"We tested both options in Paul Ricard last week but, as Monaco is the only street circuit on the calendar and you cannot test on it, it is difficult to reproduce its conditions during testing," he explains, "The Monaco streets have such low grip that we shall be using the very soft compound tyre to maximise the mechanical grip. But, if you put to great a force on these tyres, they will not survive. We collected valuable data at Ricard, so hopefully we can make them work on our car, but it will be challenging on the super soft option."
THE TRACK:
Race Distance: 78 laps - Circuit Length: 2.075 miles (3.340 kms)
Conceived by Antony Noghès, and always held on the weekend following Ascension Day, the Monaco Grand Prix remains the most famous race on the F1 calendar. First held in 1929, the street circuit is tight, twisty, bumpy, slow and totally unforgiving - an anachronism for today's
Formula One cars that gasp and crawl around its 3.340km lap.
However, Monaco remains the race that every driver dreams of winning. In terms of chassis set-up, the one overriding concern at Monaco is downforce. Overall speeds are low - cars may reach a maximum of 290kph through the famous tunnel, but the average speed for a lap is less than half that.
The result is that engineers throw everything they can at their cars to generate downforce and optimise low-speed handling. Securing a good grid position is vital since overtaking is truly problematic, while fuel consumption and tyre wear are not significant issues. It's a weekend that requires maximum concentration and consistency from drivers and team members alike.
THE WINNER?
There is a train of thought that it will be Monte Carlo or bust for
Lewis Hamilton. The Briton is currently riding the crest of a wave that has taken him to four podiums in as many races since his debut, and a first win cannot be far away. Hamilton has an unblemished record at Monaco, which he is keen to extend to
F1, but that growing confidence could also be his downfall on a circuit where precision is key. Ready to pick up the pieces will be team-mate Fernando Alonso and Ferrari rival
Kimi Raikkonen, both previous Monaco winners, and
Felipe Massa, also on a roll after three successive poles and two straight race wins. Of course, Monaco is renowned as something of a lottery so, if you're looking for a surprise winner, try either BMW Sauber or track 'experts'
Jarno Trulli and
Giancarlo Fisichella, although it would take a cruel twist of fate to remove the entire top four.
LAST SEASON:
Fernando Alonso finally won the Monaco Grand Prix as he took advantage of pole position, and was spared race-long pressure as misfortune befell the chasing Kimi Raikkonen and
Mark Webber, the Australian podium-bound in his best outing for
Williams. Juan Pablo Montoya eventually completed the podium - his last for
McLaren - while David Coulthard completed the top three for
Red Bull - a result that saw the Scot don a cape for the regal celebrations and team boss Christian Horner jump - allegedly naked - into RBR's hospitality swimming pool! The one-stopping Rubens Barrichello took fourth for
Honda, while
Michael Schumacher, having been penalised for blocking the track in the closing moments of qualifying, claimed fifth from the very back of the grid. Giancarlo Fisichella, also penalised, pulled off two of the best passing moves of the race, but lost out under the safety car, and had to make do with sixth, ahead of German duo Nick Heidfeld and
Ralf Schumacher.
1.
Fernando Alonso Spain
Renault-Renault 1:43.43.116 78 laps
2.
Juan Pablo Montoya Colombia
McLaren-Mercedes +14.5
3.
David Coulthard Britain
Red Bull-Ferrari +52.2
4.
Rubens Barrichello Brazil
Honda-Honda +53.3
5.
Michael Schumacher Germany
Ferrari-Ferrari +53.8
6.
Giancarlo Fisichella Italy
Renault-Renault +1:02.020
7.
Nick Heidfeld Germany
BMW Sauber-BMW +1 lap
8.
Ralf Schumacher Germany
Toyota-Toyota +1 lap
