Monaco 1997:
with Murray Walker.
F1 Racing June 1997.

Rain is a great reveller, isn't it? One way or another, over the half the entry at Monaco made a king-sized porridge of it.
Both Williams out, both McLarens out, both Saubers out, Benetton one miserable ninth place, yet another demeaning failure for Damon, and - in terms of world championship points - Jordan with little to shout about. But at different ends of the spectrum, what a great day it was for Ferrari and Stewart! Poor Jackie was so overcome with emotion at both his cars finishing and Rubens taking second that he burst into tears in front ot the TV cameras. My heart went out to him. It's great to see a new team doing so well after a rocky start to the season.

It's a good thing for the rest of them that is doesn't rain too often, though. Michael's wet weather drive matched his peerless performance in Spain last year, and thank heavens he doesn't drive a Williams or they'd never see which way he went. Ken Tyrrell has got every reason to be happy, and Bridgestone must be quietly content too. With the best teams all on Goodyear and their two full-distance places in the the top four (on a circuit they'd never raced at or had any prior knowledge of), Bridgestone have proved they are learning fast.

But above all, Monaco changed the pecking order in both championships: this year might not be a Williams benefit after all. With 12 races still to go, we've got a lot to look forward to. And that's the way it should be.

-End of Article--

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