Grand Prix Historique Monaco 2021

3 May 2021 Redazione Events, News

GRAND PRIX HISTORIQUE MONACO

Words and Photos by Roberto Marrone

After the 2020 edition’s forfait because of Covid, despite all the inevitable limitations due to safety regulations, the long-awaited Grand Prix Historique took place in Monaco this year. As always, there was a wide range of racing cars belonging to various eras and divided into as many categories. For the Formula One 1,500 cc 1961-65, 1966-72 F1 3,000 cc, 1973-76, 1977-80, but also F1 and F2 prior to 1961. The group of pre-war veterans and then the Sport Racing Cars (front-engined) spreading from 1952 to 57.

Thursday has been the day dedicated to the final touches and free practice; at the wheel we find young and veteran drivers, ranging from famous names such as Jean Alesi, René Arnoux, Alex Caffi and up to gentlemen drivers and surprising young talents who without any difficulty raced in more than one category, both with Formula and classic GT cars. Those who think it is only a carousel where cars parade for the spectators are wrong, it is a real battle and the risks are many, given that despite the various divisions it is normal to find substantial differences in performance, since even in just one year development proves to be impressive. Cars with huge wings, cars without appendages of any kind, tire width and grip, brakes, everything! The gap is even more clear during the race and can create complete havoc. On Thursday, in the paddock, the mechanics did their utmost and the scream of the engines combined with that scent of petrol and oil really got you back in time, creating a magical atmosphere all around. In older cars, as always, the precious Bugattis of the 1920s with almost bicycle wheels, the gearbox outside the cabin, the steering wheel that occupies almost the entire narrow passenger compartment. Crazy. Those who drive these little pests must be very skilled and when cornering the driver leans out as far as he can in order to balance it. The same goes for the various Frazer Nash, Era, Maserati, Riley, Talbot Lago (1930s).

It is also strange to see, next to these cars – most of which are small – a huge Mercedes SSK from 1929. Of course, the SSK on track cannot be as agile, but it certainly is majestic and beautiful. In the other categories, as always, Lotus stand out, with the classic green liveries of the 16 of the late 50s, or that of the great Jim Clark. There are many models from Colin Chapman’s creature that for decades have triumphed in the highest formula and it is a real shame not to see them anymore in current F1. Then you find several Brabham, BRM, Cooper, all the English teams that have written history and of course Maserati, Ferrari, McLaren, Tyrrell, March, as usual very well represented in all the various categories. And then Shadow, Arrow, Hesketh, Fittipaldi, Ligier, Merzario, Lola, Amon, Williams, ATS, Ensign. We move on to the GTs of the 50s and here we find Jaguar C-Type, Jaguar D-Type, Cooper Jaguar, Frazer Nash, Aston Martin, Lister Bristol and a plethora of Maseratis. Certainly not all of them have been named, but it is just to give an idea of what was blasting all over the Monegasque city circuit. The following day qualifications took place for each group and also S.A.S. Prince Albert of Monaco visited the paddock accompanied by Alesi and Arnoux. The presence of the famous French drivers has aroused a lot of interest, at their disposal two 1974 Ferrari F1 ex Niki Lauda, too bad that René then had an accident in qualifying preventing him from taking part in the race.

We report some results, although a round of applause must be paid to all the participants who demonstrated great ability regardless of the vehicles they had to tame.

Christian Traber won the pre-war category with the Talbot Lago n°22.

Mark Shaw won in the F1 category (1,500 cc) with the Lotus 21 Climax n°7

Michael Lyons triumphed in the F1 category (66-72) with the Surtees n°20.

Fierro-Eleta won in GT Racing with the Maserati 300S, just ahead of Martin Halusa (Jaguar D-Type No. 54) and Nicolas Bert (Jaguar C-Type No. 50).
Fierro-Eleta also won in the front-engined series with the Maserati 250F, ahead of Max Smith and Alex Birkenstock.

For the F1 category (74-76) Marco Werner with the Lotus JPS n°6 starting from Pole Position was overtaken at the start by Jean Alesi with the Ferrari n°27. Throughout the race, the Lotus driver tried to overtake the French who, thanks to his experience, tenaciously defended his position; several times we had the two cars side by side, but Jean remained in front. On the penultimate lap right on the starting straight, Marco tries again on the left, but touches the left rear wheel of Alesi who slams violently to the right on the barriers. The Ferrari has serious damage while the driver is forced to abandon the race, the Lotus has only a slightly dented nose and a crooked side mustache and can continue until it crosses the finish line in first position. There is also a few long minutes of waiting before confirmation of a penalty for the German Werner who is relegated to third place. The victory thus still goes to Michael Lyons (Mclaren n°7), followed by Julien Andlauer (March n°35). Nice to see Michael Lyons who then left the cup on Marco’s Lotus.

Among the most recent F1 we had interesting duels as well, especially between Tyrrells n°4 and n°3, the latter finishing the race in the barriers, and guess who wins? Yes Michael Lyons, this time at the wheel of the Hesketh 308E Penthouse n°1. In second place Mike Cantillon (Tyrrell n°4) and third Matteo Ferrez-Aza (Ligier n°26).

It is Sunday evening when the engines are now ready to rest and leave a lot of work to be done in order to repair the various cars touching each others or the barriers, but it is nice to see these vintage monsters in their natural environment and not only in cold museum rooms. The difference is the same as looking at a plate of ravioli from outside a window, or tasting it in first person. Time to clean the track of all the oil stains left by these beautiful old ladies, before nowadays’ faster but quieter Formula One will come to face off in less than a month for the FIA World Championship.

The G.P. Historique renews the appointment for next year, so we will not wait two years as usual thus recovering the year we’ve lost, hoping we can experience the event at its best with spectators in full force as in the good old days, without PCR, masks and everything that makes life more complicated than it already is.