ReLIVE the Monaco GP
From the grid to the finish line, McLaren LIVE relayed live radio chat and commentary from inside the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes garage throughout the 2013 Monaco Grand Prix. Here's your chance to ReLIVE the action as it happened.
On the grid
The cars are on the grid. We have blue skies and Mediterranean sunshine. Track temp at 37°C.
This is a unique pitlane: the grid is behind the garage, the ‘pitwall’ is inside and above it.
The crew is going through a final check-list.
Checo radio talk: "Checo, we've got just over two minutes to go."
Lights Out!
Slight contact for Jenson at the hairpin but no sign of a problem.
Jenson radio talk: "Jenson, the track is clear ahead. The track is clear."
Checo radio talk: "We're maintaining a nice pace to ALO in front, let's make sure we match him."
Jenson radio talk: "OK Jenson, this pace is pretty slow from the leaders, not many gaps opening up yet."
Lap 9
Checo cedes P7 to Jenson.
Jenson radio talk: "ALO's pace is not very good, let's put him under some pressure."
Lap 10
ROS leads from HAM, VET, WEB, RAI, ALO, Jenson, Checo, SUT, VER. Jenson is closing on ALO, Checo is 0.5s ahead of SUT.
Because the straight is so short, DRS here is worth about 8km/h – half what it is elsewhere.
Jenson radio talk: "All temperatures are good."
Lap 15
With the order static, interest turns to pitstop strategy. One stop or two? Normal rules don't apply when overtaking is so difficult.
Jenson radio talk: "This is good. Let's stay with ALO."
Lap 20
The field is starting to spread slightly, with gaps of 2s between the front runners – but only 10s between ROS, P1 and Jenson P7.
Lap 22
A first scheduled stop as RIC swaps Prime for Option tyre. Will this trigger a rush for the pitlane?
Jenson comes in and takes on the Prime tyre.
Jenson radio talk: "There's clear air ahead, let's make the most of it."
Fastest first sector of the race for Checo.
Jenson is back out in P10, he's 3.5s behind RAI who has also stopped.
Lap 28
Checo radio talk: "Box this lap, confirm."
Checo takes on the Prime tyre. He emerges just behind Jenson.
Safety Car. Heavy crash for MAS at Ste. Devote, very similar to his crash in FP3.
Lap 32 – Safety Car
Checo radio talk: "The safety car has affected the order slightly. ROS still leads, now from VET, WEB, HAM, RAI, ALO, Jenson, Checo, SUT, VER. Lapped cars have been told they can overtake. VDG will be coming past. Watch for VDG, stay on the racing line. Keep warming the brakes."
The restart is always tricky after a long safety car period. Pressures drop, brake temperatures drop. It's a problem – and an opportunity.
Lap 38
The race is back on. Clean restart from the leaders.
It's nip and tuck but everyone holds position. Jenson in P7, followed by Checo in P8.
Checo radio talk: "OK Checo, DRS is enabled."
Jenson attempts a pass on ALO at the hairpin, slight contact, then Checo passes Jenson at the chicane.
Lap 43
Checo is all over the back of ALO.
Checo radio talk: "He has been told he has to give the place back to you."
Red Flag
MAL and BIA had a heavy collision at Tabac, which caused the race to be instantly halted by race control. The red flag signals that.
Checo radio talk: "Continue to the grid in the order you are in now. Turn the engine off once you reach your grid spot – the guys are coming to meet you."
Jenson radio talk: "Do we know when the restart will be?"
The grid-order for the restart has Checo P7 and Jenson P8. ROS will lead off from VET, WEB, HAM, RAI, ALO, Checo, Jenson, SUT, VER.
Restart
The Monaco Grand Prix is back on. Both Jenson and Checo have restarted on the Option tyre.
Lap 50
ROS leads from VET, WEB, HAM, RAI, Checo, ALO, Jenson, SUT, VER.
Checo radio talk: "OK Checo, 28 laps to go. We're in a good, strong position here."
Lap 53
RAI and Checo both run wide at the chicane. Furious action in this half of the grand prix.
Checo radio talk: "Others are going to struggle at the end, we're P6 and in a good position. We need to make sure we're in a position to attack at the end."
Lap 58
The order is ROS, followed by VET, WEB, HAM, RAI, Checo, SUT, ALO, Jenson and VER.
The safety car comes out after GRO and RIC collide on the run down to the Nouvelle chicane.
Lap 63
Checo radio talk: "OK Checo, we think the safety car may be coming in soon, so let's warm the brakes. 13 laps left after this one. Just a reminder – SUT behind will be attacking. He got past Jenson and ALO on the inside at Loews."
Clean restart. ROS leads from VET, WEB, HAM, RAI, Checo, SUT, ALO, Jenson, VER.
Lap 69
Big impact for Checo, contact with RAI and the barrier at the chicane. Some damage.
Jenson passes ALO at Rascasse, RAI pits, Checo up to P5, Jenson now P7.
Jenson radio talk: "Great job with ALO. There are more opportunities here."
Lap 72
ROS leads from VET, WEB, HAM, Checo, SUT, Jenson, ALO, VER, DIR.
Checo retires from the Monaco Grand Prix.
Checo radio talk: "That's a shame – that was a great effort up to this point."
Jenson radio talk: "OK Jenson, four more laps to go. Tyres are good – we can have four qualifying laps here."
Massive change in the last few laps. ROS leads from VET, WEB and HAM, then SUT, Jenson, ALO, VER, DIR and HUL. Two laps to go.
Chequered Flag
ROS wins the Monaco Grand Prix. He's followed over the line by VET, WEB, HAM, SUT, Jenson, ALO, VER, DIR and RAI.
Jenson radio talk: "Nice job JB. It didn't work out yesterday but good effort today."
Jenson radio talk: "Yeah, I think the pace is there. A good improvement from previous races."
And that's the end of a captivating Monaco Grand Prix. Hopes dashed for Checo after a gutsy performance but a strong P6 finish for Jenson. McLaren LIVE will be back for the Canadian Grand Prix. We hope you can join us then.
