2006 Monaco Grand Prix
Schumacher's qualifying stop at La Rascasse sparked controversy.
The 2006 Monaco Grand Prix was the seventh round of the 2006 Formula One season, held on 28 May at the Circuit de Monaco. It is notable for Michael Schumacher's controversial qualifying incident at La Rascasse corner, which led to a penalty and demotion to the back of the grid. Fernando Alonso won the race, his first in Monaco.
Quick Facts
- Country
- Monaco
- Date
- 28 May
- Official name
- Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2006
- Location
- Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo
- Course
- Street circuit
- Distance laps
- 78
- Distance (mi)
- 161.880
- Distance (km)
- 260.520
Facts from the source article.
Report
Between the Spanish Grand Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix, a test session was held at Circuit Paul Ricard. Fernando Alonso topped the times on the first day, less than a tenth of a second ahead of Felipe Massa. Jarno Trulli was third in the new Toyota TF106B, also within a tenth of Alonso. Heikki Kovalainen was fourth, ahead of the McLarens of Kimi Räikkönen and Juan Pablo Montoya. Alonso led again on day two, with Kovalainen second and Jacques Villeneuve third, a second slower. Villeneuve outpaced the Renaults on day three, finishing over four tenths ahead of Kovalainen. Toyota were fastest on day four, with Olivier Panis ahead of Ricardo Zonta and the two McLarens of Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett. Meanwhile, Honda and Williams tested at Vallelunga, where a new chicane had been added to simulate Monaco. Anthony Davidson led day one for Honda, with Alexander Wurz's Williams about four tenths behind. Honda continued to lead on day two, Jenson Button topping the times ahead of Davidson and Mark Webber. Rubens Barrichello was fastest on day three, followed by Button and Webber. Williams tested alone on day four, Webber fastest ahead of Narain Karthikeyan. The bottom six teams from 2005 and Super Aguri ran a third car in Friday practice. Alonso was fastest in the opening practice session with a 1:16.712, a tenth ahead of Honda test driver Anthony Davidson.
Classification
Giancarlo Fisichella set the fifth fastest time of 1:14.396 but had his three fastest laps deleted for impeding David Coulthard, dropping him to ninth. Felipe Massa failed to set a time after damaging his car in the first knock-out phase. Michael Schumacher set the fastest time of 1:13.898 but stopped at La Rascasse on his final lap, causing a yellow flag. Other teams complained the move was deliberate to secure pole. A stewards' inquiry deleted all his qualifying times, and Schumacher opted to start from the pitlane.
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