FOREWORD the Grand Prix De Monaco Has a Special Place in the Hearts of Formula 1 Fans in General and Has Particular Resonance for Renault
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#06 RACE PREVIEW MONACO Monte Carlo // 25/27/28 May 2017 Content // Cyril Abiteboul // Rémi Taffin // Nico Hülkenberg // Jolyon Palmer // Track Notes Cyril Abiteboul FOREWORD The Grand Prix de Monaco has a special place in the hearts of Formula 1 fans in general and has particular resonance for Renault. Cyril Abiteboul Renault Sport Racing Managing Director Since 2009, the event has been the nearest we have Monaco presents our engineers and drivers with a In the GP3 Series, Renault Sport Academy member had to a French Grand Prix, and even before that unique challenge and it provides a fabulous showcase Jack Aitken started from pole in Barcelona, however we have always had a special relationship with the for Formula 1 to the world. his good work was undone with a technical issue. Principality. Our Development Driver, Oliver Rowland, took two This time of year is exceptionally busy for Renault podiums, whilst our Test Driver, Nicholas Latifi, was As a constructor, Renault has won twice in Monaco, Sport Racing. Just after the disappointment of our unfortunate to lose out on taking his first Formula 2 with Jarno Trulli in 2004 and in 2006 with Fernando qualifying in Barcelona, we had cause to celebrate victory. Three days later, he had his first taste behind Alonso. As an engine supplier, we have tasted the top Sébastien Buemi’s victory with Renault e.dams in the wheel of the R.S.17 in Barcelona for the Pirelli test. step a further four times. Our expectation is not to add the Monaco ePrix. In Silverstone, three of our Renault to this statistic in 2017, but we are making progress Sport Academy drivers were in action last weekend, In Monaco we will start our celebrations of the forty and we are ambitious for this new challenge. and they will be racing again this weekend in Pau. year anniversary of Renault first entering Formula 1. They have a triple-header, as they will also join us on We hope we can harness the force of our forty year Barcelona was a complicated weekend for us. However, track in Monaco. history for a strong result this weekend. we achieved Renault Sport Formula One Team’s best- ever finish and the points scored meant we moved up a position in the Constructors’ Championship. We were somewhat disappointed on Saturday with our qualifying positions, but we were able to make amends on Sunday with a better race pace. ” Since 2009, the event has been the nearest we have had to a French Grand Prix, and even before that we have always had a special relationship with the Principality. ” rÉmi taffin Different Strokes After a successful points finish in Spain, the R.S.17 will get a taste of the most famous circuit on the Formula 1 calendar – the Circuit de Monaco. Engine Technical Director Rémi Taffin shares his thoughts on the twisting, street Rémi Taffin Renault Sport Formula One Team circuit and what challenges the bumps and dips bring. Engine Technical Director Q&A What are the challenges in all the issues stemming from the to get more from the power unit was not ready for race conditions. Monaco? bumps and the latest generation in qualifying mode. We are not The potential advantage it offers For Monaco you need consistency, of engine revs lower and has a subject to the same constraints as relates to its weight rather than so the job of the power unit is different torque curve so these before with tokens, so we can push direct PU performance benefits. to give the driver a consistent areas are not as critical as before. and develop in a different way than This new generation of MGUK power delivery without too many for the past three seasons. We are will be deployed when adequate energy recovery strategies over Ultimately, Monaco is about continuing with our roadmap of with our power unit plan. In terms the course of a very busy and confidence. When a driver is adding performance, balanced to of performance improvement we frenetic lap. Fortunately, Monaco confident it can make a big the requirements of reliability. are looking at every area, so the is unique in the way it is driven difference. So we do everything potential weight advantage of a and some of the areas you need to we can do from a power unit When will we see the new new specification MGU-K is just pay attention to for a more normal perspective to assist with the generation MGU-K? one factor in a bigger equation. track are not so relevant. As a driver’s confidence. We ran with a new generation driver doesn’t use full throttle as MGU-K in pre-season testing and much as at other tracks, they can How would you sum up the this showed us that the concept recover energy quite easily. season so far? We knew it would be a challenging Historically, we would say that start to the year – testing Monaco was hard on the engine illustrated this – but five Grands because of the bumps and the Prix in we have finished all the ” Ultimately, Monaco is about driver maintaining high revs with races without experiencing any confidence. When a driver is confident the engine. We have addressed problems. In Spain we were able it can make a big difference. ” NICO HÜLKENBERG NICO HÜLKENBERG NICO HULKENBURG No Place Like Home A sixth place finish in Spain gave the team its best-ever finish, so a return to familiar surroundings gives Monaco resident Nico Hülkenberg added confidence to add to his points tally. Nico Hülkenberg / Race Driver #27 Q&A What makes Monaco so special? Overtaking is hard but it is a Is patience the key to success on There is no track like Monaco, it’s thrilling race and a huge challenge, a street circuit like Monaco? ” Overtaking is hard but it is the highlight of the year. It’s unique I really love racing at Monaco. You have to build it up step by a thrilling race and a huge and special in every aspect and step, session by session. The last I massively look forward to it. It Are you confident going into the thing you want to do is touch challenge, I really love racing is probably the most glamorous weekend? a wall as that will take all your at Monaco. ” Grand Prix on the calendar and The track should suit us, especially confidence away. In qualifying you there is no place like it to give you with the Supersoft and Ultrasoft peak and take more risks and get a buzz and a sensation of speed. tyres. I am looking forward to race closer to the barriers and really day and obviously I’m aiming for a get on the limits. But it is a street What challenges does Monaco good result. Last year I performed circuit, we know what they entail bring? there quite well and with the new and you have to be sensible and Physically it is not the most cars it will feel even quicker. You totally focused on the task. demanding track, but you have need a good rhythm and a good to really concentrate and be very harmony with yourself and the car What are the notable elements precise. It is low speed, not a high and feel comfortable. Lap times of racing in your back yard? G-force track, but very full-on which can be tricky to find, but in recent I scooter and bike around the track, makes focus vital. An error puts years I have done well, so hopefully sometimes through the tunnel! It you in the wall and ends your race. we can have another strong is kind of weird to go home every As a driver it is about confidence. performance. night between sessions, but it is a nice change-up to the normal routine. jolyon palmer jolyon palmer jolyon palmer Pushing the limits Jolyon Palmer is aiming to do the business in Monaco. Q&A Jolyon Palmer / Race Driver #30 How exciting is Monaco? Have you ever hit a perfect lap in Monaco? Do you ever find time to take in the atmosphere? It is really fun, there is nothing quite like it. It is a unique I’ve got pretty close and it feels very good. It is probably There are a lot of yachts and parties going on. I do get to event with all the glitz and glamour, all the yachts, all the the best feeling you get in racing. It is about commitment scooter around when I head in or leave in the afternoon, rich and famous. It all adds to make a really fun place and and chucking the car in and hoping it comes out the which is fun and quite refreshing. It is great seeing the a great event to be involved in. It is a special weekend and corner. When you do that for 19 corners, it is pretty fans, but obviously I go quick on the scooter and get my one I always love. Monaco is a cool place and so different special. I remember setting my GP2 pole position lap in knee down. Nobody is stopping me! behind the wheel where you have adrenaline pumping 2014 knowing that nobody would beat it. * Disclaimer, Jolyon doesn’t actually get his knee down from the first lap. How do you prepare for this unique Grand Prix? when riding a scooter around Monaco. Talk us through a lap of the Circuit de Monaco… You need to build up to it steadily.