2009 Monaco Grand Prix

Prince Consiglio of Monaco

Joe Consiglio reestablished his lead at the top of the championship with victory at Monaco. The Maltese driver took the flag in front of ten finishers, at a race where many predicted a high level of retirements.

It wasn't a walk in the park around the narrow street circuit for Consiglio. Like many of his rivals, the Nordsjoen driver found himself in the company of others when they spun. The championship leader kept his cool to avoid picking up any damage to win by over thirty seconds. Team-mate Adam Rouse moved into second in the standings as he completed a Nordsjoen one-two. Mark Wicks completed the podium, as the Woods driver collected a trophy as others around him fell to late race issues.

GPVWC's very own Flying Finn, Janne Tanskanen looked out of sorts on the streets of Monaco. Over the first five events, he has been accustomed to running up front dueling with the Nordsjoen pair. While lacking the raw pace as he had in Mondello Park, his chances of a podium disappeared after a coming together when lapping Mark Fuller. Despite his issues, fourth position keeps in within striking position of the Nordsjoen drivers.

Phil Perkins backed up his superb podium in Mondello with a fourth position. Ryan McConkey came home in sixth, in front of Kieran Ryan. The Irishman looked on for a podium finish, but a refueling issue and a late spin saw him drop down the standings. His result saw the first points for Platform Michelangelo's outfit. Roberto Walter Conde rounded out the points on a day that saw 21 cars take the grid.

It was a day of what might have been for many drivers on the grid. Dave Carr-Smith returned for Woods Racing and duly put the car on the front row. A suspected suspension issue saw him get a slow get away, resulting in a spin at Sainte Devote.

Philip Cullen also suffered on a day where he had race contending pace. Cullen put his Synergetic on the second row of grid. The Irishman got bottled behind the slow Woods of Carr-Smith, dropping him into the pack. While tailing the Evans Blue machine of Tanskanen, Cullen lost the rear in the swimming pool section. The damaged Synergetic returned to the field after repairs and begun to slice it's way through the field, holding the fastest lap for the majority of the race. The Irishman's dream of a great finish came to an end when his Cosworth expired on lap 21.

Monaco saw a number of debutants on the Superleague field. Three new drivers took the field and quickly got themselves up to speed around the Principality. How quickly the new drivers have acquitted themselves to the often difficult Superleague car will no doubt raise alarms amongst the current crop of drivers that they will soon be contending for points and wins.

The busy GPVWC season continues as the Superleague circus heads to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix. The driver favorite, with its long straights and sweeping corners is the complete opposite to the tight, narrow circuit around Monaco