Q:
Nelson, your feelings about this circuit. Is it a home circuit for you?
Nelson Piquet Jr:
A little bit, yes. Obviously, I know the place quite well. I lived here for eight years until I was eight and then I went to Brazil. I feel quite comfortable here and have a few friends. I know the place quite well. It is different coming here than other grands prix. At other grands prix we know some cities just by going there every year. This one I know a bit more by living and knowing the streets and knowing the good places to eat. Even having friends and being able to call somebody and go to their house. It is just a little bit different for me.
Q:
What are the feelings about the race itself and the circuit when you are driving around and there is absolutely no margin for error? How do you approach this race?
NP:
The first time I drove here I felt quite comfortable. I thought it was going to be tough but I mean I drove Macau in F3 and you know how tough a street circuit can be. Monaco is tough but the average speed is much lower than Macau, so I find it quite good. It is a nice, twisty little circuit. It is not too quick and obviously the quicker the track is, the more difficult it is, especially street circuits. It is not too bumpy. Every year they try to make the surface the best they can. I didn't drive here last year, so I don't know how it is but from 2006 the track was pretty good. I feel really good. I like driving here.
Q:
The track wasn't very kind to you in GP2.
NP:
No, that's true. The first race I had to stop because of failures. But I still like it. I just need to put things together and hope the result will come.
Q:
Do you approach it at all with any caution?
NP:
Obviously you need to have a little bit of strategy. In the first practice if you damage the car you are probably going to lose the second one, so you need to be a bit careful and know when to risk at the right time. The grip on the track is going to be really poor at the beginning and lap after lap it is going to be quicker and quicker. There is a right moment when to push and having a crash here is normal as you try and find the limits. If you are lucky you don't, but I think it is natural for the driver to push trying to find the limits. I remember
Lewis Hamilton last year having an accident. I think Giancarlo did as well. It is natural and normal trying to find the limits and pushing to the edge.
Q:
Sébastien, I guess it is a while since you've seen anything like Monaco? Is there anything similar in the United States at all?
Sébastien Bourdais:
Obviously, there are a lot of street courses in the States but none really compare to what we have here. It is a very challenging and interesting one. It has been quite good to me in the past. I have always been very fast here and liked it. It is not France but as close as it can be without being France. I think it is a very special venue for me and obviously I want to do well. Toro Rosso have the new car here and we will see how it shakes up. But hopefully we will have a good weekend.
