Race Recap: To Rain or Not to Rain

Six for Six. For most people that would sound as though the 2012 season had become a boring one, dominated by just a single driver in its first six races. Fortunately for fans, that six for six represents the six different drivers to win the first six races after Mark Webber took the victory from pole for Red Bull. At times it appeared that we may get a repeat driver in Vettel, the "rain" simply wouldn't let that happen.

Photo by Patrice Coppee/AFP/Getty Images

If there is one thing to take away from the race, it is not how Monaco reduces the gap between cars and more about the absolute panic from the prospect of rain. From the original forecasts this weekend everyone knew rain was a possibility. Teams and drivers were prepared for it and yet it still seemed to catch everyone unaware. The teams all pushed their drivers to take the tires as long as they could, the ever looming spectre of rain looming over them. Lap 15, Lap 21, Lap 25, Lap 34... the reports continually changed and never came true. Pit stops came and went as if the rain never mattered, and maybe it was just a ploy of the teams to push their drivers into one-stop races. Red Bull at one point considered putting Vettel on intermediate tires so they would be prepared when the rain came.

Yet after all the buildup it seemed as though it never would. Vettel's stop came and went, and Monaco become one of the most exciting parades in the world. Webber led the likes of Rosberg, Alonso, Vettel (all winners), Hamilton and Massa around the tight streets of Monaco. It proved to be one of the most exciting battles of the season to date, not because of the passing it provided, but the sheer closeness of the drivers. It looked as though the true battle would not be with the elements but between driver. And then, with the laps ticking to a close, the skies decided to open up and give us a scare. The track got slick, the parade became a frantic attempt to not meet Mr. Armco, and it appeared the prophecy of weather may come true.

Jean-Eric Vergne and Toro Rosso took the bait. They gave up 7th place in a grasp for glory on a wettening track. It proved to be the wrong call. Webber and his parade reconquered the streets of Monaco, and the weather gave way to the craziness the Formula One season. In a way Monaco represents everything that Formula One should be and this race represented everything that this season is.

Winners: Red Bull were at the top of their game on race day. As the only team to score two wins so far this season, they hold an advantage no other team currently possesses. Webber and Vettel sit even in the points and this season has much of the same feel that 2010 had. If Red Bull's drivers can continue their form in Canada, this season could become theirs even if Webber or Vettel don't take the checkered flag.

Losers: Roman Grosjean and Michael Schumacher are both losers after Monaco. Neither has fulfilled the potential their teams have provided them and both posted yet another DNF. While Grosjean's DNF was very much his fault, Schumacher again became victim of mechanical failure. His grid penalty may or may not have played a part, but Schumacher still failed to achieve anything close to his pole achievement.

Look Ahead: Montreal is the next stop and its Wall of Champions is hungry. With six different former champions and five former winners (all champions) the race will be a true battle. Schumacher has dominated Canada in his career and if he can take his form from Monaco qualifying to Montreal race he could finally post a victory. Lotus have also performed exceptional on tracks with fast straights and I'd put my money that Kimi Raikkonen could parlay that into his first victory of the season. Red Bull need a good performance to put distance between them and the rest making Canada a key battle in the race for the title.