Mercedes GP-2010 Monaco Grand Prix Preview

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the highlights of the Formula One calendar and the sixth round of the 2010 World Championship takes place around the famous street circuit on Sunday 16 May.

PREVIEW

Mercedes-Benz engines have powered seven of the last 12 winning cars around the Monte Carlo streets, including the victors of the last three races.

Mercedes-Benz Stats (including customer teams)

Monaco
Total (since 1954)
GP Starts 16
288
Wins 7 (1998/2000/02/05/07/08/09)
79
Podiums 13
221
Points Scoring Positions 20
393
GP Points 125
2219
Fastest Laps 6
84
Pole Positions 7
80

Circuit de Monaco Stats

Circuit Length: 3.340 km
Race Distance: 260.520 km
Number of Laps: 78

Full Throttle: 52%
Brake Wear: Medium / Hard
Tyre Compounds: Super Soft / Medium
Downforce Level: High 10/10
Tyre Usage: Low
Average Speed: 160kph (100mph)

NICO ROSBERG
“The Monaco Grand Prix is my home race and it’s always an enjoyable weekend. Formula One brings a real atmosphere to my home town and it’s very special to have all of my family and friends there to support me over the weekend. Living so close to the track is helpful too! After a rewarding first four races, Barcelona was disappointing, so we will hope to see an improvement for Monaco and we will work hard to understand our issues from last weekend. Monaco is a completely different circuit with its own unique challenges and characteristics so it will be interesting to see how the car goes there. I had a good race last year, qualifying and finishing in sixth place, so it would be nice to go a few places better this time.”

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
“I have always liked to drive in Monaco and that’s why I am really looking forward to competing there this weekend. The Monaco Grand Prix certainly adds something very special to the Formula One calendar and driving through the streets of Monte Carlo is undoubtedly unique. We go there and hope that the characteristics of the street circuit suit our car better than in Spain last weekend. On the other hand, we should be careful to expect too much this time as we have seen in Barcelona that there is still a lot of work ahead of us. So, other than having achieved my best result so far this season, I have taken with me a lot of motivation to work even harder with our engineers to improve the car further.”

ROSS BRAWN
“The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most challenging race weekends of the year but everyone revels in the special atmosphere and as engineers, we love the unique demands and the extra pressure that the street circuit generates. In addition to a car which is strong mechanically, you need good power and drivability, provided by our Mercedes-Benz engine, for the low-speed corners. Monaco requires a particular set-up and therefore whilst we will run our new aero package but we will revert to our previous specification suspension system to allow for the steering lock required around this unique circuit. The drivers play their role at Monaco perhaps more so than at any other track. Precision, consistency, speed and control are essential and with Michael and Nico, we are fortunate to have two drivers who excel here. Together with Mercedes-Benz, we achieved the dream result of a one-two finish last year, and whilst we are not at the pace of the frontrunners at the moment, at Monaco you just never know what can happen.”

NORBERT HAUG
“The Grand Prix of Monaco is the most spectacular, most popular and most glamorous event on the race calendar. If teams and drivers could choose one race that they desperately want to win, then their choice would be Monaco. Mercedes-Benz has mostly found the unique street circuit in the Principality to be a place for great results. Starting with our first
victory in 1998, we have won seven of the last 12 Grands Prix together with our partners, the last three being a hat-trick in 2007, 2008 and 2009. With our new team, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS, we currently do not belong in the absolute favourites for race victories. However the Monaco Grand Prix is known for its own rules and we will work fully concentrated on achieving a good result. With Michael and Nico, we have two drivers who both like this circuit and in my view, both belong among the fastest drivers on this special and demanding circuit.”

© RIF | Mercedes GP