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The Roar

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Fear and loathing at Indianapolis and Monaco

Stoffel Vandoorne did himself few favours in Monaco.(Image: AMG Mercedes-Benz)
Expert
21st May, 2015
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The Indy 500 and Monaco Grand Prix are the jewels in the crown of their respective categories, and provide a bumper double for motorsport fans this weekend.

But excitement for the two legendary events has been tempered as the two series grapple with big issues that could overshadow the races.

In the principality of Monte Carlo, even the glamour of the event and unique challenge of the street circuit can’t mask the problems Formula One is facing.

It was at Monte Carlo last year where the battle between Mercedes-Benz teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton turned sour, when Rosberg was alleged to have gone off track on purpose in qualifying to stop his teammate from setting a faster time.

Twelve months on and the hostility is even more noticeable, as is the domination of Mercedes-Benz over the rest of the field.

Another Mercedes-Benz steamroller on Formula One’s biggest stage will only heap pressure on a sport that needs to readdress the disparity between teams.

The pressure is certainly on Aussie Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull Racing team, struggling with an underpowered and unreliable Renault engine amid claims the energy-drink giant could withdraw from the sport if potential saviour Audi isn’t tempted to step in.

While Formula One’s power base has released its blueprint to spice up the show in 2017, including the reintroduction of refuelling and more aggressive cars, the question remains how teams already stretched financially can afford what will be expensive changes.

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Across the Atlantic, IndyCar’s showpiece event has been overshadowed by a string of major accidents involving cars flipping after contact with the wall.

Aerodynamic changes have been made to try and stabilise and slow the new body kits, though the true test will be in the 500-mile race, during which accidents are guaranteed.

IndyCar racing cannot afford the Indy 500 to be marred by accidents, as the event is the category’s one chance a year to reach a much wider audience after years of decline up against NASCAR.

But at least in contrast to the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500 should prove a better contest with so many more potential winners, including Aussie Will Power starting from the front row.

The Monaco-Indy double is the best weekend of events for motorsport fans and hopefully the racing lives up the hype of the historic races.

But if the build up to the events has been anything to go by, the showpiece races could be costly for the two categories.

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