Monaco GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

Next quotes are from the Sauber boys!

Adrian Sutil - "The Monaco Grand Prix is a very nice event every year. I really like the track. For us, the most important aspect will be that our car works well and we can achieve a good performance. My objective is to travel back home with some points in my pocket. Looking back, I have good memories from the races in Monte Carlo as I collected some points almost every year. Last year it was an exciting race for me which I finished in fifth position. It is always a special Grand Prix, and I am looking forward to it."

Esteban Gutierrez - 

"The street circuit in Monaco is a very special track and one of my favourites on the calendar. As the track has many slow speed corners, we need to have a stable car. Our focus will be to get things sorted out and to make sure we are on target. What I like the most in Monte Carlo is driving on the narrow track between the guardrails. It is very challenging as you don't have a lot of space, and for a perfect lap you get very close to the barriers. The closer you get, the more you are pushing to the limit, so using every centimetre of the track. It is very exciting and racing on the streets of Monte Carlo is always a different kind of feeling."

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Quotes made by Drivers. 

Monaco GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Red Bull

More quotes and these ones are from Redbull!

Sebastian Vettel - "Monaco is one of my favourite tracks, it's an absolute challenge. You cannot afford to make one single mistake, because you would easily crash into the railings. Overtaking is only possible with taking an extreme risk. The best place to overtake is before the harbour chicane when we exit the narrow tunnel at 300kph and race towards the first gear chicane. Other than that, it's all about patience in Monaco and hoping for complete reliability as the suspension and drive are massively in demand around this extreme, uneven rollercoaster of a circuit - it's immense. In the perfect situation, you would have had a good quali and start from the front. Monaco offers some really great memories with the team, especially when everyone ended up jumping in the pool and one year Mark and I even ended up in the harbour. It's very special in Monaco and it's the race where we have our Energy Station with its larger outside area floating in the harbour, it's a great, great event."

Daniel Ricciardo - "

In Monte Carlo it's impossible to do that calm, detached racing driver thing. Every year I'm determined I'm going to approach the weekend in a coldly logical way, and every year I end up bouncing up and down and getting excited. It's just amazing. The atmosphere in town and down at the harbour, the history of the race, the massive crowd, it's a real buzz. The track is properly old-school. Driving an F1 car anywhere is special, the speed, the power and the acceleration just blows you away. But here it's... cool. I know there's that quote about racing at Monaco being like riding a bicycle around your bathroom - well when I was a kid I used to love riding my little bike around inside the house. It was more fun, there were more obstacles and a bit more danger. That really is what this is like. Experience definitely helps: the driver can make a big difference if he knows the tricks that a fast lap demands."

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Quotes made by Drivers.

Monaco GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Lotus

Next quotes from Lotus!

Romain Grosjean - "It's an exciting and glamorous Grand Prix and always a step into the unknown, because it's difficult to predict how well each car will work there. It's a crazy week with all the focus and attention, but everyone loves Monaco. As a driver you have to stay calm and relaxed on a track that doesn't allow for any mistakes. I've been super quick in the past, but also hit the walls! There will be less grip than in the past, so we will have to be careful with the right foot. The emphasis at Monaco is on low speed corners, which is not our greatest strength, but the team worked with Monaco in mind during the Barcelona test. We'll do our best with set-up and of course Monaco is less engine dependent than most circuits, which is better for us. It was nice not only to score points in Barcelona, but also to be fifth on the grid in qualifying - if we can do that again in Monaco it'll be very good for us..."

Pastor Maldonado - "I really love Monaco. I've been very quick in the past and I think it is one of the most special weekends of the year. The car has made a big step forward from where we were, which I think is a great boost for everyone at Enstone and of course as a driver it gives me more confidence in the car so I can aim to achieve better results. If you think about where we were and where we are now it is an incredible step forward – particularly when the other teams are moving forward with their development too. It's a true testament to the team's capabilities and I hope we can start to get the results on track that we so deserve."

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Quotes made by drivers. 

Monaco GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Mercedes

First preview quotes for the Monaco GP come from Mercedes!

Lewis Hamilton - “It's been a busy few weeks for me, both on track and away from it, but I'm pleased to be getting back to racing again next weekend. And what a place to get back to it! Monaco is just incredible to drive and any driver will tell you that's the race they want to win. So many great names become legends around this circuit. It's an honour to fight for your place amongst them and a real test of your skills behind the wheel. The last few races have been just incredible. I honestly never expected I'd win four consecutive Grands Prix in my career and I'd love to continue that run here. I've had some work to do in terms of getting the car exactly as I want it after the weekend in Spain: it was so close between our cars at the end and I need to keep pushing to find any extra edge I can. The car has been strong at every race so far and I'm sure it'll be the same in Monaco, so we should be set for an entertaining weekend.”

Nico Rosberg - “Monaco: my home town! Obviously, I associate many wonderful memories with this place. It's where I grew up and where I now live as an adult. But in sporting terms too, I have had some great moments there: in particular last year when I won there for the first time in my Formula One career. That was an absolutely incredible feeling. Driving a Formula One car there is simply fantastic and it's an event every driver looks forward to each year. Overall I was quite pleased with the last race weekend in Barcelona. Disappointed, of course, not to have taken the win but happy that the team achieved another one-two finish. The Championship battle is very close and to re-gain the advantage at my home race would be fantastic, so I'll be pushing harder than ever to make that happen. I had a productive day of testing in Barcelona where we made some good progress with braking and starts: two areas that I feel are costing me time at the moment. Hopefully that will give me the extra edge next weekend. It should be an exciting weekend and I can't wait to get started.”

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Quotes made by drivers. 

Monaco GP: Circuit Preview

  (I do not own this image. Photo credit goes to: www.vr.picparc.co.uk) 

My favourite Grand Prix is almost here, the beautiful and incredible Monaco GP. This street circuit is one of the most popular on the current F1 Calendar. There are many events that are held during the GP weekend including the Amber Lounge Fashion Show and the Charity soccer event. F1 drivers tend to take part in both of those events and also attend multiple parties and media events.

The "Circuit De Monaco" is located in Monte Carlo, Monaco and is a Street Circuit. It opened back in 1929 and the current version of the circuit is 2.075 miles and has 19 turns. As many, this one also runs clockwise. The drivers will do a whopping 78 laps here and it's one of the few circuits where the lap total is over 65.

This is by far, one of the most dangerous circuits as well and one of the only ones with a tunnel. If the tunnel wasn't distracting enough for a driver, when you exit, you're faced with a tight chicane. Many people have crashed at that area, but recently, the safety has become much better. 

Now, let's take a quick look-back at last years Monaco GP!

Nico Rosberg took Pole Position for the Mercedes AMG Petronas team and was the leader for the entire race. Sebastian Vettel came in Second and Mark Webber in Third, making it a double Red Bull podium. 

One of the most exciting moments was a very tight passing battle between Kimi Raikkonen and Sergio Perez. There was a moment they were so close to eachother that Kimi ended up giving Perez no room and the McLaren was scraping the side of the wall. Although there was no crash, it was still a hair-raising moment.

Retirements included: 

Sergio Perez with brake failure, but he still qualified as finishing 16th, as he had completed over 90% of the race. 

Romain Grosjean, Pastor Maldonado & Daniel Ricciardo all had to retire from collisions.

Charles Pic retired with a Gearbox issue and Jules Bianchi retired with a brake problem.

Felipe Massa was forced to retire with a Suspension issue.

So, with everything said, we're probably in for another exciting and head-turning race at Monaco and I'll be bringing you all the updates and commentary for the Free Practice Sessions as well as the Drivers quotes and re-caps of all sessions. 

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Photo credit goes to: www.vr.picparc.co.uk

Monaco GP: Schedule

We're in the middle of May and that means it's time for one of my favourite Grand Prixs! The Grand Prix de Monaco! Monaco has one of the most famed street circuits and I always look forward to this race. 

One thing that is different is that there is no F1 Activities on Friday, where as usually, that's when the first two Free Practice Sessions take place, instead they will take place on Thursday and the drivers press conference will take place on Wednesday. So, here is the full schedule and remember the times are in Local Monaco Time, if you'd like it converted to your time zone, just let me know.

SCHEDULE:

May 21st - Wednesday

15:00 - Drivers Press Conference (Located In Press Room)

May 22nd - Thursday

10:00 - 11:30 - Free Practice #1

14:00 - 15:30 - Free Practice #2

16:00 - 17:00 - Press Conference (Located In Press Room)

May 23rd - Friday

- No F1 Activities

May 24th - Saturday 

08:00 - 08:30 - Team Pit-Stop Practice

08:00 - 08:30 - Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk

11:00 - 12:00 - Free Practice #3

12:15 - 13:45 - Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk

14:00 - Qualifying

May 25th - Sunday

08:00 - 09:00 - Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk

12:25 - 13:15 - Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk

12:30 - Drivers Track Parade

12:45 - 13:15 - Starting Grid Presentation

13:45 - National Anthem

14:00 - Race

(Times & Schedule subject to change.)

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Oh, Monaco: The battle of Perez and Raikkonen!

Yesterday's Grand Prix took place in the beautiful Monte Carlo, Monaco. As always, it was entertaining and nothing less than spectacular. But, every Grand Prix comes with some drama... And this one was a doozey.
 
During the final laps, Sergio Perez had quite a battle with Kimi Raikkonen, and the two collided when Kimi edged Sergio into a wall. Kimi's car hit the McLaren, and pieces flew off of the Lotus. Kimi was furious during the race, calling Perez an "Idiot" over the team radio. After that, Perez was ordered by the McLaren team to retire, due to Brake Failure.
 
Kimi was only more angry after the race, when he ended up in 10th place. In an interview, Kimi bluntly said that Perez needed "To be punched in the face." In response to a question asking if the Lotus team would have a sit down with the McLaren driver. Kimi Raikkonen has taken it too far, making it sound like a physical threat towards Sergio.
 
Sergio is at no illegal fault for trying to pass Kimi during the race, and was not given an order to slow down, or not pass Kimi. He was only doing what he was supposed to be doing: Racing. Formula1 is a dangerous sport, and accidents happen. Kimi needs to calm down, and re-think what happened, for he is the one who shoved Perez into the wall. Perez is NOT responsible for the accident.
 
Earlier on in the race, Perez made an incredible pass on team mate, Jenson Button, and Button praised him afterwards, for doing so. The two seem to be getting along very well since Perez's joining of the McLaren team/family this season.
 
So, great job to Sergio and Jenson. McLaren is getting stronger!

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
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