2007 MONACO GRAND PRIX FREE PRACTICE
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Fernando Alonso dominated
today’s two free practice sessions for the Monaco Grand
Prix emerging fastest from both with times of 1m16.973 and
1m15.940. Lewis Hamilton was second in the first session with
1m17.601 and ended third in the second session with 1m16.296
despite going off at St. Devote with 30 minutes to go. Fernando
completed 33 and 40 laps whilst Lewis did 14 and 19 laps.
Practice Session One:
Fernando: Lewis:
10.02: out / in
10.20: 4 laps, best 1:20.191
10.32: 9 laps, best 1:18.222
10.57: 10 laps, best 1:16.973 (1st)
11.20: 9 laps, best 1:18.623 10.01: out / in
10.16: 5 laps, best 1:18.686
10.32: 9 laps, best 1:17.601 (2nd)
Practice Session Two:
Fernando: Lewis:
14.05: 7 laps, best 1:18.450
14.29: 8 laps, best 1:17.614
14.49: 13 laps, best 1:16.211
15.16: 12 laps, best 1:15.940 (1st) 14.04: 5 laps, best 1:17.587
14.25: 12 laps, best 1:16.296 (3rd)
14.54: 2 laps, off at St. Devote
FAST FACTS
Why did Lewis not run in the second half of the first practice
session?
The starter motor broke and left a piece of debris in the
back of the gearbox. The team had to remove the floor of the
car in order to remove the debris.
Traditionally in Monaco Steinmetz has diamonds incorporated
into either the driver’s helmets or the steering wheel.
What are they doing this year?
This year Steinmetz in conjunction with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
engineers have manufactured bespoke diamond helmets for both
Fernando and Lewis. The words "Monaco 07" have been
emblazoned in whiter diamonds across the both sides of the
helmets.
FERNANDO ALONSO
"As always free practice was focused on testing the different
tyre compounds made available to us by Bridgestone as well
as finding the right balance with the set-up. We made good
progress and the car feels good. Monaco is a unique circuit
with the close barriers and also traffic - it’s very
easy to get a flying lap ruined, but that is the challenge
for everybody. I think we are in good shape, and with some
more fine tuning during Saturday morning practice we are definitely
looking forward to a competitive weekend."
LEWIS HAMILTON
"Today was the first time I ever drove a Formula 1 car
around Monaco, and it was awesome. I have obviously had experience
of the circuit from Formula 3 and GP2, but in a Formula 1
car it’s very different. I found out how unforgiving
the track can be when I went off in the second session causing
some damage to the car. I’m obviously sorry as there
will be a bit of work for the guys but until then everything
had been going smoothly, and we were able to set some competitive
lap times. I had a very small braking error coming into St.
Devote, and the tyres hadn’t built up enough grip so
I made a tiny mistake, and the back of the car slipped a little
and that was it - there is just no room for error in Monaco."
RON DENNIS
"As always the Monaco Grand Prix presents some unique
challenges for both drivers and teams and today’s practice
was no exception. Both our cars look competitive, and Fernando
in particular was able to complete a lot of running. The problem
with the starter motor in the first session and Lewis’s
off in the second practice cost him some time, but we have
plenty of data to analyse to put both drivers in the best
possible position to fight for pole position."
NORBERT HAUG
"Overall a good first day for us with a little bad luck
on Lewis’s side who was caught out in the first corner
on a fresh set of tyres which obviously had not built up enough
grip at this stage - however before he was strong as was Fernando.
On Saturday and Sunday our goal is to be as competitive as
today."
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