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Laurence Edmondson
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Nate Saunders
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F1 Associate Editor• Previously worked in rugby union and British Superbikes
• History graduate from Reading University
• Joined ESPNF1 in February 2014
The Formula One paddock is a busy place that hosts a lot of serious business over a race weekend, but this blog will aim to bring you some of the more colourful moments from the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.
F1 stars on the pitch
Charles Leclerc and Mick Schumacher were among a number of racing drivers taking part in Monaco’s annual charity football match on Tuesday night. The team of drivers, known as Nazionale Piloti, also included Pierre Gasly, Antonio Giovinazzi and Carlos Sainz and took on a team captained by Prince Albert II of Monaco at Stade Louis II. French international William Gallas was among the ex-professional footballers on the Prince’s team, which ended up taking a 3-2 victory over the drivers.
The score could have been 3-3 but for a disallowed goal by Giovinazzi. « I scored a good goal but unfortunately it was offside, » he said. « But it was a good match and it was for charity, so that’s good. »
All proceeds from the event went to the Children’s Charities Associations in Europe.
Kimi’s 300th race
This weekend Kimi Raikkonen will join a select club of just five drivers who have taken part in 300 grand prix race weekends or more. He joins Michael Schumacher (308), Jenson Button (309), Fernando Alonso (314) and Rubens Barrichello (326). Cause for celebration, right? No according to the Finn…
« No, it’s no different from last week or the next race, » he said. « In the end this is just a number, for sure it’s different from the first race but after that, once you go on for a while, it doesn’t really change.
« I’m not here because I can be [the driver with] the most grands prix. It gives me absolutely zero pleasure. It’s purely a number. I’ve already told the team a while ago I don’t want [any attention], but people try to celebrate. It’s a number, what’s the difference? »
Better hide the cake, commemorative hats and special helmet livery, then.
Favourite quote from Thursday’s media session: With clouds hanging over the Monaco harbour and a mixed forecast for the week ahead, there is already talk of a wet race on Sunday. But Kevin Magnussen had little interest in predicting how it would impact Haas’ performance as a journalist questioned him on the weather…
Journalist: « Would you prefer a wet race? »
Magnussen: « Depends how we qualify. »
Journalist: « Wet qualifying? »
Magnussen: « Depends how we practice? »
Journalist: « Wet practice? »
Magnussen: [laughing] « I don’t know. »
http://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/26799769/mick-schumacher-charles-leclerc-stars-charity-football-match
