16/05/2005
NEWS STORY
The Whitsun weekend is almost over, and now Michael is preparing for the prestigious race at Monte Carlo. As usual, the weekend of racing begins on Wednesday, because there is no practice on Friday - this is the only time the Formula One runs to this schedule. So therefore, Michael will be arriving at the principality tomorrow (Tuesday) in the late afternoon.
Due to the events at the Barcelona race, the world champion will have to take to the track as one of the first drivers during qualifying, a disadvantage that is made even worse by the road surface - it is a well known fact that the race at Monaco takes place on regular street pavement. So the circumstances are less than perfect, but Michael remains calm. "The rules call for that," he said. "And we will naturally try to make the best of it. We may be going through something of a weak phase right now, but that's the way it is in sports: there are always ups and downs. We were doing extremely well for an unusually long period of time, and now we're having to struggle a little bit. But we know what the reasons for that are, and that's the most important thing. We'll have to see how we can work our way back to the top now. The good thing is that none of us are giving up, everyone is continuing to do their work. Small steps also show their effect and we've already made some good progress - even if it may look different from the outside."
Monaco is a special race, because it is beyond compare. Michael likes this circuit. "I have so many fond memories, I always enjoy coming here. It's just a lot of fun to wind your way through the streets here. Even though it will be difficult for us this time, because the position on the starting grid at Monaco is somewhat decisive for the outcome of the race: but that does not diminish my excitement. We are looking forward to taking on this challenge. Giving up is not an option, but giving up before you try is completely out of the question. Like I said: this is sports, and in sports anything is possible."
The traditional kick-off to the Grand Prix of Monte Carlo is the soccer match Nazionale Piloti versus the star studded team of Prince Albert. The game will get underway at 19:00 GMT at the Stadion Louis II in Monaco, and apart from Michael, there will be many other current and former Formula One drivers taking part.