Month: February 2022

After five weeks of hard racing, Ferrari Academy driver Arthur Leclerc sealed the title on Saturday, his four victories for Mumbai Falcons in the series mathematically securing the victory with two races to spare.

Supplementing his four victories were a further five podiums, allowing him to comfortably take the title, finishing 60 points ahead of his closest rival, Pepe Marti. The Yas Marina Circuit, which is best known for hosting the F1 season finale, was the scene of the final instalment of this year’s competition, rounding off the championship in perfect symmetry after it had also hosted the season opener.

Although a two-day event, the championship was ended as a contest on Saturday, the Monegasque driver finishing comfortably ahead of the rest of the pack to take the chequered flag.

The FRAC title is a major psychological boost to Leclerc, who is looking to follow in the footsteps of his brother Charles in making the step-up to F1. This year he will once again compete in F3 with Prema, where he will be racing for the second consecutive year.

Whilst the 18th March is a date fixed in the minds of motorsport fans globally, that being the day that F1 action finally returns, it also marks the beginning of Leclerc’s quest for F3 glory. Starting in Bahrain, the remaining eight races will all take place on classic European circuits.

Having settled at Prema last year, the 21-year-old will now be gunning for the F3 title, with the dream of racing in F1 a distant, albeit realistic dream.

Monaco’s chances of Champions League football next season are becoming increasingly remote, with Bordeaux inflicting the latest blow on Sunday. The Principality side have now registered back-to-back draws, despite a battling performance.

When Clement arrived at the start of the calendar year, he assumed the mantle of ensuring European football for the Principality side next season. He inherited a squad that lay sixth in the table, just four points off local rivals Nice, who were in second.

With so many teams in contention for just four places, any slip-ups were always likely to be punished. Last week’s draw to Lorient felt more like a missed opportunity than a fatal blow to their chances, with most of Monaco’s rivals also dropping points.

The same couldn’t be said at the end of a disastrous 15 minutes at the Matmut Atlantique on Sunday though, the overwhelming sense of doom-and-gloom giving way to frustration and indignation.

Finding himself in unfamiliar surroundings through the middle, a poorly coordinated and poorly oriented Caio Henrique attempted to clear what seemed an unthreatening ball into the box, but instead diverted it into the path of Remi Oudin, who smartly volleyed-home on the swivel.

A goal down, the away side would soon find themselves a man down as well. Already on a yellow, Aurelien Tchouameni, on his return to his formatory club, received a second for a relatively innocuous challenge.

The aftermath yielded more cards. Djibril Sidibe and then coach Clement went into the book for their protests at the controversial red card decision, the latter cutting a particularly frustrated figure on the sidelines.

The odds were stacked against Monaco, but their efforts would yet earn them a point. Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Principality side dug-in, and still managed to control possession. Despite a general lack of incision in the final-third, the pressure finally told.

The equaliser would come in fortuitous circumstances. Anel Ahmedhodzic’s clearance from Gelson Martin cross ricocheted off his defensive partner Marcelo, ultimately dribbling just over the line.

Both sides would have half-chances to take all three points, the best falling to Bordeaux in injury time, Henrique coming to the rescue as the Brazilian cleared off the line. In the end, both sides had to settle for a draw (1-1), which satisfies neither side, as they both hunt after their respective, greatly-differing objectives.

Monaco’s poor form on the road continues (no wins in four), and the consecutive draws against relegation-struggling sides deals both a psychological and tangible blow in their quest for European football. Just as when Clement arrived, Monaco currently find themselves in sixth, but now seven points behind Nice in third. Those dreams of Champions League football now seem exactly that – a dream. Their fate is out of their hands, and in failing to beat Bordeaux, they are failing to control the controllables.

Salvaging a draw from a difficult situation, Clement was nonetheless disappointed post-match. “We played with 10, but we dominated the match, we created more opportunities than the opposition, which isn’t easy,” the Belgian began. “I am very disappointed to lose two points that we would have deserved in normal circumstances. I was angry because the red card changed the game, playing an hour with just 10.”

Monaco next host Reims at the Stade Louis II on Sunday, aware that there is little room for any more slip-ups on the run-in.

Photo source: AS Monaco football club

A dominant second-half display from AS Monaco Basketball ensured the victory against Gravelines-Dunkerque (66-82) on Saturday, as Sasa Obradovic’s side remain on course for domestic play-off qualification.

In front of a full-house, Monaco made hard work of their task in the first-half. A stout Dunkerque defence limited the away side to a meagre 27-points in the first-half. Far from prolific themselves, Dunkerque did nonetheless manufacture a slender, albeit important lead (33-27).

Obradovic would undoubtedly have been disappointed with what he saw from his side, and whatever he may have said at half-time worked to great effect. Dunkerque struggled to cope with Monaco’s offensive barrage and saw their lead quickly eradicated.

According to Will Thomas, it was a mental change that allowed Monaco to take the upper-hand. “We changed our attitude at half-time. That’s how we gained control of the match and ensured victory.”

Key to the turnaround was Alpha Diallo, top-scorer on the night with 18 points, the American converting an impressive 5/6 three-point attempts.

Having flipped the game on its head in the third-quarter, there was no let-up in the fourth. Monaco instead hammered home their advantage with a strong finish, ultimately running out as comfortable winners (66-82).

The win leaves them one win off Lyon-Villeurbanne in second, whilst leaders Boulogne-Levallois are two victories away. More importantly, Monaco continue to consolidate their play-off qualification, whilst a return to winning ways will give confidence to the group ahead of a difficult week in the Euroleague.

Two consecutive matches at the Salle Gaston Medecin next week, firstly against Russian side Unics on Tuesday, and then against Fenerbache on Friday were already on the mind of Thomas post-match. “The rest of our calendar looks difficult, we need to concentrate on the next match.”

Photo by AS Monaco Basketball