15 years ago: missing diamond, middle finger and Trulli winner in Monaco

La Formula 1 in Monaco is not always synonymous with deep boredom. The 2004 edition kept viewers on their toes from start to finish, with racing events that only the Principality reserves. The proof in pictures :

A diamond worth 300 euros lost

In order to set up a marketing operation around the release of the film “Ocean's Twelve”, where a Hollywood casting attempts to steal precious loot, the Steinmetz jewelry brand is teaming up with Jaguar Racing (future Red Bull). The engine hood and nose are painted red and a 59,6 carat pink diamond is inlaid on the muzzle of Mark Webber and Christian Klien (their car, not their face). Value of the jewel: 300 dollars, or a little less than 000 euros. 

What can go wrong, when a valuable possession is placed on the nose of a qualified car in th place on the winding streets of Monaco? “An accident” would be the first logical thought. And you were right. Christian Klien hits the wall of tires at the Loews hairpin on… the first lap! 

By the time Jaguar personnel arrived at the accident scene, the diamond was gone. Steinmetz had not seen fit to insure his property. Oops… 15 years later, the fate of this jewel remains unknown. Perhaps it made a track marshal stationed there happy, or perhaps it was shattered upon impact. 

Fisico upside down

In this same first lap, there is panic in the peloton. The V10 Honda, so melodious behind Jenson Button at Imola a few weeks earlier, went up in smoke in Takuma Sato's BAR. In this mash of weight, Giancarlo Fisichella (Sauber) climbs the McLaren-Mercedes by David Coulthard at the Tabac bend. After a few seconds of worry, the Italian got out of his car unscathed. 

The middle finger ofAlonso

During his early youth, Fernando Alonso (Renault) had el sangre caliente. It is indeed not without reason that the media called him the “Taurus of Asturias”, his region of birth! Qualified in second place, the Spaniard kept his position until the 42nd lap. Under the tunnel, here is Ralf Schumacher (Williams-BMW), a lap late, must let him pass.  

But the impulsive nature of the future double world champion plays a dirty trick on him. He tries to overtake the laggard from the outside, passes through the bits of rubber, loses grip and hits the wall. As he slides out of the tunnel, he clearly expresses his feelings to his opponent with a middle finger. 

“They've been showing him the blue flag for quite a while, plague Fernando Alonso afterwards. Il (Ralf) should no longer see very clearly. Just when I was level with him in the tunnel, he accelerated for me to go wide. Ralf's justifications could come out of my two-year-old niece. He should have his license revoked and never fly again in his life. » 

Stupor at Ferrari

The Safety Car is dispatched to clear out Fernando Alonso's Renault R24. Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) takes the lead thanks to the pit stop of Jarno Trulli (Renault). The peloton slowly reforms, the green flag is already in the hands of the race director when at the exit of the tunnel, Michael Schumacher is only riding on three wheels! 

At the time, the on-board cameras are unable to film inside the tunnel. The cause of this accident is initially difficult to detect. After several slow motions, it turns out that the "Kaiser" has blocked its left front wheel to warm up your brakes. Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams-BMW), surprised by this untimely braking, touched him, which sent him into the wall. 

“I moved to the right side of the track to avoid him, explains the Colombian. But the margin narrowed and we collided. » The race management closed this incident without further action. 

Trulli's only victory

For once Jarno Trulli (Renault) doesn't stand out with his train! The Italian, placed in pole position, managed to hold off the return of Jenson Button (BAR) to sign what would remain his only success in Formula 1.

"I've waited so long for this (eight years), and victory comes to the best race of all, Monaco, rejoices the native of Pescara. I didn't take any risks. I did my job, everything was under control. It was a flawless weekend. »

Literally praised to the skies by Flavio Briatore at the foot of the podium, he fired him a few weeks later, officially by brand of results...