25/05/2008
NEWS STORY
Challenging weather conditions produced the most dramatic race of the season in Monaco today as the damp streets of Monte Carlo claimed numerous victims in the 78 lap Grand Prix. Kazuki Nakajima drove a mature race in difficult circumstances to collect two points for seventh place. Nico Rosberg, meanwhile, endured a disappointing end to his Grand Prix. Despite fighting his way back through the field following two collisions in the opening stages, a third eventually put an end to his efforts 18 laps before the chequered flag. As a precaution, Nico was taken to hospital for routine checks.
Kazuki Nakajima: It was really a difficult race, especially at the beginning when the track was very wet. I couldn’t see anything in front of me, or at the rear, so I just tried to keep the car on track. I think we had some luck with the weather and the track conditions as I was on a onestop strategy and it really worked well for me. It was a shame to have a problem in my pit-stop, but I still finished in the points so I am quite happy.
Sam Michael, Technical Director: It was good to get two points, but not a satisfactory race as we should have scored much more, but there are probably plenty of teams saying that today! Kazuki drove well and didn't make any mistakes. He would have finished higher up the order, but we had a problem with a wheel nut on his final pit-stop and he lost places as a result. It was a good effort for his first time around Monaco in a Formula One car. Nico made a couple of pit-stops for damaged front wings, and then had a crash on the entry to the swimming pool. He has been very fast around here all weekend so he will be really frustrated to come away with nothing. He's currently undergoing medical checks. We’ll now look forward to a better result in Canada.