“Monaco is a long-standing event,” Whitmarsh added. “The circuit hasn't changed much over the years, and there is a lot of history connected to the event. Inevitably it is a glamorous backdrop, and it brings motor racing right into the heart of the Principality.
“It has that glamour, it brings cars close to the people [and] it reminds people how quick
Formula 1 cars are and how brave the drivers are in a manner that is not always apparent when it is viewed from a distance behind large run-off areas. The race itself is fantastic, because it is so tight and so noisy – as a result the atmosphere is intense.
“If you get the opportunity to go up to Casino or another of the high-speed parts of the circuit, even for people who have spent many years around Formula 1 cars, they are incredibly quick, incredibly tight.
“Another factor that adds to the spectacle is overtaking. There is a common belief that overtaking improves the spectacle, but over the years Monaco produces exciting races because the field is often very close together in a train, usually behind a much slower car. You then have the faster drivers trying to force their way through, which entails a degree of risk no matter who you are passing. All these elements together lead to a highly-anticipated race meeting.”
Those are sentiments echoed by Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President Norbert Haug, who also pointed out that he expected a number of teams and drivers to be in with a shout during what is invariably the most unpredictable grand prix of the campaign. Ferrari team principal Stefanpo Domenicali has already said he believes that in addition to the usual suspects
McLaren and
Ferrari, BMW-Sauber and
Renault will also be right in the mix this coming weekend.
“Monaco is a very special race,” Haug acknowledged. “For the team, this grand prix is always an extraordinary race, not least because we have won five times in the ten years since our first joint victory with McLaren in 1998.
