Monaco GP: Brawn aims for a 5th victory to knock out the competition

Many will say that if Brawn GP were to win the Monaco Grand Prix, then nothing could stop them from clinching both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles. Why? Simply because the race in the Principality is an urban one with very slow corners. If Brawn wins, they will have demonstrated their invincibility on all types of circuits.

If Brawn with its drivers Button and Barrichello don’t win, then it has enough of a lead to keep its competitors at bay. Find out in Sunday’s race.

Jenson Button – Racing Driver

« The Monaco Grand Prix is always a very special race, and as a resident of the principality, it will be my first home race of the season before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone next month. Arriving in Monaco leading the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships is fantastic, but we saw in Barcelona that the front-running cars are very close. »

« There will be a lot of cars competing over the weekend. My driving style is very good, but I’ll need to change a bit to get the best out of the single-seater. You have to be aggressive in Monaco and not let the barriers intimidate you. Every time you go on the track, it’s a non-stop challenge that forces you to stay focused. »

I think we are going to witness a very exciting qualifying session, as the grid position is so important in Monaco. It is almost impossible to overtake once the race starts, and it’s also crucial to have a good start.

Rubens Barrichello – Race car driver:

« Driving a Formula 1 car in Monaco is a fantastic challenge. This will be my 17th Monaco Grand Prix, but the weekend as a whole hasn’t lost any of its allure and remains one of my favorites on the calendar. Qualifying will be the most important of the year because it’s very important to get things right and give yourself the best chances in the race. The unique character of Monaco presents a number of technical challenges. The streets are narrow and winding. »

« We will run with the maximum downforce on the car. Good mechanical grip is essential. And then, of course, there are the barriers that line most of the streets in Monte Carlo for the weekend. You really get the feeling of speed in the car when the barriers are so close, but Monaco is actually the slowest circuit we have on the calendar. »

Ross Brawn – Team Principal:

Monaco is a unique and unpredictable place. The pitlane and paddocks have an intense working environment due to the geographical location in the heart of the city. It is therefore more stressful than any other race on the calendar. One mistake in Monaco and your weekend will be compromised. However, we love these challenges and that’s what makes Monaco such a special Grand Prix.

« Our car performs very well at low speed, in the corners, and we have a fantastic Mercedes-Benz engine, which has a lot of power. The BGP 001 is very good mechanically speaking. Our drivers are both precise and consistent. We will give them as much testing time as possible. The goal in Monaco is always to secure the pole or the front row. Neither Jenson nor Rubens have won the Monaco Grand Prix, even though both have made podium finishes, I am sure they will be determined to do their best this weekend. »