The racing weekend that was - Wk 21 updated

In Formula One, Monaco:

In what turned to be a very exciting race, a spectacular team order blunder gives the race to Nico Rosberg, though Lewis Hamilton had led from the start and had a 15 second lead. Despite the track known for tight racing quarters, the action was relatively good. What stood out for me were the passing maneuvers attempts and the drama of breaking under pressure!

Race highlights:
Rookie sensation Max Verstappen driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso, passes Pastor Maldonado in his Lotus for P8 but looses a lot of positions during a pit stop due to a problem with the right rear. After a good stint he switches to super softs and comes in p11 right behind third place driver Sebastian Vettel. Max decides to duck under the German's rear wing to make use of any blue flags given to Vettel. However, Romain Grosjean (Lotus) doesn't fall for the trick and quickly closes the door after letting Vettel pass. Hereafter Max exerts a great deal of pressure on the Lotus of Grosjean for the final points paying position (P10) and finally takes a gamble going into Ste Devote. The Dutchman went for a small opening but touched Grosjean's right rear tire breaking his own wing and suspension before vaulting  the Torro Rosso over the kerb into the barriers. This racing incident, though penalized by the race stewards, shows that the seventeen-year-old is not afraid to attack when he sees an opening. Good for F1!

Lewis at a loss for words

With the "virtual" safety car out for Verstappen's crash and with 14 laps to go, the Mercedes team decides to pit p1 driver Lewis Hamilton for supersoft. This was done before picking up the safety car and when Lewis resumes the race he realizes he has come behind team mate Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel and into third place. With ten laps to go Lewis' camp realizes they have gambled for no reason and lost it as well. Just 3-4 laps before the end of the race, Lewis radios in that it is impossible to pass Vettel.

Daniel Ricciardo made a aggressive move on Raikkonen going into Mirabeau. The Australian carefully nudged Kimi out of the way by clipping his right rear tire and sending him wide.
Kimi on team radio after the pass, "that was not nice". Really Kimi? I think Kimi's wings have been clipped for good.

Lewis Hamilton after the race: "The team has been amazing all year long - we win together and lose together."

To read the live commentaries on the race, please click here.

Top ten:
1. Nico Rosberg, GER, Mercedes-Mercedes,
2. Sebastian Vettel, GER, Ferrari-Ferrari,
3. Lewis Hamilton, GBR, Mercedes-Mercedes,
4. Daniil Kvyat, RUS, Red Bull-Renault,
5. Daniel Ricciardo, AUS, Red Bull-Renault,
6. Kimi Raikkonen, FIN, Ferrari-Ferrari,
7. Sergio Perez, MEX, Force India-Mercedes,
8. Jenson Button, GBR, McLaren-Honda,
9. Felipe Nasr, BRZ, Sauber-Ferrari
10. Carlos Sainz Jr, ESP, Toro Rosso-Ferrari.


NHRA at Topeka, Kansas:
On a race Sunday that had the NHRA Safety Safari working flat out trying to get the race in amidst the occasional rain showers, the e.t. God's were looking on and smiling. Whereas in the entire 2014 season 19 three-second runs were recorder, on Sunday a whopping 15 were set, with 5 of those going to the funny car winner. Chalk it all down to ideal air conditions...for the nitro cars.

In Top Fuel, Brittany Force ran pretty good and got all the way to the semi's where Crampton send her packing. He then laid down a 3.738 at 318.09 to hold off Larry Dixon.

In Funny Car, Jack Beckman used a pair of sub four second passes to outrun Courtney Force and John Hale in earlier rounds and then outran Del Worsham in a close semi. In the final Jack beat none other than 16-time world champ John Force by running a 3.984 at 316.45 mph. He also took the 250th victory for his boss Don Schumacher. Get well soon, Don!

Beckman on racing Force, "I have all the respect in the world for John Force. It makes a difference when you race him. You're getting a chance to play against babe Ruth. It's so unique in our sport, that a guy [who is] the best there has aver been in this sport, can still mix it up with us. I've said it before, I can't wait to tell my grandkids I got to compete against John Force. This throphy will be extra special because it was John Force we beat in the final."

In Pro Stock, the Chevy's were charging hard to the semi's. In the final round of eliminations, KB racing's Greg Anderson ran a 6.591 at 209.14 but it wasn't quick enough to beat the red Camaro of Erica Enders, who herself was the quickest all day long.

Next the NHRA series will head June 4-7 to Englishtown, New Jersey.


Source: Crash.net, Drag Illustrated, Wikipedia
Photo credit: Getty Images, Autosport.com, Drag Illustrated