Monaco Grand Prix - Preview
HARBOUR FASTER
In terms of logistics it can be an awkward place for teams
to work. It is certainly an awkward place for drivers to manoeuvre
Formula 1 cars at 200km/h. But Monaco remains the big draw
of the world championship calendar, 77 years after the first
grand prix around its twisting streets. Some call it an anachronism,
others a throwback to motor sport's glittering heyday. But
anyone lucky enough to have sampled the atmosphere around
this cluttered principality on race weekend agrees that it
is special. At this year's race Panasonic Toyota Racing's
new TF106B car will make its race debut in the hands of Ralf
Schumacher and Jarno Trulli as the team looks to make up ground
after the difficult race in Spain.
Ralf Schumacher (Car 7): "From a driving
point of view it's great to drive at Monaco and a challenge
to be quicker than everyone else round the narrow streets.
The barriers are closer than anywhere so you need to adapt
your approach slightly. But that is something we have all
got used to down the years. The first challenge is to secure
a good place on the grid and then to try and finish the race
without mishap. Still, I have always been quick there and
I've taken pole position and a podium in the past. Last year
I made the points and we will hope for more this weekend.
Tyre choice is always tricky because the track changes so
much during the weekend. But if you have a driveable car here
it's fun so I'll be looking forward to trying out our new
TF106B."
Jarno Trulli (Car 8): "Monaco is one
of my favourite tracks and it's a great event with a fantastic
atmosphere. It's also a circuit where things have always gone
well for me, above all when I won the race from pole position
in 2004. Qualifying is critical for the race because of the
notorious difficulty in overtaking and Saturday should be
extremely eventful. This year's qualifying rules mean that
we can expect a lot of traffic during the sessions. They are
likely to be chaotic, with cars getting in each other's way
and the fight for grid positions could turn into something
of a lottery. It's hard enough putting a lap together around
the streets when they are clear, but it is all but impossible
to pass even a much slower car. Nonetheless I am looking forward
to returning to action on this classic circuit and hoping
for a good result."
Pascal Vasselon - Senior General Manager Chassis:
"At Monaco you are so close to the track that you can
feel how fast an F1 car really is. So it is a special place
and it will be even more special this year because we will
run our TF106B for the first time. The car is a long-planned
mechanical evolution of the TF106 that we have raced so far
this year, featuring a development of the new front suspension
concept introduced on the TF105B at the end of the 2005 season.
Our policy is constant evolution and the TF106B gives us an
excellent mechanical base for continued aerodynamic development
during the season. At Monaco we always run a different aerodynamic
configuration anyway to achieve maximum downforce around the
twisty streets, but it's a place that tyres and driver are
more important than anywhere else. We have made good progress
in partnership with Bridgestone and we have two drivers who
always perform well at Monaco so we are looking forward to
it."
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