After the rural charm of the A1-Ring, the confined streets of Monte Carlo
are the next stop for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team in the 2003 FIA Formula One World
Championship. The most glamorous event on the Formula One calendar, however,
is also the most challenging for both the cars and the drivers. The narrow
track, the proximity of the crash barriers and the absence of run off areas
make Monaco a totally unforgiving circuit.
Running wide almost invariably means ending up in the crash barrier with damaged
bodywork, overtaking is virtually impossible. Strategies and traction will
therefore be paramount next weekend at the principality for the BMW WilliamsF1
Team who are dedicated in their efforts to regain position as a championship
challenger.
Ralf Schumacher:
The team have been working hard this week on set up and aero improvements at
Paul Ricard so hopefully we will have made some progress and closed the gap
to the front-runners. I think Monaco will really suit the FW25 because of its
shorter wheelbase and the Michelins should also run well here. The car’s aerodynamic
package willl play an important role – we know we can still improve in that
area but the team is making progress in the right direction so I am fairly
optimistic for a decent finish.
Juan Pablo Montoya:
Monaco is a track where if you don't start at the front, you can be more than
ten seconds behind the leader after just a few laps so we need to get a good
grid position in qualifying. With the new rules this season, it‘s going to
be more challenging than ever to do that so it’s going to be an interesting
session for both the teams and the spectators.
Finding the right balance for qualifying that will also work in the race is
going to be tough so choosing the right race strategy will be more important
than ever. To hook up a really good lap at Monaco you need a lot of weight
in the back of the car and for it to be really quick in the apex. We need to
get out there, see how quick we are and what kind of pace we can afford before
making any decision regarding our strategy. The car is continually developing
so I’m confident we can demonstrate that and come home with some points.
Sam Michael, WilliamsF1 Chief Operations Engineer:
After such an encouraging start to the race at Austria where Juan was looking
very strong for a win we had a water system problem, initiated many laps before
due to the double re-start. We have investigated the failure and conducted
some tests at Ricard to ensure we don’t have the problem again. We were also
looking strong with Ralf who unfortunately slid wide at Turn 1 on some oil
a couple of laps after his pit stop and damaged the front of his car, causing
a large imbalance for the last stint which caused him to go off the circuit.
However, he continued and bought home some valuable points for the team.
Even with these problems, it is encouraging to see that we are making progress
with the FW25 and achieving results. We returned to Paul Ricard this week with
Marc and Juan to continue our intensive testing programme. Both spent time
on tyre testing, aerodynamic work and set up for the forthcoming Grand Prix.
Monaco is a tight and twisty street circuit that rewards the best chassis and
the best drivers, a good reason for us to be pleased here last year with Montoya
securing pole position. The grip level of the circuit increases dramatically
over the course of the race weekend as a lot of rubber is laid down, therefore
set up wise the engineers are looking for maximum mechanical grip. Historically,
Monaco is a one stop race; it is virtually impossible to overtake on the narrow
streets so our main focus will be finding the best strategy to get both cars
in the points.
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen:
In Austria, we demonstrated that we can be right up there among the front runners.
On the A1-Ring we sustained our first technical failure of 2003, but that doesn’t
give us any cause to doubt the path we are going down. The loss of cooling
water wasn’t due to a fault in the engine. The BMW P83 is stronger than ever
and in peak health. Sheer engine power alone won’t win you anything in Monaco,
of course, but good engine driveability pays off in the tight curves. The Rascasse
hairpin by the harbour is the only one in the whole F1 season where engine
speed drops below 5000 rpm even in first gear. Any mechanic would be only too
happy to swap the glamorous ambience of Monte Carlo for better working conditions.
But for all its anachronism, it would be impossible to imagine Formula One
without Monaco. The whole world will be watching this Grand Prix, and I hope
we can deliver a good show.
Facts and Figures:
At 3.340 kilometres, Monte Carlo is the shortest GP circuit of all. Nowhere
are a greater number of laps covered (78), yet 260.520 kilometres amount to
the shortest race distance of the season.
For the 2003 Grand Prix the course has been shortened by 30 metres thanks to
a straightened-out approach to the Rascasse hairpin. In addition, the pit area
– there are no proper garages in the confined pit lane of Monaco – has been
extended.
2003 marks the 50th Monaco Grand Prix. The first took place in 1950 and was
won by Juan Manuel Fangio in an Alfa Romeo.
Last year saw the end of Ralf Schumacher’s run of bad luck in Monaco. For five
years he had failed to finish in the Mediterranean city-state. In 2002 he started
from fourth on the grid to take a third-placed finish. Montoya had gloried
in pole position (1:16.676 min), but retired from the race. In 2000 and 2001,
no car in the BMW WilliamsF1 Team crossed the finishing line.
WilliamsF1 won the Monaco GP in 1980 (Carlos Reutemann) and in 1983 (Keke Rosberg).
Scotsman David Coulthard won the 2002 Monaco GP with his McLaren-Mercedes.
Rubens Barrichello (BRA/Ferrari) set up a lap record of 1:18.023 min.
Monaco covers an area of 1.95 square kilometres and comprises the settlements
of La Condamine and Monte Carlo united into a single commune. In total, some
32,000 people live in this state, known as a gambler’s paradise and tax haven.
Only one fifth of the population are genuine Monegasques.
Based on the 1962 constitution, Monaco is a hereditary monarchy. The head of
state is Prince Rainier III. The Grimaldi family have reigned in Monaco since
1331.
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