How come f1 cars practice on Thursdays in Monaco??

fordtc87 · 17 May 2005, 22:07 (Ref:1303316)

I was wondering if anyone knows why the F1 cars run on a Thursday-Saturday-Sunday schedule instead of the usual Friday-Saturday-Sunday. Just wondering!

DKGandBH · 17 May 2005, 22:37 (Ref:1303327)

I thought it was a religious thing...

DKGanDBH

Hazza · 18 May 2005, 02:38 (Ref:1303396)

Isn't it so the people in the paddock can go spend lotsandlotsandlotsandlotsa money on friday?

vatuloa · 18 May 2005, 03:16 (Ref:1303411)

its somthing like 40 days from easter being an athiest it up to someone else for the exact reason

twig · 18 May 2005, 06:27 (Ref:1303457)

About the easter thing, the Monaco GP is not always on the same date, and yet we have had Thursday practice for the past, ah 5 years at least.

I had the impression its for local traffic...maybe they ALL like to go driving on friday...

vatuloa · 18 May 2005, 06:36 (Ref:1303462)

Its the friday thats significant not the exact no of days from easter

Pingguest · 18 May 2005, 06:43 (Ref:1303468)

The first two practises are on Thursday, because on Saturday and Sunday the whole city is closed.

Kicking-back · 18 May 2005, 06:47 (Ref:1303469)

There are practice sessions on Friday for F3 and other support series these days though.

The Thursday thing is tradition - it's not been just the past five years, but for many decades.

Rob29 · 18 May 2005, 08:03 (Ref:1303519)

True. I think there has been action Thurs to Sun since the race started in 1929. They always ran early morning -5am! on Friday so the shops could reopen later. When F1 went to standard 2 day qualifying the current system was devised.

grandprixdiary · 18 May 2005, 08:17 (Ref:1303522)

I believe it has long been the case that Prince Rainier (now Albert I guess) used the Friday to entertain drivers and guests, also - did the race not always start an hour later than anywhere else, again to suit the requirements of the Grimaldis ? I have to add - that I was told all of this years ago while in Monaco, but I was rather drunk and so was the bloke telling me about it.

Rob

**Adam43** · 18 May 2005, 08:19 (Ref:1303524)

The date of the Monaco is determined by the religious calendar. The Thursday practice is tradition. As said. Although I didn't know/forgot that there was running of the support race practices on Friday.

It works well, of course, as it gives more time to wine and dine the sponsors at this important event. The teams wouldn't want it everywhere.

I like it, something different, almost for the sake of it. An anomaly in the every increasing homogenous world of racing.

Kicking-back · 18 May 2005, 08:23 (Ref:1303528)

I bet if we searched the forum around Monaco Grand Prix time in 2004/3/2/1/0 we'd find this same question

Rob29 · 18 May 2005, 08:31 (Ref:1303536)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

The date of the Monaco is determined by the religious calendar.

Unfortunately that is no longer the case.Easter was early this year so the race is 2 weeks later than its 'traditional' date.
Btw: I was there last thursday,and all the barriers,stands,fences and even signs telling the GP2 cars where to go were already in place! Had lunch a few feet from the start line.Could not afford to stay for the racing-price of the room we stayed in in Nice doubles from today.

grandprixdiary · 18 May 2005, 08:39 (Ref:1303542)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob29

Could not afford to stay for the racing-price of the room we stayed in in Nice doubles from today.

I've been to Monaco loads of times but sadly no more. I reckon that a good Monaco weekend is the same as doing two other Grand Prix. The habit of most hotels charging you for a minimum 7 night stay, when they know damn well you'll be gone after 3 nights is a scandal. Its a shame, its a race that has to be seen live, and the main people that go now are folk who may as well be at Ascot for all they know...

Rob
(not jealous of the corporate types, obviously)

**Adam43** · 18 May 2005, 09:00 (Ref:1303562)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob29

Unfortunately that is no longer the case.Easter was early this year so the race is 2 weeks later than its 'traditional' date.

I didn't realise. That is a shame.

strider · 18 May 2005, 12:32 (Ref:1303711)

I think you will find it's Pau that is tied in to Easter, because that's held at Pentecost.

Historically Monaco has done its own thing just because of the Grimaldis.

**Adam43** · 18 May 2005, 12:38 (Ref:1303716)

Both were. AFAIK.

I always remember the race starting at half past the hour. When did this change?

grandprixdiary · 18 May 2005, 12:43 (Ref:1303720)

It was only a couple of years ago that this was changed to suit the TV companies. The race started later to fit in with Prince Rainiers lunchtime and I think its a shame that some of these quaint traditions are not allowed to exist !

Rob

the_royksopp · 18 May 2005, 13:05 (Ref:1303734)

Theres still racing on friday though, with the support series. My guess is, that they want to spread the race to one more day, to make room for all the glitter-glatter.

Big-O · 18 May 2005, 13:13 (Ref:1303736)

Coult it be that they need the streets for normal trafic on Fridays ??? Well, i'm not sure.

Kicking-back · 18 May 2005, 13:37 (Ref:1303745)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big-O

Coult it be that they need the streets for normal trafic on Fridays ??? Well, i'm not sure.

No - because the support series still run on Friday

Red · 18 May 2005, 16:21 (Ref:1303873)

It's a 'flea' market on Friday, they need the streets open... Probably the support races helf on Friday (it's news to me by the way, since when does this happen?) don't require that much preparations and security as F1 sessions

RickP:Clio51 · 18 May 2005, 16:43 (Ref:1303885)

I raced there in 2002... and the clerk of the course insisted it was traditionally to let the locals get some shopping done...

Rennen · 18 May 2005, 16:49 (Ref:1303892)

I seem to recall it was for the locals to simple go shopping for the week end!...Not everyone is a petrol head in Monaco!

Marbot · 18 May 2005, 17:39 (Ref:1303928)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rennen

I seem to recall it was for the locals to simple go shopping for the week end!...Not everyone is a petrol head in Monaco!

Don't most of the locals go on "holiday" for GP weekend.Usually renting out their homes to race goers at extortionate prices.

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