Monaco GP: Preview - Marussia

21/05/2012

Every race in the Championship is critical, but the Monaco Grand Prix is the one that has the X-Factor. It is without doubt the most celebrated and prestigious race on the calendar and the race every driver longs to win. Several street circuits have hosted Grands Prix since, but Monaco remains the original and the best. This year, round six of the FIA Formula One World Championship also represents the 70th year of racing on the tight and twisting streets of Monte Carlo, so the event is likely to have even more glitz and glamour attached to it than usual.

Timo Glock: "Monaco is every time a very special weekend. It's the first real street circuit and always a big event; a big show. It is also a possibility for smaller teams as there are so many different factors which can come into play and situations which are out of your control more than any other circuit. If we have a trouble-free lead up to the weekend, then things can go well on race day with what are normally quite a few opportunities presenting themselves. For my side I hope we will show that we have got on top of the car balance issues which have affected my car in the last two races. I love Monaco so it will be fantastic to have a good car and really attack the race weekend. I can't wait to arrive there and get going."

Charles Pic: "Monaco is special and one of the races I've been most looking forward to in my debut season. Nothing can prepare you for a challenge like this - despite my GP2 experience here - and I can't wait to taste it for myself when running gets underway on Thursday. The track is very unforgiving, so I hope to come away from the weekend feeling like I did a good job there. The last race came to a disappointing end for me and we need to get back to the good reliability we were enjoying, as this is one of our great strengths and will be key to maintaining our 10th place in the Constructors' Championship. It looks like a busy weekend off-track also, but I intend to enjoy every moment of the experience."

John Booth, Team Principal: "I think everyone is excited to see what surprises the Monaco Grand Prix will bring this weekend. We've had a bit of everything in the first five races, including five different winners, and Monaco always throws up something different. It is turning into quite a season for the fans and long may this continue. This race is all about the drivers because it is such a uniquely demanding track that calls for absolute precision and commitment. As such, it is down to us to give Timo and Charles a car they can be absolutely confident with and, whilst Charles has had a relatively trouble-free time with his car balance thus far, Timo's car has been a little more troublesome in recent races. We hope we will find that we have conquered those issues when running gets underway on Thursday so they can both enjoy what is always an incredible experience for the drivers. Having said that, it is also a very enjoyable experience for the team and our partners, and we have many of those accompanying us this year. It will be great to share the occasion with them. The weather could be quite interesting; the early part of the week certainly presents rather less pleasant weather than one expects for the south of France, nor are improved conditions guaranteed for the balance of the weekend. It promises to be a very interesting race all round."