BMW Sauber F1 Team - Monaco Grand Prix - Preview
5th of 17 World Championship races
The most prestigious race of the season is just around the
corner. The Monaco Grand Prix is a law unto itself: speeds
topping 280 km/h are permitted in the town centre, a city
circuit that throws up the ultimate challenge in terms of
precision driving. Sheer engine power alone doesn't get you
very far here, but aerodynamic downforce is of the essence.
Passing manoeuvres are a thing of rarity, so a good starting
slot on the grid is invaluable. Friday is traditionally free
of F1 engine noise as numerous spectators arrive in their
yachts, turning the harbour into one of the flashiest marine
parking lots in the world - and an almost seamless pedestrian
walkway. For some the Monaco Grand Prix spells fun and entertainment,
for others it's a matter of high-performance sport and high-tech.
The BMW Sauber F1 Team with its drivers Nick Heidfeld and
Robert Kubica heads for the Principality with the aim of further
bolstering its third place in the constructors' standings.
Nick Heidfeld:
"I'm looking forward to Monaco. Everything about this
race is just spectacular: the backdrop with all those yachts,
the stars and starlets, the parties, and unfortunately the
prices as well. And, of course, the circuit itself. You can't
really put into words what it's like to drive a F1 race car
through the built-up streets. The ratio of narrowness to speed
simply defies description, and it's something I really enjoy.
Two years ago I came second in Monaco. Last year we had a
fault during qualifying, which meant I started from 16th,
but still managed to pick up two championship points by finishing
seventh. It goes to show that the key thing in Monaco is not
to make any mistakes.
"The Monaco GP is a highlight not just for us drivers,
but for the spectators as well. Nowhere else can you get so
close to the circuit. At modern race tracks the fans are miles
away from the action. Also, the sound of the engines downtown
is out of this world. I lived in Monaco for a few years and
had a lot of fun there. I was looking for a quieter long-term
environment for my private life, but I love coming back to
Monte Carlo year after year."
Robert Kubica:
"From a driver's point of view the Monaco Grand Prix
is something really special in the Formula One calendar. There's
very little room for error and you're driving at the limit
virtually the whole time. You can't afford to slip up on these
narrow streets. I've raced in Monte Carlo in the World Series
by Renault, but this year it will be an experience for me
to appear there for the first time in a Formula One race.
In 2006 I drove on Friday at the GP, but not very much because
of technical problems.
"For the first time since the start of the season in
Melbourne, high downforce is required again, and that's another
reason why I'm looking forward to Monaco. It's going to be
a real challenge and I can't wait to see how well we do. In
the past I've always managed all right on city circuits."
Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
"The Monaco Grand Prix is fascinating. On the one hand
it's the highlight of the season, and on the other it's an
anachronism. The race puts the teams under extreme pressure
due to the narrow circuit, it's an extreme challenge for the
drivers because of the sheer precision it demands, and for
the spectators it's a unique experience to be so close. No
grand prix is as famous as this one and none as glamorous.
Yachts and partying are a matter of taste, but Monaco wouldn't
be the same without them.
"Technically, the aerodynamic requirement is for maximum
downforce and an engine that copes well in the low rev ranges
as well. Both our cars are on schedule to receive fresh engines.
We haven't had any problems so far this season on the engine
side. We managed to get to the bottom of the gearbox problem
in Nick's F1.07 in Barcelona before the race day was over,
and corrective measures were already being applied during
the test in Paul Ricard. We have also worked through Nick's
botched-up pit stop and learnt the lessons for any future
incidents.
"For us in Monte Carlo it's a case of notching up a
fault-free weekend and further cementing our third place in
the constructors' standings."
Willy Rampf, Technical Director:
"Monaco is a circuit you simply can't compare with any
other. It's always got some surprises up its sleeve and the
latest team rankings can easily be shaken up here. After our
positive test session in Paul Ricard I think we are well prepared.
Monaco is the circuit with the lowest average speed, which
is why maximum downforce is so important. Greater downward
pressure takes precedence over efficiency, and coming out
of the many slow turns demands good traction above all.
"It is also crucial that the car responds with absolute
precision and predictability, because the tiniest of errors
will mean hitting the crash barriers and the end of the race.
The car will go to Monaco with aerodynamic modifications,
and we are using a front axle specially developed just for
this race to ensure there's enough steering angle in the tight
turns like the former Loews Corner."
History and background:
The history of how the Principality of Monaco got its name
already alludes to its unique status. Here, in the 5th century
BC, Greek settlers erected a temple dedicated to Hercules
"Monoikos", which translates along the lines of
Hercules "Alone".
Covering an area of 1.97 square kilometres, Monaco is the
world's second smallest independent state after the Vatican.
It is made up of the districts of Monte Carlo, La Condamine,
Fontvieille, Le Larvotto, Les Moneghetti and Monaco Ville.
This state that knows neither income tax nor inheritance tax
has a population of 33,300, only 5,070 of whom are true Monegasques.
Monaco is the most densely populated state in the world. A
constitutional hereditary monarchy, it is headed by Prince
Albert II.
Monaco has the shortest GP circuit, covering a distance of
3.340 kilometres. It boasts the highest number of laps per
race (78) but the shortest race distance of the season at
260.520 kilometres.
Since 1950, 53 grands prix have been held in Monaco, with
the circuit length varying between 3.145 and 3.370 kilometres.
For the first 14 GPs hosted here, the race distance covered
a total of 100 laps. The most successful driver in Monaco
to date is Ayrton Senna, who took away six victories.
It wasn't until 2004 that garages were built alongside the
pit lane in Monaco. Prior to that the teams had to push the
cars back and forth between the makeshift garages in the paddock
and the pit lane for each practice and qualifying session
and for the race.
On Fridays the Formula One engines remain silent in Monaco,
which is why the first two free practice sessions are held
on Thursday.
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