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2006 FORMULA 1: MONACO GP  

• 64th Monaco GP
• BEFORE RACE, ALONSO: "Monaco is a show for the people. As drivers, I think we have to help make that show we provide, enjoy it and try to be as spectacular as possible for the fans."

2006 RACE RESULT

• 1. FERNANDO ALONSO (SPA) RENAULT
• 2. JUAN PABLO MONTOYA (COL) MCLAREN-MERCEDES +14.567
• 3. DAVID COULTHARD (GB) RED BULL-FERRARI +25.598
• 4. RUBENS BARRICHELLO (BRZ) HONDA +53.337
• 5. MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (GER) FERRARI +53.830
• 6. GIANCARLO FISICHELLA (ITA) RENAULT +1:02.072
• 7. NICK HEIDFELD (GER) BMW SAUBER +1 LAP
• 8. RALF SCHUMACHER (GER) TOYOTA
• 9. FELIPE MASSA (BRZ) FERRARI
• 10. VITANTONIO LIUZZI (ITA) TORO ROSSO-COSWORTH
  11. JENSON BUTTON (GB) HONDA
  12. CHRISTIJAN ALBERS (NED) MIDLAND-TOYOTA
  13. SCOTT SPEED (US) TORO ROSSO-COSWORTH
  14. JACQUES VILLENEUVE (CAN) BMW SAUBER
  15. TIAGO MONTEIRO (POR) MIDLAND-TOYOTA +2 LAPS
  16. FRANCK MONTAGNY (FRA) SUPER AGURI-HONDA +3 LAPS
  17. JARNO TRULLI (ITA) TOYOTA +5 LAPS
• DNF
• CHRISTIAN KLIEN (AUT) REDBULL-FERRARI LAP 56
• NICO ROSBERG (GER) WILLIAMS-COSWORTH LAP 51
• KIMI RAIKKONEN (FIN) MCLAREN-MERCEDES LAP 50
• MARK WEBBER (AUS) WILLIAMS-COSWORTH LAP 48
• TAKUMA SATO (JPN) SUPER AGURI-HONDA LAP 46

WINNER, FERNANDO ALONSO / REANULT:

• " I think first of all, I want to dedicate this victory to Edouard Michelin of whom we had such sad news on Friday. I think Michelin have done a great job in Formula One over the last two or three years and especially this year, and again this race - to give us the possibility to win and to beat our opponents - I think this victory extends to Michelin. All three drivers on the podium were on Michelin tyres so thanks to them, and I dedicate this to them and all their work.
• Yes, it's true that the race was quite emotional but for sure, starting from pole position makes things a little bit easier. Kimi put some pressure on me in the race. I was controlling the tyres a bit for the right moment to push because it's impossible to overtake, so I slowed down a little bit, but yeah, it was not an easy race. You have to keep concentrated at Monaco, not touch anybody for seventy-eight laps, push to the limit and we managed to win this race. It was one of the races in the calendar I had put a cross against and thanks to all of the team and Michelin, we did it."

McLAREN RACE REPORT

• Team McLaren Mercedes driver Juan Pablo Montoya finished today's Monaco Grand Prix in second position. Team mate Kimi Raikkonen retired from second place on lap 51 having never been more than a second behind eventual race winner Fernando Alonso. Both drivers were on two-stop strategies.
• Juan Pablo came in for the first time on lap 21 (9.9 seconds) whilst Kimi pitted one lap later (10.3 seconds). Both drivers used the Safety Car period starting on lap 49 for their second stops which lasted 6.3 seconds (Kimi) and 7.4 seconds (Juan Pablo).
• Kimi is fourth in the Drivers' ranking with 27 points and Juan Pablo is now fifth with 23 points. Team McLaren Mercedes holds third place in the Constructors' Championship with 50 points. In preparation for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone the team will be testing at Barcelona this coming week.
• Juan Pablo Montoya, 2nd: "I'm pleased with today's result as it's a reward for everybody at McLaren and Mercedes who have been working hard for the past couple of weeks to improve our competitiveness. As is often the case in Monaco I really struggled with traffic and lost too much time to Fernando to be able to mount a challenge when I had a clear track ahead of me."
• "The car was good, and I think we could have won today if things had gone our way. However Monaco is such an unpredictable race where you have to be in the right place at the right time. We now want to work hard to continue our progress. There is still some way to go, but I'm really looking forward to the British Grand Prix."
• Kimi Raikkonen, DNF: "Things just didn't go my way today. Our strategy would probably have meant that I would have been able to take the lead after the second series of pitstops, but we really lost out when the Safety Car came out. Then there was a small fire caused by a heat shield which damaged a wiring loom and that was the end of the race for me."
• "It's always disappointing to retire both for me and the team, but it's particularly hard when you all know that you are in with a good chance to win. However we have made progress, and the car was really competitive today, and we aim to do well at Silverstone."
• Ron Dennis: "A good result for Juan Pablo whose challenge for the lead was hampered by the traffic between him and Fernando following his last stop which took place during the Safety Car period. After the first round of pitstops it was clear to us that Kimi had seven laps more fuel than Fernando."
• "Kimi was just saving his tyres and engine but then the deployment of the Safety Car following Webber's on-track retirement caused us to lose this advantage. During Kimi's stop the exhaust temperature rose significantly and failed to cool sufficiently following his return to the track behind the Safety Car. The excessive heat burnt a wiring loom which finished his race. At least we were very competitive, and our target is to maintain the momentum into Silverstone."
• Norbert Haug: "We showed good speed during the whole weekend and the right strategy to be in with the best chance of winning. I am sorry for Kimi who had to retire due to a heat shield fire. Well done to Juan Pablo who drove a solid race to finish second. This weekend has seen us taking a step forward, and we want to continue this trend. We are now looking forward to the next race at Silverstone."

RED BULL RACE REPORT

• David Coulthard: 3rd: "It's so great, fantastic. It's been a couple of years since I was on the podium, so it's especially great to finish on it here in Monaco. It's the first podium for Red Bull Racing too and a great reward for all the team's hard work."
• "Monaco's always a tough race. Once you get into it, you think you've done about fifty laps, but then you see that you've only done about twelve. It's such a hard, physical race and takes a lot out of you."
• Christian Klien: DNF: "I lost drive during the race and that was the end of it. It's such a shame as the car was feeling strong until that point and I was up for a good points finish."
• "It's frustrating that the car wasn't reliable and we need to work harder to ensure we get more race finishes. It was a great result for David though, and it shows the car has potential, which is encouraging."
• Christian Horner: "It's a fantastic result for the whole team. David's driven well all weekend and was desperately unlucky in qualifying, but now he's got the result he deserved. It was a great strategy from the team, when we decided to change from a two-stop to a one-stop race and David did really well."
• "But, let's not forget Christian in all this. He was looking really strong here and was very unfortunate to suffer a loss of drive in his car. We're sure that, without that problem, he would have been right up there too today."

2006 QUALIFYING

• Michael Schumacher who set the fastest qualifying time has been demoted to back of the grid for obstructing other cars. Schumacher's Ferrari stalled on the final lap of qualifying and was thought to be deliberate . Alonso was on track to take pole away from Schumacher and he will start from pole.
• Alonso, before being promoted to pole: "I would have been on pole for sure today, without the problem on the final lap. I think we had a very good strategy for qualifying and the performance from the Michelin tyres was fantastic. So to lose my fastest lap through an accident for somebody else is not a good moment"
• FIA: "The stewards can find no justifiable reason for the driver (M Schumacher) to have braked with such undue, excessive and unusual pressure at this part of the circuit and are therefore left with no alternative but to conclude that the driver deliberately stopped his car on the circuit ... This is a breach of 2006 Formula One sporting regulations article 116 and hence a driving infringement ...The stewards accordingly direct that the qualifying times of Michael Schumacher, the driver of car number five, be deleted ..the driver will start the race from the back of the grid."
• FERRARI (Jean Todt): "We totally disagree with it. Michael was on his final timed lap and was trying to put his first place beyond doubt, as could be seen from the fact that his first split time was the best ... With no real evidence, the stewards have assumed he is guilty."

RENAULT QUALIFYING REPORT (BEFORE PROMOTION TO POLE)

• The Renault F1 Team took second and fifth positions this afternoon in qualifying for the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix, with Fernando Alonso leading team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella. This was the strongest combined team result of the afternoon.
• As expected, the session proved frantic on the narrow circuit, with on- track incidents and traffic making it difficult to get a clear timed lap on new tyres. Both Renault drivers came through the opening two knockout sessions without difficulty, and the R26 was performing well.
• With two runs on new tyres planned for the super-pole session, the drivers completed their first run without difficulty, both setting competitive times. They were in the middle of even quicker ones, in the final minutes of the session, when both were forced to back off in the final sector for the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher, which was positioned across the circuit in Rascasse. This certainly cost Fernando Alonso pole, and Giancarlo Fisichella a position on the first two rows.
• Nevertheless, the team remains optimistic for tomorrow's race, and encouraged by the performance of the R26 and its Michelin tyres on long runs.
• Fernando Alonso, 2nd position: "I would have been on pole for sure today, without the problem on the final lap. I think we had a very good strategy for qualifying and the performance from the Michelin tyres was fantastic. So to lose my fastest lap through an accident for somebody else is not a good moment, but I suppose these things happen in Monaco ..."
• "For the race, I am optimistic that we have a good set-up, and something more in the Michelin tyres that will help us against our rivals. The car was excellent today, so I hope I can fight for the win tomorrow.
• Giancarlo Fisichella, 5th position: "This qualifying session turned out pretty much as we expected, with a lot of traffic and then yellow flags on the last timed lap, when I found Schumacher in the middle of the penultimate corner. Fifth position is not what I had expected from qualifying today, but this is a long race where everything is possible. The balance of the car is good for the race, and the R26 has been easy to drive. I am still very confident for the race.
• Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering: "There was a lot of speculation before qualifying about how difficult the session would be in Monaco, and indeed it was a very fraught hour. A lot of judgement was needed as to when to use new tyres, but the management of the traffic was still largely down to luck. We were very pleased with the performance of the cars throughout the session, but extremely surprised to see Michael make a suspicious mistake at the end of the super-pole that looked as if it had come from a novice driver not a world champion."
• "There is no doubt that this cost us pole position, and both our drivers had their fastest laps spoiled. Nevertheless, we have Fernando on the front row, and Giancarlo in fifth position. The car has been quick and easy to drive all weekend, and the Michelin tyres seem to be relishing the hot conditions. Everything looks extremely positive for tomorrow's race.
• Denis Chevrier, Head of Trackside Engine Operations: "The most encouraging part of today's running, was to see our drivers take the strongest team result on the grid for tomorrow's race -- even though we are certain it could have been even better, were it not for a very dubious incident involving Schumacher's Ferrari."
• "The only thing we can now do is focus on the positives: we know the car has the pace to fight for the win, and we have completed a lot of incident-free laps in practice in preparation for the race. Overall, it has been a good day -- with some disappointment in the final minutes of qualifying. We expect tomorrow to be even better.

WILLIAMS QUALIFYING REPORT (BEFORE PROMOTION TO 2ND FOR WEBBER)

• Sam Michael, Technical Director, WilliamsF1: "Mark did a fantastic job in qualifying and he will have a really strong race tomorrow. His last lap was almost two tenths faster before he had to back off to avoid Michael's parked car so he would have been on the front row."
• "Obviously it's disappointing to have Nico in 10th position, he spent too much time in traffic. The car, tyre and engine performance is definitely strong here at Monaco. Our Bridgestone tyres are working well and we had no mechanical problems today."
• Mark Webber: "Saturday has turned out to be a reasonable day for us. We qualified pretty well in 3rd position and I think we were maybe improving a little bit until we got the yellow flag due to Michael Schumacher's stoppage, which of course hurt everybody."
• "Anyway, the crucial thing for us is the race and we want to get to the end and get some of the points that I think we deserve. It's been a strong effort from the team in the last few days. We now need to capitalise on this starting opportunity, at a track where qualifying is so important."
• Nico Rosberg: "Q3 was not good for me today. I made it into the top ten and then traffic just prevented me from setting a faster lap. I was behind Coulthard when he was on a flying lap, but then he didn't let me by when I was on my flying lap, and basically spoilt my qualifying. It's a shame, because there was definitely more in the car today than a 10th place."
• Chris Jilbert, Principal Engineer Cosworth, F1 Race Engineering:
• "A fantastic qualifying result for Williams and Cosworth. It's superb to have a Cosworth-powered car start from the second row of the grid here in Monaco and it is a great reward for a lot of very hard work from all involved."

HONDA THU PRACTICE REPORT

• The Honda Racing F1 Team's third driver Anthony Davidson ended both of today's free practice sessions in 2nd position, despite his second session being curtailed halfway through when he locked up his front left wheel and hit the tyre barrier at St Devote.
• Until that point Anthony had been demonstrating that the RA106 is working well here this weekend as he conducted the majority of the Honda team's running this morning and completed the most laps of all of the drivers.
• This afternoon, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello took over the tyre comparison work to end the day as the 6th and 10th fastest race drivers, whilst also getting a taste of just how frenetic tomorrow's qualifying session is likely to prove as this tight and twisty street circuit gets its first taste of the new shoot-out system.
• Anthony Davidson: "I'm obviously extremely disappointed to end the day like this after running so well to end both sessions in 2nd position. I made a small mistake when I locked up the inside front, hit the barrier at turn 1 and this unfortunately created a lot of damage to the left front of the car."
• "Up until that point the day had gone very well and the car was feeling really good, so it was a shame that we were unable to complete the tyre comparison. I love driving here and I think both qualifying and the race will be very exciting."
• Jenson Button: "It's been tough all day today and the lap time hasn't been there. On the last run we changed the set-up and it seemed to improve the car quite a bit. What you need at this circuit is confidence and I'm getting more and more confident with the set-up of the car here. We still need to work on our competitiveness for qualifying because we are not there yet."
• Rubens Barrichello: "I think today has shown that it is going to be very hectic in qualifying this weekend with the traffic. Apart from that the car is running well. It's not fast enough at the moment; I'm lacking a lot of traction and we need to work on our race pace. I'm quite confident that the car is quick and we just need to make sure that it's fast enough for Sunday now."
• Gil de Ferran, Sporting Director: "Anthony was quite fast over both a short and a long run, especially if you consider how early in the session he achieved his fastest lap. However, as a result of his accident we were unable to complete the whole programme that had been planned for him."
• "Overall we still collected plenty of information to help make a decision on the tyres and to improve the race cars before Saturday. Today also gave us a taste of how hectic and exciting qualifying is going to be!"

WILLIAMS THU PRACTICE REPORT

• Sam Michael, Technical Director, WilliamsF1:
• "We had much busier practice sessions than normal due to the laps needed around the Monaco circuit and our extended programme here. Alex worked through the tyre assessments and it will be a difficult choice as Bridgestone have brought two good compounds, so we will study the data tonight and tomorrow to see which one to select."
• "We had a problem with a suspension component on Alex's car halfway through the afternoon session, so we decided to stop the race cars and make the same changes, which cost us about ten minutes of practice time. Everything else has gone to plan, including brakes and cooling although our set-up still needs some work, which we will study now."
• Alex Wurz: "Today we worked mainly on race set-up, in order to get the car ready for Mark and Nico for Sunday. I went through my tyre choice and I have to say the way the circuit is progressing, it is coming to us just as it did at the Nurburgring, which is good. This makes me quite confident and positive that we will have a good weekend. I am also happy with my own performance today because I made no mistakes despite pushing quite hard and I am pleased that at the end of the day my name is at the top of the timesheets."
• Nico Rosberg: "Driving on this street circuit in a Formula One car is an amazing experience. I completed my first day unscathed, despite touching the barriers slightly on one occasion, which marked my tyres, but this is the best way to make a mistake here! Today has gone okay and we have improved quite a lot during the two sessions, thanks to a number of changes we have made. We now have an extra day without track running to consider all the information we have collected and get ready for qualifying."
• Mark Webber: "We got through our programme despite everybody being interrupted in the second session with the red flags but it is the same for everyone. We've got a fair bit on to try and find a better balance and some more pace, but it was a normal and uneventful Monaco Thursday for us, which is good."
• Chris Jilbert, Principal Engineer -- Cosworth, F1 Race Engineering:
• "There were no significant mechanical or driveability issues highlighted with the CA2006 engines during the two sessions today. Both Mark and Nico are using the latest 4 Series engines here in Monaco following successful testing at Vallelunga, and on the dyno in Northampton."

2006 RACE PREVIEW (RENAULT  McLAREN  HONDA  WILLIAMS  SHELL  TOYOTA )

RENAULT PREVIEW (TOP OF PAGE)

• Fernando Alonso: "Monaco is a fantastic show for the people"
• Q: Fernando, Monaco is often called the ultimate drivers' circuit. Is it your favourite track of the year?
• Fernando Alonso: Monaco is different to anywhere else, completely different. First of all, we run a special set-up to cope with the bumps and tight corners, so the car feels very different and is quite hard to drive. The circuit is so tight, that it is hard to get the car and tyres to the maximum, or to use maximum power on this track. At the end of the day, from the point of view of getting maximum performance from a Formula 1 car, this is not my favourite circuit.
• Q: So what do you enjoy about the race weekend in Monte-Carlo?
• FA: For me, Monaco is a show for the people. As drivers, I think we have to help make that show we provide, enjoy it and try to be as spectacular as possible for the fans.
• Q: You mentioned a special set-up on the car. How easy is it to find the sweet spot of the handling in Monaco?
• FA: It is nearly impossible and in Monaco, sometimes you have to guess a little bit with set-up, and make changes thinking about qualifying and the race, not the immediate moment. The circuit starts the weekend very dirty and cleans up with every lap, getting better and better all the time. So you have to have some guesses, and put a set-up on the car, then work from there.
• Q: People often say that the only important thing is to qualify well in Monaco, because overtaking is so hard. Do you agree?
• FA: For sure, we set-up the car for qualifying, and work all weekend to get that perfect lap. If you are on the front row, then if you finish the race, it is almost 100% certain you will be on the podium. If you are not in the top five in qualifying, then you can forget the podium. So qualifying is where you need to take a lot of risks, but necessary risks. It is the key to the race.
• Q: A lot of people have expressed worries about how the 2006 qualifying format will work at such a tight circuit. What do you think?
• FA: I think everybody will be a little bit worried about qualifying. Already in Monaco, you normally have a lot of traffic in every session, and this year qualifying will be very tough. I think the first 15 minutes will be hardest because one yellow flag, or if the guy in front has problems, then you could be out. So we need to be careful, and for sure we will have a different strategy to make sure we get into the top ten.
• Q: You won the last race in Barcelona, a circuit that shows the quality of the overall package. What are the chances for the R26 in Monaco?
• FA: I think the car will be quick there. You need good traction at this circuit, and that has been a strong point for the R26 all the way through the season so far. Michelin did a fantastic job in Spain, and they have always been very strong in Monaco, so they should be there as well. This has been a good Renault track in the past but more than ever, we will need a perfect, mistake-free weekend to fight for the win. That will be what we are focusing on.
• Giancarlo Fisichella: "I am very confident the R26 will be quick in Monaco"
• Q: Giancarlo, you have always been known as something of a Monaco specialist. What do you enjoy about driving in the Principality?
• Giancarlo Fisichella: It has always been a great circuit for me, and I have always been quick there. It is a very difficult circuit, but I have always enjoyed it and, more importantly, felt very comfortable driving there. I think that the race is going to be very tough physically and mentally, but I am really looking forward to it.
• Q: What does it feel like on Thursday when you do the first laps?
• GF: It is really unusual! The feeling is very different compared to the first laps of the weekend at a normal circuit. You know, you go round the first few times and you're telling yourself that it's impossible to drive on the limit at this track. Then, after ten or fifteen laps, you get more confidence, you feel more comfortable, you start braking later, and you find the limit.
• Q: How important is it to have a driveable car there?
• GF: You have to feel comfortable with everything. The R26 is a really easy car to drive -- you can trust it when you are on the limit. As we build up the speed during the weekend, we will be getting closer and closer to the kerbs and the barriers, as we push to go flat out for qualifying. You need a car that is going to react how you want, and I think the Renault will do that.
• Q: So you are feeling confident for the performance in Monaco?
• GF: I am sure the R26 will be quick there, yes. The last race in Barcelona was good for me: after some difficult times, I had a weekend without problems and got to the podium, so I was pleased with that. We know that the battle is very tough at the moment, and a lot will depend on the Michelin tyres this weekend. The test team worked hard to find the right choices last week at Paul Ricard, so I think we can be optimistic. I am very confident I can have a very good weekend in Monaco.
• Monaco Tech File
• Monaco is a unique circuit in the Formula 1 season. It is often talked about as THE race of the year, and the tight, twisting street circuit needs a special approach to get the best from the R26.
• Chassis
• Ride heights: Monaco is not only a very twisty circuit, but it is also extremely bumpy, sharply cambered and slippery, particularly early in the weekend when little rubber has been put down on the racing line. We therefore raise ride heights by between 5 and 7 mm relative to normal in order to cope with the surface variations on the circuit.
• Suspension: In order to obtain the best possible level of grip, we use soft suspension settings, which also help the car ride the bumps and cope with the sharp cambers. The bumpy surface means the wheels must be able to move independently to ride the bumps, and we soften the anti-roll bars to achieve this. Camber angles are also a focus of special attention, and we run them fairly high -- but not so much as to make the car unstable in the bumpy, high-speed braking zones.
• Aerodynamics: Monaco sees us run the highest downforce level of the year, and the cars often sprout extra appendages for this race to claw back even more aerodynamic advantage. The downforce brings benefits not just in the corners, but under braking and acceleration. Straight-line speed is of little importance at this circuit, and we sometimes runs higher drag levels than normal in order to get more downforce.
• Steering angle: The Grand Hotel hairpin is the tightest of the season, and demands the highest steering angle of the year. It is, for example, two times more than anything required at the last race in Barcelona. We also calibrate the traction control system and differential to help the car turn on the throttle.
• Engine
• Performance: Monaco does not initially seem a demanding engine circuit, as the drivers spend just 50% of the lap at full throttle -- the lowest value of the year. However, that is something of an urban myth, and numerous challenges must be tackled to get the maximum from the RS26. The bumpy surface means there is a real risk of over-revving. In terms of performance, it is important to have a driveable engine with good torque, even from very low revs, in order to launch out of the slow corners.
• Gearbox: We use closely-spaced gear ratios at this circuit in order to optimise acceleration, and get the most from the engine at slow speeds.
• Cooling: The absence of significant straights makes cooling the engine difficult, especially as the short gear ratios mean the engine is often running at high revs even though the car is moving relatively slowly through the air. This presents a challenge for cooling the car effectively, and we sometimes have to open up the bodywork to ensure the engine does not overheat. However, with aerodynamic efficiency less of a priority here than elsewhere, this does bring its usual lap-time penalty, should it be required.

McLAREN PREVIEW (TOP OF PAGE)

• The 2006 Monaco Grand Prix marks the 40th anniversary of McLaren, with the team making its Formula 1 race debut at the event in 1966 with founder Bruce McLaren at the wheel of the M2B. Bruce, who had previously won the event in 1962, became the youngest ever Formula 1 Driver/Constructor to enter a race, at the age of 29.
• Since this time McLaren has won the prestigious race on 13 occasions, which is more than any other Formula 1 team. McLaren's first Monaco Grand Prix victory occurred in 1984 with Alain Prost and the team went on to win every single year, apart from 1987, until 1993. Ayrton Senna won the event a record six times, for which five of those victories he was driving for McLaren.
• Since the partnership with Mercedes-Benz began, Team McLaren Mercedes has won the Grand Prix on four separate occasions. Mika Hakkinen in 1998 and David Coulthard in 2000 and 2002. Last year Kimi Raikkonen won the race with a dominant victory from pole position. As Juan Pablo Montoya took victory in 2003 (with BMW Williams), Team McLaren Mercedes is the only current team that has two drivers who have won the legendary race.
• The Grand Prix round the streets of Monte Carlo, which is being run for the 64th time this year, is widely regarded as the 'Jewel in the Crown' on the Formula 1 calendar. From 25th -- 28th May, the glamorous Principality is taken over by the sport for a race, which is, considered to be among the most demanding for both drivers and teams.
• Kimi Raikkonen:
• "Monte Carlo is a completely different challenge to the Barcelona track we will be pushing hard for victory. To lay the foundation for a good result you have to perform well in qualifying. In Monaco overtaking is almost impossible as the track is so twisty and narrow. Because of this, I am sure we will see some interesting strategies from all the teams."
• "Also Monaco is all about the car being responsive, particularly the front end. You are less aggressive under braking here into the corners because the barriers are so close and you need to be precise, and a responsive front end means the car is better in the mid corner and exit performance, allowing you to get on the throttle without having to wait for the car to turn the corner."
• "At Monaco this is where you can find time, so the handling of the car and the mechanical grip are more important than other areas, such as aero efficiency."
• Juan Pablo Montoya:
• "Everything about the Monaco Grand Prix is great, it is such an historic track and this creates a fantastic atmosphere. It is a unique challenge to race at because of its short, tight layout and other factors such as the gutters and manhole covers, the camber as the road crowns and all the white lines. Despite all this, the ride height isn't massively high, instead we run with suspension that has more compliance than normal."
• "It isn't very comfy for the drivers, as you really feel all the bumps, but you don't notice it because you are there to race. Also the corner loadings and pressures on straights are much less so it is not too tough physically."
• "Cooling is another issue at Monaco, because there are no real straights. As a result we run with the maximum cooling package of the season and we spent time at Paul Ricard last week focusing on the Monaco spec for cooling."
• "We covered over 3,000km in total at the test and in addition to work for Monaco, we also looked at specific components and set-ups for the much faster Canadian Grand Prix."
• Martin Whitmarsh, CEO Formula One, Team McLaren Mercedes:
• "The Monaco Grand Prix is the most prestigious event of the year, this is partly the location but also the heritage. The race holds particular significance for the team, as McLaren made its Formula 1 debut at Monte Carlo 40 years ago."
• "Whilst we are pushing hard to develop the performance of the MP4- 21, we are aware we have a challenge ahead on the streets of Monte Carlo if we are to build on this record. Because there is such low grip we will run the softest Michelin tyres of the year."
• "Team McLaren Mercedes conducted a four day test at the Paul Ricard track last week, where our work with Michelin focused on tyre selection for Monaco. The track was in a configuration to mimic as much as possible the street circuit and we were able to get some positive feedback with Michelin and other areas of the test programme such as the bodywork modifications for the race."
• "Monaco will also see us use the maximum downforce configuration, good front end grip for exact turning into the tight corners, an engine with good torque and an efficient traction control."
• Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport:
• "Traditionally this Grand Prix is the highlight of the Formula One season, because the street circuit of Monaco today is as unique a venue for a Formula One race as during its premiere 77 years ago. Everything is different from all other permanent race tracks."
• "The challenge for the drivers regarding concentration and precision is even bigger and therefore winning in the principality is most prestigious. Driving at the limit through the canal between the barriers it can happen easily that a driver hits the guard rails; this happened already to World Champions when they were in the lead without pressure."
• "The new qualifying format with all competing cars on the track will cause a thriller we haven't seen before this season and in the last couple of years. To find a clear lap in these conditions won't be easy and we can therefore expect a mixed grid with some surprising positions."
• "With 260 kilometres the race is the shortest of the season; not concerning the driving time, however, and when it rains it might happen that the Grand Prix will last for the maximum time of two hours. The team has good memories of Monaco. Including last year's race Team McLaren Mercedes have won there on four occasions since 1998."

SHELL PREVIEW (TOP OF PAGE)

HONDA PREVIEW (TOP OF PAGE)

• The Honda Racing F1 Team heads to the tiny principality of Monaco next week for one of the most traditional and exciting events on the F1 calendar. The Monaco Grand Prix, round seven of the 2006 FIA World Championship, is the one race which all drivers want to win at some time in their career. The narrow, twisty and bumpy street circuit presents a unique challenge, with a good qualifying position being crucial as over-taking is extremely difficult and the armco-lined streets leave no margin for error.
• Monaco is a home Grand Prix for the team's race drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, both of whom live in Monte Carlo. It is also a race where both drivers have done particularly well in the past, with Rubens finishing on the podium at Monaco four times during his career and Jenson securing an excellent second position in 2004.
• Following a two-car points finish at the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend, the team has been hard at work on the test track in Vallelunga this week to fine-tune the set-up of the RA106 race car and its Michelin tyres for the Monaco race.
• Rubens Barrichello:
• "Like most drivers, Monaco is one of my favourite races and it's always a bonus to be based at home. I particularly enjoy qualifying at Monaco, it's one of the biggest challenges of the year and so important to get right. Overtaking is very difficult around the street circuit so you have to qualify well and get a good grid position. We had a positive test at Vallelunga working on chassis set-up and tyres specifically for this race. We know that the potential is there for the car to qualify well so I'm looking forward to a good weekend."
• Jenson Button:
• "I'm really looking forward to this year's Monaco Grand Prix. I had a good race there in 2004, finishing second after a really exciting battle. It's a crazy place to be racing, the circuit is very tight and twisty and you can really feel the speed of the car when the barriers are so close to you. It's a different race than any other on the calendar, with so much history, and it means even more to me as I live in Monaco so it's one of my home races."
• "You need good mechanical grip from the car and this is also a circuit where the driver can make even more of a difference to the race outcome. We've been really strong in qualifying all this year and that will be very important for the race as it's almost impossible to overtake except in the pit stops. It's also a fantastic race for the fans who can get so close to the action."
• Gil de Ferran, Sporting Director:
• "Monaco is unique in many ways and it certainly has a special place in F1 history. For the teams, cars and drivers, it also represents a tough challenge. The nature of the tight and twisty circuit emphasises different performance areas on the car than at other tracks."
• "In preparation for the event, we tested a configuration of the Vallelunga circuit that most closely replicated the layout that we will encounter next weekend. During the test, we evaluated aerodynamic, mechanical and tyre specifications specially designed for the streets of Monaco. All the preparation is done - our drivers enjoy the track - let the weekend begin!"
• Shuhei Nakamoto, Management Board Member - Honda Racing F1 Team, Engineering Director - Honda Racing Development:
• "Monaco presents its own special challenges for the engine, and we have been working hard on improving its performance. We had a positive test around a specially-adapted circuit at Vallelunga, so we are feeling positive for this special weekend in the calendar."

WILLIAMS PREVIEW (TOP OF PAGE)

• The Event
• Monaco hosts its 64th Grand Prix this weekend in the glittering sovereign state, one of the premier social events on the international sporting calendar. The highlight of the season, and undoubtedly the jewel in Formula One's crown, the Monaco Grand Prix is a very different proposition to any other encountered throughout the year, but one which every driver dreams of winning. Historically, Monte Carlo has proved somewhat of an enigma to Williams with Montoya's 2003 victory breaking a 20-year nemesis, so the team is working towards a competitive weekend in the Principality.
• Between the races
• The two week break following the Spanish Grand Prix afforded the team a four day test session in Vallelunga, Italy, last week. Webber, Wurz and Karthikeyan carried out an extensive programme, including the evaluations of aero and mechanical specifications in preparation for Monaco. Starts work, tyre compound testing, traction control development and brake work was also completed.
• Over the four days, the trio covered nearly 2,500 kilometres. A quick trip to Santa Pod in the UK for starts practice with Narain Karthikeyan on Tuesday this week finalised the team's homework for the race. Both the team's race drivers made their regular trips to Grove between the races to catch up with staff, before consultations with their engineers ahead of the Grand Prix.
• Making the car go faster
• As part of the team's scheduled development programme, Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg's FW28s will take to the Monaco streets with further aerodynamic upgrades, while both will benefit from Monaco- specific devices developed to compensate for the loss of aero efficiency induced by the need for high downforce rear wings.
• Monaco from a technical perspective
• One of the few remaining traditional street circuits, Monaco is a tight, undulating track, characterised by an unpredictable nature, and one which poses continual set-up challenges throughout the weekend. To endure each of the 78, 3.340km laps, a high downforce set-up is a pre- requisite to generate traction out of the slow corners and under the many braking events, while a strong mechanical and aerodynamic package is critical to counter balance the low grip levels.
• The low average lap speed (highest speeds are recorded in the tunnel where the drivers reach 290kp/h), combined with a modest full throttle ratio, mean engines do not suffer significant loads, whereas a durable gearbox is essential to cope with an average 3,300 shifts over the race distance, 500 more changes than a conventional circuit.
• Precision engineering alone will not secure success, however, exacting standards from the driver are also key to prevent Monaco's trademark Armco claiming the car as a victim. Qualifying performance is disproportionately rewarded in the Principality, so, with opportunities to overtake rare and traffic a cause for concern, an astute strategy could take home the spoils.
• Mark Webber:
• "Monaco is certainly a very special race on the calendar for everyone involved in Formula One. It's an historic event and one we all want to do well at. We had a good result there last year and I hope we can improve on the previous race in Barcelona by quite some margin and get some solid points for the team."
• "I love the challenge of Monte Carlo and, as a sporting event, the atmosphere is absolutely amazing. I really hope it will prove to be a turn in fortunes, and form, for the team. It can't come soon enough after the last race and I'm just looking forward to getting there."
• Nico Rosberg:
• "Monaco will be a special weekend for me. Racing in the town where I have lived all my life, and with all my friends supporting me on such a fascinating circuit, will be great. I had a great race here in GP2 when I finished third and, although the track will be quite different in a Formula One car, I'm going into the weekend with a strong belief that we can do well."
• Sam Michael, Technical Director, WilliamsF1:
• "Last week we were at the Vallelunga circuit, near Rome, where we spent the four days mainly testing tyres for Bridgestone, but also working on mechanical and aerodynamic set-up for Monaco's maximum downforce circuit. Because Monaco is a street circuit, the increase in grip levels over the race weekend is significant. Formula One tyres are very soft for Monaco and therefore a lot of rubber is laid down on the track. Also, as with any street circuit, there is a lot of oil and other contaminants on the road surface."
• "Overtaking is extremely difficult in Monaco, but not impossible, as Williams showed in last year's race, so qualifying and race strategy are key to a good result here. We have an aerodynamic upgrade on the FW28 especially for this race to ensure we get the best out of this maximum downforce track."
• Simon Corbyn, Head of F1 Race Engineering, Cosworth:
• "Monaco presents a unique challenge for Formula One engines due to the nature of the circuit, it also places maximum demands on engine driveability and effective control strategies rather than outright engine performance. It is vital to qualify well here to maximise the opportunity of a good race result and the 2006 qualifying format will no doubt make Saturday afternoon pretty exciting."
• "Both Mark and Nico are scheduled to start the event with fresh CA2006 Series 4 engines fitted with the latest performance and reliability updates. Cosworth had a good test last week in Vallelunga and we're looking forward to Monaco."

TOYOTA PREVIEW (TOP OF PAGE)

• 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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