Monaco: Villeneuve cost us victory, says Dennis

By Phil Huff (02/06/2003)
June 2 2003

Lucky Strike BAR Honda driver Jacques Villeneuve cost Kimi Raikkonen any chance of victory, at least according to McLaren Mercedes boss Ron Dennis.

Raikkonen was trying to lap Villeneuve when he lost a few seconds behind the Canadian. "He cost Kimi any chance of winning the race," said Dennis. "He blocked him for over a lap and then didn't really follow the blue flags."

"The Monaco traffic was particularly frustrating," continued the disgruntled McLaren boss. "There were several cars that had the ability to go quicker and I think we were one of them but as always here it is all about grid positions and that is why the race unfolded the way it did."

Passing is incredibly difficult at Monaco, as David Coulthard knows only too well. Back in 2001 he spent 41 laps behind Enrique Bernoldi in an outclassed Arrows.

This years Monaco Grand Prix didn't see a single overtaking move for position in the whole race, bar the run down to the first corner. Any moves were either drivers lapping, or in the pit lane.