Zoom The Brawn drivers are eager to take on the streets of Monte Carlo

Arriving in Monaco for the season's most prestigious race, the Mercedes-powered Brawn team is still basking in the one-two Barcelona victory delivered by Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello two weekends ago.

Considering the lead they hold in the drivers' and constructors' championships, one might suspect there is a high level of confidence within the team; yet the unique racing conditions encountered on the streets of Monte Carlo - where barriers always seem only a few centimetres away – are enough to remind everyone that the legendary circuit demands respect.

"My usual driving style is very smooth but I will have to change that a little bit to get the best out of the car here," Button says. "You have to be aggressive around Monaco and not let the barriers intimidate you whilst obviously paying them due respect."

"Every time you take to the track, it's a non-stop challenge which requires you to maintain absolute focus, concentration and precision," the Briton adds.

Having raced at Monaco on many occasions, Barrichello is perfectly aware that this weekend's venue is one of the hardest of the season.

"Driving a Formula One car around Monaco is a fantastic challenge," the Brazilian states. "This will be my 17th Monaco Grand Prix but the weekend has lost none of its appeal and is always one of my favourite races on the calendar. Experience counts around Monaco and it's going to be a fascinating weekend with the competition so close at the front of the field."

"The unique nature of Monaco presents a number of technical challenges. The streets are tight and twisty although not as bumpy as you might expect following resurfacing work in recent years," Barrichello elaborates. "And then of course there are the barriers which line the majority of the Monte Carlo streets."

But getting through the race is only part of the equation: more so than at any other circuit, grid position is of utmost importance when it comes to winning a race upon the legendary venue's narrow streets and numerous corners.

"I think we will see a very exciting qualifying session on Saturday as grid position is so significant in Monaco," confirms Button. "It's almost impossible to overtake once the race is under way so being at the front and getting a good start will be important for a successful weekend."

"Qualifying is one of the biggest challenges of the year here," adds Barrichello. "It is so important to get it right to give yourself the best chance in the race. "

"Your aim in Monaco is always to secure pole or as close to the front row as possible in qualifying and take it from there," chimes in Team Principal Ross Brawn.

"Monaco is a unique and unpredictable venue and you have to take a very controlled approach to the race weekend," Brawn continues. "The pitlane and paddock is an intense environment to work in due to the location at the heart of the city and it is therefore more stressful than any other race on the calendar."

"You can make just one mistake in Monaco and your race weekend will be compromised," Brawn insists. "However we love that level of extra challenge and it is what makes Formula One and Monaco so special."

Although it is acknowledged that the stress levels will be higher for the human elements of the team - both in the pitlane and on the track - there is confidence within the Brawn team that both BGP 001s will feel at ease on the tight and twisty avenues of the Principality.

"Our car works very well with low-speed corners and we have a fantastic engine from Mercedes-Benz which has a lot of power and excellent drivability which is important," Brawn explains. "The BGP 001 car is very good mechanically, which you need to take advantage of the slow speed nature of the track."

"Neither Jenson or Rubens has won the Monaco Grand Prix, although both have stood on the podium, so I'm sure they will be determined to make the most of the weekend," the team chief predicts.

Button's four victories out of five races so far this season see him holding a good lead in the drivers' championship, and Barrichello's performances have contributed to giving the Brawn team a good margin in the constructors' standings.

However, Button remains wary of the development work and the ensuing pace that the rival teams displayed during the previous race in Spain.

"To go to Monaco with the lead in both the drivers' and constructors' championships is fantastic but we saw in Barcelona that the performance margins at the front are extremely close," he underlines.

"There will be a lot of competitive cars fighting it out this weekend."

Daniel BASTIEN
© CAPSIS International