Monaco GP: After Barcelona, BMW is on the right track

The BMW-Sauber team is slowly but surely getting back on its feet. After introducing a new aerodynamic package in Spain 10 days ago, they intend to capitalize on it for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. The team based in Hinwil has reasons to be optimistic, as Nick Heidfeld brought back two points from Barcelona.

Robert Kubica still hasn’t scored any points in the championship, but he and his teammate are arriving at a Monaco track they love (like many drivers). Therefore, they’ll need to give their best on Sunday before heading to Turkey in two weeks where a new aerodynamic package will come into play.

Robert Kubica – Racing Driver

« I am a big fan of street circuits, so I am looking forward to the Monaco race. I feel something very positive at the start of this weekend where you have to drive between the barriers and walls. There is no margin for error, which makes things particularly interesting. Of course, you can’t know in advance how the 2009 cars will react with the new aerodynamic points and slick tires. »

Nick Heidfeld – Racing Driver

« Monaco is one of the highlights of the season. It’s the place where Formula 1 is most popular. The narrow and winding streets of the circuit are brilliant. Only Macau is comparable, but we don’t race Formula 1 on that track. »

« There is a little less media hype these days, but the weekend in Monte-Carlo still remains something special. There are many famous people, the port is filled with yachts, the sound of F1 engines echoes throughout the principality, and the track is blocked by the crowd in the evening. »

« Since the beginning of the season, the large front wings have proven to be a bit tricky at the start. The first corner in Monte Carlo is extremely tight, there will be a great risk of collision. »

Mario Theissen – BMW Motorsport Director:

We are currently experiencing an extremely demanding period in F1, both on the track and behind the scenes. In both cases, it is important to keep a cool head. We lined up at the Spanish Grand Prix with a new aerodynamic package. This is the result of hard work and represents the first step in a long journey. We scored two points in Barcelona, which is extremely positive after Bahrain, but it is clear that our goals are different. We are going to accelerate our development pace. Monaco presents very specific challenges, as we all know, and the next package for Istanbul is already in preparation.

« Monaco is one of the ‘pillar’ circuits in Formula 1, alongside Nurburgring, Spa, Monza, and Silverstone. Only urban circuits like the one in the principality can provide spectators with such an important dose of action. It is the most famous and prestigious Grand Prix of the year. »

« In terms of sports, the important things in Monaco are engine precision and reliability, and grip with good low-rev driving. Monaco is the slowest race on the calendar. The downforce levels are important. There are no long straights on this circuit, but it has many slow corners and the tires are subjected to exceptionally high loads under acceleration. Monaco is also an endurance test for the brakes. »