2009 Monaco Grand Prix

Championship standings

Button leads by 14 points from teammate Barrichello after four wins in five races. Barrichello leads Vettel of Red Bull in third. Brawn lead the Constructors’ Championship with 68 points; Red Bull are second on 38.5. Reigning world champion Hamilton sits seventh, having accumulated nine points.

Previous race

Button won in Spain from pole for a Brawn 1–2, recovering from a first-lap incident that eliminated four drivers — Trulli, Sutil, and both Toro Rossos were caught in the melee triggered when Rosberg rejoined the track after being squeezed by Alonso. Barrichello ran a three-stop strategy and led initially before Button passed him in the pit stops. Räikkönen retired with a hydraulic failure. Massa finished sixth after being told to ease off due to fuel concerns.

Entrants

Red Bull have a new two-tier diffuser ready for the RB5, with chief designer Adrian Newey believing it could be a significant gain at Monaco.

Force India have prepared several upgrades focused on high downforce for the slow, twisting circuit.

Ferrari have issued a statement threatening not to enter the 2010 championship if the FIA’s proposed budget cap, with different technical rules for capped and uncapped teams, is implemented. Renault made a similar threat, warning of withdrawal if the planned regulations are not revised. These statements mark the opening of the FIA–FOTA dispute over 2010 regulations.

Practice

Practice at Monaco is held on Thursday, with roads remaining open to traffic on Friday. Barrichello was quickest in the opening Thursday session by three-tenths from Massa, with the two McLarens third and fourth. Rosberg — who had led practice at nine previous events — topped the second Thursday session. Saturday practice was led by Alonso’s Renault from Button.

Hamilton crashed at Mirabeau in Q1, damaging his suspension and putting him out of qualifying from that point, leaving him 16th on the grid.