19/05/2007
NEWS STORY
The Honda Racing F1 Team heads to Monte Carlo next week for the highlight of the F1 calendar - the Monaco Grand Prix. Loved by fans, teams and drivers alike, Monaco offers a unique atmosphere, a challenging street circuit and one of the most exciting races of the year.
Shuhei Nakamoto - Senior Technical Director: "At the Paul Ricard test, we evaluated the latest aerodynamic components for the next three races, particularly Monaco and Canada. For the street circuit around Monaco, downforce is essential so we will be running a high downforce set-up on the car. We have acquired a lot of useful data from the test and will use this for the continual development of the RA107. We expect to improve our performance in gradual steps over the next few races."
Rubens Barrichello: "Like most drivers, Monaco is one of my favourite races and I have some fantastic memories as I have finished on the podium four times there. Monaco is unique in many ways and it certainly has a special place in F1 history. 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 so you have to qualify well and get a good grid position. Strategy is also crucial in Monaco as the pit-stops can help you gain track position."
Jenson Button: Monaco resident Jenson on what makes Monaco so special and what you need to have a good race around the street circuit.
"Monaco is the most famous race of all, where all the glitz and glamour of Formula One is on display, and there is no question that it is a very special place over the race weekend. It's a very different race from any other on the calendar with so much history and it means even more to me as I live in Monaco, so it is one of my home races. Yet ironically the qualities which make it so appealing also make it a frustrating weekend for the teams and drivers. It's unbelievably busy and getting around can be just impossible! When I'm not in the paddock, I'll be getting out of the Principality and up into the hills behind the action to relax and give myself some space.
"The circuit itself is very tight and twisty and you can really feel the speed of the car when the barriers are so close to you. The whole lap is one non-stop challenge and you just have to get your head down and keep focused. You have to keep the car out of the barriers but not worry too much about getting a few scrapes during the race. The absolute key to a really quick lap is being uninhibited and not letting the barriers intimidate you. This is a circuit that rewards precision like no other.
"Qualifying is crucial for getting the best grid position possible and then you have to make a good start in the race and do your overtaking there otherwise passing is almost impossible. You also need the right pit-stop strategy which can make all the difference to the outcome of your race. Good mechanical grip from the car is a fundamental requirement, coupled with as much downforce as possible."
"And finally it's a fantastic race for the fans and one of the only opportunities for them to get so close to the action and the noise of F1."