Team-mate
Rubens Barrichello – who celebrated breaking Riccardo Patrese's long-held record for the highest number of
F1 starts in Istanbul last time out – has begun 15 Monaco Grands Prix and finished seven of them in the points, most memorably achieving Stewart Grand Prix's maiden rostrum finish in the top flight courtesy of the runner-up spot there in 1997. He is hoping to put all that experience to good use this year to open his points-scoring account for 2008 – and put a stop to a 22-race barren run that incredibly stretches all the way back to the end of 2006.
Admitting that the narrow streets of Monte Carlo are ‘bumpy and unforgiving' at the best of times, the 35-year-old stressed the need for good mechanical grip and drivability to cope with the low-speed, high-downforce demands of the track. He also admitted that drivers get a rare feeling for the true speed of a
Formula 1 car when they are travelling so perilously close to the circuit's barriers, and reckoned the first Monaco Grand Prix in the absence of traction control in almost a decade would be ‘interesting', to say the least…
“This will be my 16th Monaco Grand Prix,” the affable Brazilian confirmed, “so I know the circuit very well by now! Like everyone, Monaco is one of my favourite races and I have been successful here in the past, finishing on the podium four times.
“I particularly enjoying qualifying at Monaco – it's one of the biggest challenges of the year to get it right and give yourself the best chance in the race. Experience does count around Monaco, as the driver and your strategy can make the difference to the outcome of your race – it's not purely about car performance. And of course, on the day, you have to keep the car out of the barriers and bring it safely home.”
