Sunday, Race Day – Button Takes Dominant 1-2 For Brawn, Ferrari 3rd & 4thFull race report can be read here
Jenson Button continued his dream start to the 2009 season in Monaco
by leading Brawn’s second straight one-two sweep, beating his team-mate
Rubens Barrichello again.
Ferrari enjoyed its best race of the year so far to take third and
fourth with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, but Mark Webber’s fifth
place was little consolation for Brawn’s usual main rival Red Bull,
which saw Sebastian Vettel crash out early on…
Classified:
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Button Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) 1h40:44.282
2. Barrichello Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) + 7.666
3. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) + 13.443
4. Massa Ferrari (B) + 15.110
5. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) + 15.730
6. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) + 33.586
7. Alonso Renault (B) + 37.839
8. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 1:03.142
9. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) + 1:05.040
10. Glock Toyota (B) + 1 lap
11. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) + 1 lap
12. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 1 lap
13. Trulli Toyota (B) + 1 lap
14. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) + 1 lap
15. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) + 2 laps
Fastest lap: Massa, 1:15.154Not classified/retirements:Driver Team On lap
Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 52
Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 31
Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 16
Piquet Renault (B) 11
Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 11
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Post-race press conference – Monaco :Q. (Heikki Kulta – Turun Sanomat) Kimi, did Felipe make it difficult to keep third place?
KR: It wasn’t easy for me. I needed to push all the time. We
tried to push anyhow, to jump Rubens in the pit stops but we couldn’t.
I didn’t know how many more laps Felipe had than me but I knew that it
was going to be close but in the end it was not very close. I was
pushing all the time anyhow. We knew it was going to be pretty tight
but in the end it turned out to be pretty easy. After that we could
slow down and just save the brakes and tyres and speed up a little bit
at the end because there was one of the Red Bulls catching us up, so we
just had to pick up the pace a bit. But apart from that, after the last
pit stop it was great.Q. (Livio Oricchio – O Estado de Sao Paulo) Kimi, you made your
second pit stop before Massa like the first one. Do think that if
Jenson Button left the pits after the second pit stop behind Massa, do
you think your place would have been at risk?KR: I’m not interested in even thinking about it. Why should
I? I was third in the end, that’s the end result. I came in early
because at the first stop we tried to jump Rubens because he was so
slow with the tyres. We were forced to stop a bit because the people
behind us were catching us quickly, so that’s why we were earlier than
him but in the end we were third and it doesn’t matter what they did,
that’s where we ended up.Raikkonen welcomes third for team – "We need to be happy with this result, given the way the team started the season. Of course in the bigger picture I’m not happy with third place –
I’m disappointed. But, in this situation, for the team it’s a good
result. It is not the first time I have been in second place and lost
position at the start. It is very slippery on that
side [of the track], and they were on the soft tyres at the start, so
that definitely didn’t help us. Then I had a little bit longer second stint, but in the second
pitstop, Rubens got a long way ahead. I don’t know what happened there. We’re still not where we want to be – we have many things to do to
be able to fight for first position – but the people are working very
hard at the factory and we have improved the car quite a lot at least."Ferrari Team Quotes – Kimi Raikkonen – 3rd: "I can’t be happy with third
place, as my aim is always to win, but all the same, this podium is
very satisfying for the entire team after a very difficult start to the
season. However, I am happy that we are back competing at the front
again. Over the past few weeks we have made a real step forward in
terms of performance and this result confirms it. We still have work to
do to catch up with the best, but we are moving in the right direction.
This weekend, if some details had worked out differently, the result
could have been different – I’m thinking of missing out on pole by a
whisker or of my second pit stop when I lost a few seconds. But
overall, we have to be pleased."
Chris Dyer: "That was a very interesting race today.
In the end, we are a bit disappointed, but that’s a good sign, both
because it shows how much we want to get back to being ahead of
everyone and also because, when you begin to think you should have been
able to do better than a third and fourth place finish, it means that
you are back to being really competitive again. If we had not lost
position at the start, probably we could have attacked Rubens, if we
hadn’t encountered a problem changing the right rear wheel at Kimi’s
second pit stop. What is reassuring is the pace shown by the F60,
especially in the second part of the race, when despite having more
fuel than the leaders, we were always quicker. We are very happy with
the performance of the car and we are confident we can improve it
further with coming developments."
Amazing performance from Brawn, congratulations to them. I don’t have much else to say! Well, it was a good race in the first and middle stints but the final 10 laps or so were torture for me personally. Kimi finished one position lower than he started, so I’m slightly disappointed as he is too, but he did a good job to keep that podium and we should be happy guys. It was emotional for me to see Kimi receive his trophy. For his 59th F1 podium, he also now has 540 career points. Nothing to add to his fastest lap tally unfortunately.
The race start was nothing as spectacular as I was hoping from Kimi. But he described how it went in the press conference which I just watched and he explained that the Brawns were better off the line on the super-soft tyres. Once Barrichello passed Kimi, there wasn’t much Kimi could do; there wasn’t enough of a run up to T1 for the KERS to be an advantage afterwards and from then it was pretty much just Kimi settling for a podium, although he did have to work harder to ensure that as especially after his pitstop where he lost pace Massa began to close in behind. Other than that, the rest of the racing was good to watch, Massa on Vettel’s tail was very entertaining, and Rosberg joined in the squabble. Great stuff. It was tough for Vettel with that much pressure to handle, he eventually bottled it and crashed out at Sainte Devote. He’s young, and he’ll learn.
One thing I will say is that Kimi kept it up impressively with the Brawns in the first stint when they were running far away out of sight. I was a little confused as to why Kimi seemed to lack the ‘beserk’ approach and not push harder as Massa began to set faster times than him. The only reason I can think of, apart from what Kimi has said himself, is that the win was impossible and Kimi knew that so he played it safe just to ensure he’ll get the podium for the team. Massa on the other hand had no choice but to fight back to Kimi in this race after being beaten in qualifying with almost the same fuel. So, Massa didn’t get close enough to Kimi and it was our man who took the first points for Ferrari in Bahrain and now he took the first trophy of the season for the team. Well done. Keep Flying Kimi! ~
FUCK ISRAEL 
Pity about the lost place start, but it’s a good result nonetheless and a super-solid performance from Kimi!! Our commentators had pretty nice things to say about Kimi too (apart from that 11 sec pit stop which wasn;t his fault!!), so I’m pretty chuffed! It was just great to see Kimi on the podium again, sharing the champagne with the team. I only wish there was more footage of him – I’ve had enough close-ups of Button’s stubble, really!! 🙂 Steve Slater had an interesting comment though – he got the usual question about Kimi’s motivation and he was absolutely certain that Kimi has never lost it – he fights like a "tiger" when he has a good car, but doesn’t push as hard if he has a bad one. I don’t agree with that last bit as I think Kimi’s always 110% no matter what car he has. Anyway, I hope he’ll be on the top step in 2 weeks’ time! Go Kimi!!
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I forgot to add – Evenstar, hope you’re making a video of this! I’ll be waiting with bated breath!! 🙂
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i’m a bit disappointed too but i guess like all of us! but definitively proud!i wanted him to go flat out and win this race but seeing the start he surely made the good choice for the team! Those Brawn’s are really amazing! Well done guys and particulary Button! that was a nice race to watch with exciting moments!so i’m proud of his first podium, he did a good job really, i don’t think he could have done better this time! i’m really happy for the improvment! so we will see in Turquey if they have really made a step forward! in any case it ‘s better and better! Keep faith! The first place is not far away!!!
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Highlight video? Of course!I personally think Kimi settled for the podium sooner than even i expected, because there’s not much he could’ve done to catch Brawn. So although he did obviously try his best, he could’ve gone way faster if he wanted but what was the point. It’s Monaco, go any bit braver (or stupider lol) and you’re out. And I don’t think Kimi needed to prove anything else.So not a bad race today, generally.
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Hi! I’m from Singapore and there was no coverage here but I so wanted to see Kimi receive the trophy. Is it possible to see it here?
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Yes, there was a lot of emotion when I saw him on the podium…smiled and enjoyed champagne alone…thinking about the tough races before, I can only say Kimi is really a GREAT racer. He did the best he can do.
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Hey Phoebe, there is coverage in Singapore but maybe you don’t have cable tv, it is always on Star Sports (or ESPN sometimes), including the trophy presentation and press conference. Maybe someone has a copy of it for you. I can’t say I am disappointed. After waiting for so long since we had any podium finishes I am just happy to see him happy and smiling on the podium. Sure it wasn’t first and he was a bit disappointed, but he sure was happy just to be up there, and that made me happy. Ribbonseal: I didn’t like that Steve Slater comment either, at least he wasn’t being anti Kimi, but I agree with you, Kimi always gives his best no matter what, it is more like he is just frustrated when the car isn’t up to his standard, at least he said that Kimi was, and still is, the most natural talented driver out there on track, can’t help but agree with him there.
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No matter what rumour is around, Kimi always does his job committedly!!! He deserves better results!!!Yes!!! Keep flying Kimi!!!We will always stand by him!!!
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kimi almost got 2nd place he try his best but team made mistake again but im so happy 2 see kimi back in the podium more 2 come and kimi will win again..keep flying kimi.. go saima hope you made another nice video 4 this race i cant wait 2 c your vid.
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We all know how dissapointed Kimi is for not winning 1st place as he said during the double interview with LH. To him, even 2nd place is losing! Today’s race is really a torture as it is Monaco and our Kimi would not want to dissapoint his team by making stupid mistake if he push too hard….Seeing Massa chasing Kimi is also torturing as it can be a disaster like in Oz for Vettel & Kubica.Agree with you Saima that Kimi’s podium is pretty sooner that we expect but he said that this car suits him better than 07 & 08, hope it will bring more winning races ahead.Well done for today and keep flying! Hi Phoebe – Malaysia also covers the F1 race under NTV7, but it is usually a delayed telecast esp if the races are held in Europe. That’s why we have to rely on Star Sport. Apart from Steve Slater, his partner today – Alex Yoong also finally made good remarks about Kimi and admitted how good Kimi is!!!!
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I knew the 2nd place it was so nice for me,but that guy is Kimi that he deserved to be at 1st place.So…He did a great job today and I hope in next race he will win the game.Keep flying…
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I was so disappointed when i saw Kimi lose his second place- i just went silent for five minutes as my heart sunk- i was hoping that the KERS would allow him to jump into first position! However, I don’t think it was Kimi’s fault, it’s due to the pace of the Brawns- but the Ferrari’s are definitely near them now! I think Kimi put in an excellent performance today. I hope he can do even better in the other races.Keep Flying Kimi
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Totally agree with you Matt, I was expecting Kimi to be all over Jense at the start LOL completely forgot that Barrichello was behind in a Brawn too. Nonetheless, Kimi was just Kimi today. I was looking through the pictures today (over 200 pics I’ve uploaded to the album, check ’em out!) and I cried seeing the ones of Kimi during the podium ceremony LOL I’m so emotional…But I’m sure we will be winning soon!
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Thanks Saima forthe great pictures. I love those at the podiums the most…seeing how happy Kimi is. You are not the only one being emotional, I was emotional too when I watched the prize giving ceremony yesterday…It’s been so long since we saw Kimi at the podium…totally smiling.
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HI Saima, the reason kimi was not able to match Massa for laptimes is firstly he wasn’t racing him basically but the most important reason is, he had pitted on lap 15 and took the prime tyres while Massa pitted on lap 20 and took primes. so basically kimi had tyres that was 5 laps older than Massa’s and that was the reason he was a bit faster. apart from that, when Massa was setting fastest laps, kimi’s laps were just a hundreths or thousandths slower thanx to the older tyres. But as usual Massa kept making mistakes losing half a second every three or four laps that’s why the gap remained constant. the lap on which first rubens set fastest lap, then kimi and then Massa was cool but kimi was just 0.020 behind on that lap. sure it made good publicity for massa but kimi was right up there with tyres that were 5 laps older, that means a lot especially at monaco where mechanical grip is pivotal
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NO, kimi said in the press conference(floor questions) due to using kers at the start, he had huge wheel spin and that cost him his 2nd place and that he dirty side was very slippery, that’s obvious, he managed to keep vettel under control so that was good. u could visibly see kimi’s car twitch in a bid to cover vettel with his F60 spinning wheels.
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thanks saima for those great photos of the podiums!i’m sure we all kimi fans would be really touched to see him smiling and enjoying the champagne. plus, he was really smiling when he was receiving the 3rd place trophy…i know he was quite dissapointed but still feel a bit relieved. to me, he did an impressive race despite losing the second place and the times at the pit.well, that’s all i can say and hope he can get to the top of the podium asap!Keep flying kimi!have a good week ahead you all!
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@Hasan: Yep, you’re absolutely right I think. But I didn’t hear Kimi mention wheel spin at the start (I didn’t see wheel spin myself but I’ll look again later).Anyway, I apologise if I didn’t sound happy ‘enough’ yesterday with the result, but I’m only being honest. Of course I’m pleased and proud of how Kimi’s race went and ended but like Kimi said, 3rd place and 6 points doesn’t seem much, and he’d rather win. I still believe Kimi drove calmly, unlike Massa who was pushing like hell. Because, remember Andrea Stella came onto the radio and said: "Kimi, we can get Rubens but the problem is Massa behind but we need to find a bit more pace." – after that, Kimi set fastest S1 time and that shows to me he knew exactly what was going on but chose not to push harder because the Brawns were unstoppable. So that’s what I meant when I say disappointed, because he couldn’t go for the win. Kimi got the maximum result possible for Ferrari, obviously, but we’re winners…we don’t get all excited over a 3rd place lol
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Hello Evenstar !You doing a great job with this space. 🙂 Well done !Have you meet Kimi irl ?I did see him when I was in Monaco 2007, and I get pretty close to him, but when I should take a photo of him heput up his arm, so I only got his arm on photo…hahahaha.. =PHave a great week my friend !Mia
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Hey Mia! Thank you very much. Yes, I actually saw Kimi for the first time in ‘real life’ at the Ferrari Store opening in London earlier this month, it was so good! I got his autograph too. You can read all about it and see my photos and videos here: http://darkmaiden.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!A01A464BBC0E816C!20511.entryYou have a lovely week too! 🙂
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anyway, i’m excited to see the highlight video for monaco!=)
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Me too! lol! The highlight video won’t be ready until much later this week, because I’ll be on a short break/holiday. I’ll still be around to post news and things, of course! There’s not a single day I’m away from my Kimi-fan life lol
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Thanks Saima! I liked your summary of Kimis stats. Even though he has had more than a couple of bad car seasons, its still getting very impressive. Nice reminder.Cant wait for the vid, but please enjoy your break and come back rested 😉
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Hi Evenstar and others!Kimi did drove well, but still he was disappointed and I was too. I think Monaco circuit is little bit stupid. You can’t pass no matter what. Kimi is doing some rallying in Italy at June. Finland is certainly a rally country and following happened couple of years ago to Marcus Grönholm (a finnish rally driver):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqQhQSbe6fwLets hope that following accident don’t happen to Kimi. Stone up in to…BrPekka2
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Thank you Saima for the review and u are spot on when u say.."we’re winners…we don’t get all excited over a 3rd place" loved that. Really looking forward to your highlights when u join back at work. Cheers
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he s back…….
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Hello guys! I forgot to mention, Kimi’s total of 540 career points made him pass Coulthard for 7th in the all-time list, hehe.Thanks for the comments. I can’t wait to make the highlight video :)@Pekka: Yeah, I heard his Italy rally was later this month, no? It’s an asphalt rally this time, looking forward to see Kimi rape the others LOL
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Hey Saima! Enjoy your break- you deserve it!
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We may not get "all excited" over a 3rd place, but it is a significant improvement and hopefully indicative of continued improvement or at least competiveness for the remainder of the season. I am very proud of Kimi and Ferrari’s progress.
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