When we were testing here in late April, the lap times were quicker than in 2005 because we are faster through the corners this year, most of the time has been found in the mid corner performance. This is partly because the smaller V8 engines allow new aero opportunities and also improved Michelin performance from last year. Where this had the most effect was at Copse, which is even quicker now than before, as it has always been one of the fastest we race through.
Winner of the 2005 race, Montoya ended a brief run of poor form at Monaco when he took a solid, if distant, second place behind Alonso. Back up to fifth in the drivers standings and still only four points behind Raikkonen, Montoya is determined to deliver another strong result on one of his favourite circuits.
"It was great to be back on the podium at Monaco and everyone in the team has continued to push hard since to try and find more performance in the car for the British Grand Prix.
Silverstone is a great track, with some really exciting corners, I love to race at it and I hope we can repeat the result from last year when I took my debut victory for the team in front of our home crowd.
It is such a contrast to the streets of Monte Carlo, it is all about super fast corners and pushing the limits of the car. The Maggots Becketts Chapel sequence at the start of the lap is awesome, you have to push really hard through here, so long as you have the
good balance you need, and are changing direction so quickly, hooking up the apexes, it is great fun!
Ferrari Michael Schumacher (#5), Felipe Massa (#6):
Two things emerged from the Monaco Grand Prix for
Michael Schumacher. Firstly, his dubious reputation for sportsmanship reared its ugly head once again during qualifying for the race, and secondly, his superior reputation for taking on a challenge in the race.
