Monday 18 May 2015

Sauber F1 Team Monaco Grand Prix Preview

(© Ben Johnston 2015)

The Sauber F1 Team head to the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend in search of points following a difficult race last time out in Spain where Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr ended the race in 12th (Nasr) and 14th (Ericsson).

The Hinwil based outfit are currently in fifth place in the Constructors championship on 19 points, three ahead of the Lotus F1 Team and eleven behind Infiniti Red Bull Racing.

The Ferrari powered outfit had a fantastic start to the season as both Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson scored points in the opening race of the season in Australia where Nasr finish in 5th place while Ericsson finished the race in eighth place.

In China Nasr finished the race in eighth place while Ericsson finished the race in 10th place. Speaking ahead of the iconic and prestigious race in Monte Carlo, Sauber F1 Team Engineering Director Giampaolo Dall’Ara commented saying

The race in the narrow streets of Monte Carlo divides opinion as some love it and some don't, yet everyone finds it fascinating and challenging. It is a real challenge for the drivers, who need to be handed a very precise, stable and smooth car. In order to be fast they’re forced to drive it millimeters away from the barriers. Overtaking is almost impossible, therefore, a good grid position significantly boosts the chances for the race. It is also a challenge for the engineers, who have to deal with issues they seldom encounter, and to the mechanics and support crew, who are forced to work in untypical conditions regarding logistics. It’s less of a challenge to the tyre supplier given that the tarmac is not abrasive, so Pirelli has allocated the appropriate soft and supersoft compounds. The closeness of the fans and the atmosphere around the harbour make it a highlight of the season.

Ahead of the race this weekend, Marcus Ericsson commented saying:

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the highlights of the season. This street track is a kind of unique place, as it is quite different to other circuits on our calendar. If you are feeling confident in the car you can extract the most out of your skills and the car’s performance. It will be crucial, especially for the race, to find a good rhythm from corner to corner and from lap to lap. In previous racing series I have had some strong races in Monaco, so I am looking forward to a positive weekend.

Felipe Nasr commented saying:

Monaco is one of the nicest tracks on the calendar, and at the same time the Grand Prix is a very traditional one. It is a track that is very demanding in all areas. From the driver’s side, you need to feel confident in the car to push it to the limit. There are a few things which are important for a good lap time: Good braking stability, traction, as well a generally stable car. Over the days we also need to keep an eye on the grip evolution. All in all I am looking forward to racing in Monaco surrounded by a great atmosphere.

© Ben Johnston 2015

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