Home
 
Race Categories Teams-Pilots Photos Cars-Tuning Lifestyle E-Cards
20.05.2008

Force India Formula One Team - Monaco Grand Prix Preview

There are 18 Grands Prix on this year's F1's World Championship calendar and they all count for the same amount of points, but one race stands above all the others in terms of pure spectacle, glamour and prestige: the Monaco Grand Prix.

Racing is, however, what it's all about come Sunday afternoon, and the challenges of the twisty, bumpy 3.34km track are unique in the F1 world. Run through the hallowed streets of Monte Carlo in the south of France, the track cuts through the famed Casino Square, down via a sequence of turns and hairpins into the tunnel and then skirts round the harbour jam-packed with yachts, rounds the Rascasse before roaring down one of Monaco's main streets and uphill back towards the casino.

Both Force India drivers have strong experience of the challenges of the circuit and have enjoyed good performances there throughout their careers. Adrian Sutil has held the F3 lap record round the Principality, a feat he achieved in 2005 when he was team-mate to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, and was a spectacular fastest during last year's Saturday free practice.

Giancarlo Fisichella has meanwhile competed in every Monaco Grand Prix since 1996 and will celebrate his 200th race start at this event. The Italian has finished on the podium twice in 1998 and 2000 and last year came home in a morale-boosting 4th position.

Dr. Vijay Mallya, chairman and managing director

We intend to put on a good show in Monaco, both from a sporting and commercial aspect. Monaco is a race that is so famous world-wide that almost everybody knows it and wants to come to it, so it is not only important from a team point of view, but from a sponsors' point of view as well.

I think glamour and sport go together and I think the glamour and the entertainment that we have emphasised since we have been in F1 is much appreciated. If we have, in turn, contributed in any way to the glamorous aspect of F1, then I think we've done a good job. It promotes the team, it promotes the sponsors of the team, I think it promotes F1 in general. We intend to persist!

As important as the glamour and panache is in Monaco, the greatest show there is is the race and we are on stage and have to perform. This track should suit us better than Istanbul, but having acknowledged that, the objective of the team is to get up to a level where we can race competitively on any circuit.

Turkey might have seemed disappointing from the outside, but I did not leave the track feeling down at heart. We were certainly no further back from the opposition than we have been in previous races and, in fact compared to the fastest time of the weekend, we were the closest we have been all year. Our position is now just a measure of how competitive F1 is this year. There are no inefficient teams: you just have 10 professional teams, and we are undoubtedly the smallest, newest kid on the block.

I am sure however that Monaco will be a different story. It's a real driver's track and I have every confidence in both my drivers here - just look at their track records. Giancarlo - who reaches a great career milestone this weekend - has achieved some fantastic results here against expectations, while Adrian posted the fastest time in practice on Saturday morning last year. That tells a story of its own.

Colin Kolles, team principal

After a disappointing Turkish Grand Prix we should be in a position to be more competitive in Monaco and have both cars reaching the finish line.

For Adrian and Giancarlo it's one of their favourite circuits and I am expecting a good result.

Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer

Monaco is a very unique track due to its nature and it was actually one of the tracks that we were closest to getting into Q2 last year. Both our drivers love the circuit and have some good experience - Adrian was an F3 lap record holder round there and went quickest in one of the practices last year, plus Giancarlo has been very quick there in the past. I believe there will be some races where we will spring surprises and I think Monaco will be one of them. We just have to concentrate on doing our job and get two cars to the finish.

As most of the teams will be doing, we have a new aero package that is designed specifically for this race. In Monaco, which has no real high speed parts on the track, you tend to run items that produce high levels of drag that you wouldn't run on other tracks, simply because they are inefficient on long straights. That's not the case in Monaco however, where you need as much grip as possible to get round the tight hairpins and corners.

The new package includes updates to the wings, additional winglets and further modifications that will give more downforce. It has been tested in Paul Ricard last week, and gave some good results.

For Giancarlo, it's his 200th race and, at a circuit he very much likes, I am sure he will want to put in a good performance. Similarly that should be a spur to Adrian as now he is growing in confidence and needs to start showing that in terms of results. It was very important for him to get that race finish in Turkey: he has been gaining in confidence throughout the last events, understanding the tyres a bit more and getting more pace out of the car to match Giancarlo.

 

Driver quotes

Giancarlo Fisichella

Monaco will be my 200th race start, and it feels a long way away from my debut that's for sure, but I still feel as good and as confident as I did back then. Rubens' record of 257 starts will be hard to beat, but there is definitely a feeling of satisfaction to reach this milestone that only a handful of other drivers have got to. Even more satisfying is to know that I have a lot more to give and am still motivated to do well.

To celebrate this at Monaco is fantastic as it's the best track in the world, one of my favourites, as the twisty track itself is phenomenal, the fans are so close to the cars so you get a real atmosphere, and the surroundings are so beautiful. It's certainly the best place for a celebration - I have to hope that we can celebrate a good result on Sunday too!

Monaco has given me some good results, but last year was particularly good as I came home 4th when no one was expecting it. It was a result the team desperately needed too. Realistically this year we can't hope for 4th, but one point is my target - everything else that comes on top of that is a bonus. We have a new aero package that will for sure help us, but the whole race is a lottery so you've got to be lucky too.

Adrian Sutil

Monaco is one of my favourite tracks as it's the first real street circuit we go to this year. It's such a special place, with a unique atmosphere, there's a lot going on and the track is just fantastic.

I'm really looking forward to it as, even though we didn't finish last year, it was actually one of my best weekends. It was such a great feeling when I saw my name in P1 on Saturday - no one expected it! For me it was important as that stage in the season as it gave me a lot of good feedback and made people realise we are serious about what we do.

We have a better car this year and I hope we can do well. It can be tricky if it rains, but I don't mind as we saw last year! It was important for me to finish in Turkey as we could get a lot more mileage and also for my confidence to finish a race. Now I think we need to stay concentrated and get more finishes, do a good job and get a good result.

Monaco Grand Prix information

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most famous, and most historic, races on the calendar. The tiny Principality bordered by France has hosted 54 F1 races since 1950 and, despite its anachronistic nature, is a real classic that is universally popular with teams and drivers.

Monte Carlo was for many years the only street race on the calendar, until this year's addition of Valencia and Singapore. It's a unique challenge from an engineering perspective and setting up a car for this event is almost completely without compromise. Teams go for maximum downforce, maximum mechanical grip, the softest tyre compounds, and the longest race strategies. Most teams will also run an aero upgrade tailored to this event combined with some suspension modifications to give maximum grip to negotiate the myriad of turns.

Qualifying for this race is even more important than at other tracks since overtaking is practically impossible given the tight, narrow nature of the track. It also doesn't allow for any mistakes, with its jungle of corners, kerbstones and guardrails just inches from the sidepods.

Uniquely in the F1 world, free practice will take place on Thursday, with Friday being a 'day of rest' for the teams. Preparations will continue, however no running occurs from Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning.

 

- Lucy Nell-





Author: maggy (admin2)
Last modified: Tuesday, 20.05.2008 - 05:24
More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.

Dr. Vijay Mallya Q&A: 'We'll take away a lot of positives'28.05.08
Adrian Sutil really put Force India and Kingfisher on the map with his brilliant performance in Monaco, which sadly ended after he was knocked out of fourth place by World Champion Kimi Raikkonen. The race was an emotional roller coaster for...

Interview Fernando Alonso „Eine verpasste Gelegenheit"26.05.08
Der zweifache Weltmeister in Diensten von Renault F1 blickt auf sein Monaco-Rennen zurück.  Fernando, wie lief dein Rennen? Fernando Alonso "Es war sehr schwierig. Wie ich gestern schon sagte, ist bei Regenrennen alles möglich. Du kannst...

McLaren 15th Monaco victory25.05.08
Lewis Hamilton MP4-23 04 Heikki Kovalainen MP4-23 05 2008 MONACO GRAND PRIX (McLaren’s 15th Monaco victory)   Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the Monaco Grand Prix and took the lead in the Formula 1 Drivers’...

Force India Formula One Team race review25.05.08
2008 Monaco Grand Prix Race Adrian Sutil (car 20, VJM01/02): DNF: 1:48:51.228 (67 laps) Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21, VJM01/04): DNF: 1:00:56.637 (36 laps)  A spectacular performance from Adrian Sutil in today's Monaco Grand Prix so...

ING Renault F1 Team : Verpasste Gelegenheiten25.05.08
Der Große Preis von Monaco endete für das ING Renault F1 Team enttäuschend: Fernando Alonso wurde Zehnter, Nelson Piquet schied aus. Kurz vor dem Rennen, in dem sich fast alles ums Wetter drehen sollte, gingen über dem Fürstentum heftige...

Panasonic Toyota Racing F1 - Monaco race review25.05.08
Monaco Grand Prix - Race Round-UpSunday 25 May 2008Today's Weather: Early rain before track dried out, air 19-22°C, track 19-24°CConstructors' Championship Points: 9 (6th)Drivers' Championship Points: Jarno Trulli 9 (8th) Timo Glock (Car 12,...

AT&T Williams F1 - race review25.05.08
MONACO GRAND PRIX – RACE Challenging weather conditions produced the most dramatic race of the season in Monaco today as the damp streets of Monte Carlo claimed numerous victims in the 78 lap Grand Prix. Kazuki Nakajima drove a mature race in...

Red Bull Racing F1 - Monaco great race review25.05.08
WE WERE WHEELY WHEELY PLEASED WITH WEBBER'S WET AND WILD WEEKEND ON THE STWEETS OF THE PWINCIPALITY   Car 10, MARK WEBBER, (Finish Position 4th, Start Position: 9th) "That was good, a great result which gives us a lot of points. It wasn't...

Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 - New car - frist points - new hopes25.05.08
2008 MONACO GRAND PRIX - SUNDAY 25/05/08  Sebastian Vettel (STR3-03) Pos. 5th "The race today was extremely difficult, especially at the start when with all the water on the track surface there was a lot of aquaplaning. But we were very...

Race result 200825.05.08
FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2008   1 22 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 76 Winner 3 10 2 4 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 76 +3.0 secs 5 8 3 2 Felipe Massa Ferrari 76 +4.8 secs 1 6 4 10 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 76 +19.2 secs 9 5 5...

Fernando Alonso „Bin ziemlich optimistisch"25.05.08
Der zweifache Weltmeister in Diensten des ING Renault F1 Teams blickt zurück auf sein Qualifying heute in Monaco. Fernando, wie lief dein Tag? Fernando Alonso "Am Ende des freien Trainings heute Vormittag war ich sehr zufrieden mit dem...

Interview Alan Permane „Unser Ziel ist Platz sechs"24.05.08
Der Chefingenieur des ING Renault F1 Teams analysiert das Qualifying und die Möglichkeiten seiner Piloten in Monaco-Grand Prix. Alan, wie ist das Rennwochenende für euch bisher gelaufen? Alan Permane "Einigermaßen gut, aber wir sind im...

Red Bull Racing F1 - Monaco breaking news24.05.08
Car 10 MARK WEBBER, Position 9th "We had a clear run with no problems. I was locking up quite a lot, but there was no particular sector of the lap that was worse than the others - we'll just have to see how things go tomorrow. Seventy eight laps...

Gemischte Gefühle beim ING Renault F1 Team nach dem Qualifying 24.05.08
... zum Großen Preis von Monaco Fernando Alonso erreichte Startplatz 7, Nelson Piquet Rang 17. Fernando Alonso, Renault R28-02 Nelson Piquet, Renault R28-01 Q1 1.16,646 min, P13 1.16,933 min, P17 Q2 1.15,827 min, P9 – Q3 1.16,852 min, P7...

AT&T Williams F1 - Qualifying round-up24.05.08
MONACO GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING SATURDAY 24 MAY, 2008 Nico Rosberg enjoyed a strong qualifying for his home Grand Prix today and will start tomorrow’s race from the third row on the grid in sixth place. During his debut qualifying session on...

Scudereria Toro Rosso F1: Seb & Seb & Seb & Seb24.05.08
2008 MONACO GRAND PRIX -  Vettel, Loeb, Bourdais, Buemi   Sébastien Bourdais (STR3-01) "On my first lap I got caught up with Massa and my second was definitely going to be better, but that would not have changed anything. I am...

Panasonic Toyota Racing F1 - Qualifying review24.05.08
Monaco Grand Prix - Qualifying Round-Up   Today's Weather: Dry with sunny periods, air 20-21°C, track 24-29°C Best 2008 grid position: 3rd, Jarno Trulli (Malaysia) Best 2008 race result: 4th, Jarno Trulli (Malaysia) Jarno Trulli (Car...

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 - Qualifying review24.05.08
Monte Carlo, Saturday 24th May 2008 Lewis Hamilton MP4-23 04 Heikki Kovalainen MP4-23 05  Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen will start Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix from the second row of the grid. In...

Force India Formula One Team Qualifying review24.05.08
2008 Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying and Final Free Practice Report Adrian Sutil (car 20, VJM01/02): FP3: 8th 1:17.883 (23 laps) Q1: 19th 1:17.225 (12 laps) Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21, VJM01/04): FP1: 19th 1:19.131 (10 laps) Q1: 20th...

Qualifying results from Monaco24.05.08
FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2008 1 2 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:15.190 1:15.110 1:15.787 20 2 1 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:15.717 1:15.404 1:15.815 19 3 22 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.582 1:15.322 1:15.839 20 4 23 Heikki Kovalainen...

ING Renault F1 - „Wir sind schnell auf Long-runs"24.05.08
GP Monaco, Donnerstag: Gemeinsames Interview mit Fernando Alonso und Nelson Piquet   Die beiden Fahrer des ING Renault F1 Teams über den ersten Trainingstag zum Grand Prix von Monaco.   Wie waren die Streckenverhältnisse...

Erfolgreicher Auftakt für ING Renault F1 in Monaco22.05.08
22. Mai 2008: GP Monaco Das ING Renault F1 Team startete heute erfolgreich in den Großen Preis von Monaco. Sowohl Fernando Alonso als auch Nelson Piquet konnten ihre umfangreichen technischen Programme in den freien Trainingssessions komplett...

Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 - Monaco practices review22.05.08
2008 MONACO GRAND PRIX - THURSDAY 22/05/08   Sébastien Bourdais (STR3-01) "This morning when I woke up, I thought, 'this is it, I'm finally going to drive Monaco in an F1 car!' It was a case of finding out about the new car which was...

Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes F1 - Monte Carlo free practice review22.05.08
2008 MONACO GRAND PRIX Monte Carlo, Thursday 22nd May 2008 Lewis Hamilton MP4-23 04 Heikki Kovalainen MP4-23 05  Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton emerged fastest overall from Thursday's two free practice sessions for the...

AT&T Williams F1 - Monaco Free Practice review22.05.08
MONACO GRAND PRIX - FREE PRACTICE THURSDAY 22 MAY, 2008 Under perfect Monegasque conditions, AT&T Williams closed free practice for the Monaco Grand Prix with both drivers inside the top ten today. On his home track, Nico Rosberg recorded...

[:: previous ][ next ::]



© 2001-2008 automobilsport.com

VIDEOS
SITEMAP
Advertising-Copyright
Partenaires
RACE CALENDARS
RIAL Racing News
Luxembourg Championship
Rallye de Luxembourg
24h races
A1GP
ADAC GT Masters
American Series
Alpen Pokal
ATS Formel 3 Cup
AvD 100 Meilen AvD Race weekend
Top 10
Belgian GT Championship
British Formula3
BTCS+VW FUN CUP
Clio Cup Belgium
DMV Tourenwagen Challenge
Drift Challenge
DTC Danish TouringCar
DTM-Series
Formula1
Formula1 Tests
Australia GP
Malaysia GP
Bahrain GP
Spain GP
Monaco GP
Canada GP
USA GP
France GP
German GP
British GP
European GP
Hungary GP
Turkey GP
Italy GP
Belgium GP
Japan GP
China GP
Brazil GP
FIA-GT
FIA WTCC
Formel ADAC Masters
Formel BMW EUROPA
Formula BMW
Formula Master
Formula Cup Mallorca-Europe
Formula Renault 2.0
Formula Renault 1.6
Formula RUS
FFSA
Funmotorsports
GP2 Series
GP Masters
GT Open
Hill Races
Historical Cars
Karting
KW Berg Cup
Le Mans Series
Lumina Middle-East Championship
MINI Challenge
Motosport
Oesterreich Motorsport
OFF ROAD
Oschersleben Motorsport Arena
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
PCC Kumho Trophy
Peugeot 207 THP Spider Cup
Racing Misc.
Rally international
Renault Megane Trophy
Speedcar Series
Sports Car Challenge
STT H&R Cup
Superleague Formula
Tractor Pulling
VLN
Worldseries Formula Renault 3.5
WRC Rallyes
Fiesta Sporting Trophy
Youngtimer Trophy
Nuerburgring
L.M.W.A.
Partners + VIDEO section
Termine
A R C H I V
Top News
Formel1 News
Karting news
Offroad-crosscountry
Racing
Gruene Links

Hauenstein Bergrennen PHOTOS copyright Thomas BUBEL on automobilsport.com

 NEWSLETTER ABO
Your email address:
subscribe
unsubscribe
 ADVERTS
Formula1 - European GP VALENCIA 2008  photos copyright on automobilsport.com

FIA GT BUCHAREST 2008  photos copyright SRO on automobilsport.com

GP2 SERIES  VALENCIA 2008  - photos copyright GP2 on automobilsport.com

Videos on automobilsport.com

HELP CAMILLA  thanks automobilsport.com
Impressum