2006 United States Grand Prix - Preview
MF1 Racing returns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway
for Round 10 of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the
U.S. Grand Prix.
The oldest permanent track still in use today, the Speedway
is a true motor sport institution. Built in 1909, the track
was originally constructed of crushed stone and tar. However,
following a spate of accidents that first year, the decision
was taken to replace the surface with bricks: 3.2 million
of them, to be precise. Thus the legend of 'The Brickyard'
was born. Today, only a yard-wide band of bricks at the start/finish
line remains visible, with modern asphalt applied to the rest
of the track.
The United States has hosted a Formula One Grand Prix at
various locations throughout the country since 1959, but the
race has been held exclusively at the Speedway since 2000.
In 2005, problems with Michelin tyres led to seven teams
withdrawing from the race after the warm-up lap. As a result,
Tiago Monteiro finished in third place for the team and earned
his first F1 podium. Christijan Albers, then driving for Minardi,
came home in 5th position.
Tiago Monteiro (POR), Race Driver, Car #18:
"This is a very special place for me. I took my first
F1 podium here after what was admittedly a very strange race,
but that doesn't diminish the pride I feel in my team for
having achieved it. I've always loved Indy because it's also
where my Champ Car team was based when I raced in that series
in 2003, so I have a few friends there, as well. There is
so much history at this track and it's also a nice place to
drive, with a very technical infield and then this long, incredibly
fast straight. I really enjoyed driving there in the past
and I'm looking forward to doing it again."
Christijan Albers (NED), Race Driver, Car #19:
"I hope we can do much better at Indianapolis than we
did in Canada, which was really a disappointing weekend because
we weren't able to get the maximum out of the car. The incident
with Tiago was really unfortunate, too. It can only mean that
things will get better at the Brickyard. Hopefully, we can
find the right set-up for the car and do well in qualifying.
The guys in the wind tunnel are working hard on a number of
improvements for the car and hopefully they will be ready
in time for the US Grand Prix."
Giorgio Mondini (SUI), Test and Reserve Driver:
"This will be my first time driving at Indy, so I'm very
excited to be here. I'm really looking forward to the speeds
we will be reaching on the banks and straight sections, although
it's in the more technical infield section that the car will
really be in its element. The team scored a wonderful result
here under very strange circumstances last year, but I think
we can still have a good showing with a full field."
Colin Kolles, Managing Director: "I
am looking forward to a race without incidents so that we
can demonstrate our true potential. This will be another challenging
circuit for us, as Indianapolis is a circuit that emphasises
the importance of top speed and that is one of our biggest
issues at the moment. But, as always, we will give our best
effort to be as competitive as possible and capitalise on
any available opportunities."
Dominic Harlow, Chief Race and Test Engineer: "The
circuit here in Indy has two very contrasting features in
the oval course sector and the road course infield. One demands
a very long period of full throttle acceleration with two
flat out banked corners, and the other is quite low speed
with the fastest corners taken at considerably less than 200Km/h.
The net result for the cars is a wing level quite similar
to last weekend's race in Canada and a set-up compromise that
can cope with the high inertial loads generated in the banked
corners. In a relatively short lap, this circuit tests the
chassis, engine and tyres in a unique way and, together with
our partners at Toyota and Bridgestone, we are looking forward
to working through these challenges this weekend."
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