22, 2014
Rain rain go away But please come back another day Like Saturday, just before quali please, or about 1430 on Sunday (Sorry for the rhyme)
— Caterham F1 Team (@CaterhamF1) May 22, 2014
Not just rain, it’s hail pouring on Monaco. Black skies! #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/GKF4jE9qBs
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) May 22, 2014
The rain has stopped. FP2 is about to start. Bring it on
— Jon Noble (@NobleF1) May 22, 2014
New approach to getting in the car for @ValtteriBottas – important to keep the feet dry! #FP2 #BO77AS pic.twitter.com/UHDMCsWf0g
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) May 22, 2014
Wheelspin all the way down the straight from the chicane to Tabac from BOTTAS. Mega #F1 #MonacoGP
— Glenn Freeman (@glenn_autosport) May 22, 2014
Half an hour, still no lap time set. Pretty appalling for all those who’ve paid to come…
— Daniel Johnson (@danielt_johnson) May 22, 2014
An hour and a half ago the stands were empty and the track was full of #GP2 cars. Now the stands are full but the track is empty. #F1
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) May 22, 2014
Kvyat discovers the run-off area at Sainte Devote. #F1 pic.twitter.com/Th0rZE3R1A
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) May 22, 2014
It was dry enough for slick tyres in the final minutes of the session and 21 drivers were on track for an exciting conclusion of the day’s running.
Vergne immediately goes fastest by five seconds on his soft tyres, 1’26.002. #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) May 22, 2014
Frantic last 10 mins of FP2. Nervous time for those watching from the garages.
— Marc Priestley (@f1elvis) May 22, 2014
Alonso’s final effort is a 1’18.482 to go quickest again. #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) May 22, 2014
After the action
Comments on Fernando Alonso’s efforts after Luca di Montezemolo said his driver “gives 200%”.
Good job Fernando Alonso was giving 200%. Had he only given 100%, his laptime would have been a 2m36.964s in that session…
— Edd Straw (@eddstrawF1) May 22, 2014
Well, well. A little cuddle, a few complimentary words from the boss and Alonso is top of the times #f1
— Byron Young (@byronf1) May 22, 2014
His team mate Kimi Raikkonen, meanwhile, was steered of Sebastian Vettel’s path in the pit lane.
Raikkonen dragged aside as Vettel does practice start. “Kimi was obviously keen to get run over,” said Vettel. #F1 pic.twitter.com/4UudzICgnu
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) May 22, 2014
Good session & really pleased to get those last few laps in the dry this afternoon which was a big plus. I just love racing here! #MonacoGP
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) May 22, 2014
The 2014 engines sounded pretty good in here today. Perhaps all F1 races should be run indoors! pic.twitter.com/35xzNTC4yJ
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) May 22, 2014
The Formula Renault 3.5 drivers were also in action today:
This is the limit! FP1 just kiss the wall. No damage #Monaco pic.twitter.com/ZOUIhR3wrR
— Roberto Merhi (@robertomerhi) May 22, 2014
First day is finished. FP1 was a quite good session then FP2 we only drove a couple of laps in the end… http://t.co/cQlgegenLQ
— Marcus Ericsson (@Ericsson_Marcus) May 22, 2014
…of course, for some people the sheer excitement of Monaco is just too much. pic.twitter.com/mETenV1n16
— Red Bull Racing Spy (@redbullf1spy) May 22, 2014
Alonso’s commitment today in Monaco was beyond the call of duty but immensely impressive. Abrasive guy, but you’d want him in your gang.
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) May 22, 2014
30 years ago I was the pit board man for Jacques Laffite at Monaco in between my sponsor duties for Williams.Blimey, where those years gone?
— Richard West (@number1orator) May 22, 2014
F1 Fanatic on Twitter
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- F1 Fanatic: F1 Tweets straight from the editor including links to all new articles
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- F1 Fanatic Update: Just links to new articles on F1 Fanatic – nothing else
2014 Monaco Grand Prix
- New radio reveals Hamilton’s suspicions in Monaco
- Bianchi wins Driver of the Weekend with first points
- Second-highest score of the year so far for Monaco
- 2014 Monaco Grand Prix fans’ video gallery
- New leader after three perfect Monaco predictions
Image © Ferrari/Ercole Colombo
HiPn0tIc (@hipn0tic)
22nd May 2014, 22:01
TOD should be Daniel Johnson’s, it’s a thing to see, because F1 is still a show…