The team’s 100 per cent reliability record ended with retirement for both
Ralf Schumacher and
Jarno Trulli in Barcelona, but encouragement came from the Italian’s impressive qualifying display. The tight Monaco streets are a unique test of a driver's resolve, but Trulli has made something of a name for himself in the Principality, taking pole and winning the race in 2004.
“I am really looking forward to Monaco because it is one of the best race weekends of the year and I have always performed well there," he admits, "Of course, my victory from pole position in Monaco in 2004 is one of my happiest memories in
F1, but I have had many other good performances there as well. I am optimistic we can score a strong result this weekend and put what happened in Spain behind us. It was such a pity about the technical problem in Barcelona because I am certain I could have had a really good result. We were strong in qualifying and it was particularly encouraging to see we had the same fuel strategy as the leading cars, so performance-wise we have made a step forward. If we can get back to the reliability we showed at the start of the season, Monaco should be a positive weekend for us.”
Not that Schumacher can be counted out of the reckoning either, having taken pole in the Principality in 2003...
“Spain was a disappointing weekend for me, so obviously I am going to Monaco looking for a big improvement," the German insists, "Our car has improved, but we will be pushing hard for a better result in Monaco. It’s a tough race physically and mentally because you cannot afford even the smallest mistake, but I have good memories of taking pole position in Monaco in the past, so our first goal will be to qualify as high as possible to give me the best chance of a strong result.”
