Q: It’s often said that Monaco presents drivers with the ultimate test. Is that a fair description? Is it a daunting prospect for a racer?
A: It’s a real ‘confidence’ circuit. You need to be in tune with it. You need to find yourself, find the flow, you need to find the right approach mentally and with the car and then you just have to make it happen.
In the beginning it’s a big test. To go out and find that confidence is not easy and you always question yourself, asking ‘when is it going to happen, when am I going to feel it enough to really go for it’. But at some point in the weekend it just happens, you find the rhythm and the lap time comes. When it works like that, when you get yourself in the right place and you find a good understanding with the track, it’s great.
Q: It’s a circuit you’ve only ever raced in Formula One. Are you still discovering new things about it?
A: Yes, definitely. I did pretty well in qualifying last year (9th) but I only did a handful of laps in the race because I had a problem with the car, so I would yes. I’m not sure there’s a special secret about it and there’s no one area that holds the key. It’s just a really massive lap, the whole thing seems to go by in one breath. It’s just as well it’s a short lap!
Q: What about the sense of history in Monaco and the crazy atmosphere on the streets? Do you find yourself getting caught up in those things or do they get in the way?
A: In terms of the atmosphere and so on, I’ll be perfectly honest and say that, for me, it’s not the best. It’s really confined and there’s not much chance to get some space for yourself. It is totally unique and it is an amazing place but for me the trick is to try to remove myself from that and focus on what we’re there to do.
