#06

RACE PREVIEW MONACO Monte Carlo // 25/27/28 May 2017

Content // // Rémi Taffin // Nico Hülkenberg // // 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 . Cyril Abiteboul 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 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, , 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 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. 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 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 . 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. It is a normal road It is difficult to catch your breath as it is 75 seconds of so the track changes as it evolves. You build up your chaos! From the moment you hit the brakes at Sainte confidence which is important to do piece by piece. This Devote and up the hill, it is one corner after another, year will be tough with the new cars. It is pretty much a super quick and very bumpy. There are walls on the two-hour race, even qualifying will be hard. You have no outside, you literally brush them and get as close as you chance to gather your thoughts or take a breath on the can. It is pinpoint accuracy required and commitment for lap. Mentally it is the hardest race of the year. all of it, that is the challenge.

” It is difficult to catch your breath as it is 75 seconds of chaos! ” NICO HÜLKENBERG

renault sport round up round up Racing Around Busy times for those in the Renault Sport Academy with races run in Silverstone and Barcelona, as well as races ahead in Pau and Monaco.

GP3 pole pace but pain for Aitken

Pole position was a great way for Jack Aitken to start his GP3 Series campaign, however things didn’t go quite to plan for Jack in Barcelona thereafter. Off the line he dropped a position, and despite DRS not being available until a number of laps after it should have been, Jack relentlessly hounded the leader, right until five laps from the end when an inlet pressure sensor cried foul and his engine went into safety mode.

Jack’s race one DNF meant a race two start from the back, and he worked his way up to a credible P12. Despite not securing race points across the weekend, Jack is keen to take on the positives ahead of the trip to the in July.

“ We started the year in the best possible way with a strong pole position on Saturday morning which was a testament to the pace we have. I dropped to P2 at the start, getting some wheel spin and the DRS did not activate when we were close to the leader. I dropped back and then began attacking again later only for an engine fault to stop our race.

“ Starting from the back in Race 2 was always going to be difficult on one of the hardest circuits to overtake at, but we still managed to get to P12 and kept our nose clean. We at least know our pace is really strong and head to Red Bull Ring sure of a better weekend.”

Triple-header goes Pau

If there’s one thing racing drivers love, it’s going racing, but three race meetings in as many weeks makes for a busy period for Renault Sport Academy Europcupers, , and Sun Yue Yang. Last weekend saw the trio out in action at Silverstone, this weekend sees them in Pau, before they head to Monaco on the race bill of the Grand Prix weekend.

Jarno Opmeer Silverstone was a challenge for Jarno, with a P15 in race two the best to show from a weekend which had promised much.

“ I was quick in the practices both wet and dry, but in the qualifying session I was not confident in the half wet and half dry track and made several mistakes. In the first race my clutch slipped at the start and I was hit from behind and the car suffered heavy damage. For race two I was staging a good fightback from the back of the grid, but was hampered slightly by my engine cover coming loose meaning I lost a lot of top speed, so it was quite far from being the perfect weekend.

“ I’m looking forward to Pau. I’ve never raced on a street circuit before so it is going be really hard but also really fun. It’s a small street circuit, it has more of a street circuit feel even than Monaco due the smaller streets and more bumps. My target is always to win but I don't expect to make that happen this weekend, however I do hope to get my first points.”

Max Fewtrell A pair of P4 finishes in the Silverstone home round for Max saw him take the Top Rookie accolade as well as fourth in the championship.

“ I found a better rhythm around Silverstone than in the first round in Monza. I knew the track a bit better and I was feeling comfortable straight away, everyone can see I managed to make a big step forward, as I do not want to keep on just finishing in the points but I want to target podiums. I just missed out on this with P4 in both races, which shows the pace we had. We just need to keep the momentum going for the next rounds and I am looking forward to the street races.

“ Pau looks to be very, very different to what I've ever raced before, it’s so narrow and I can't wait to experience it. I have never raced on a street track before, so this a new experience for me; I’m super excited about it and I just want to get out there on the streets and go for it.

“ I haven't really set any targets for this weekend with it being my first time in Pau, especially as some of the other guys have been there before. It’s going to be a hard weekend, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Sun Yue Yang Sun has seen a challenging opening to his rookie season in the Eurocup where he has bagged two P16 finishes across the opening two rounds. It was a challenging weekend for Sun in Silverstone, with lessons learnt set to be put into practice in Pau.

“ Silverstone was a rough weekend for me and I take it as part of my learning curve. There was a lot of overtaking as well as being overtaken by the others. At this point in my rookie season it’s not all about position, it’s about gaining knowledge, like how to overtake better and get through the field quickly. I hope to put these lessons into action in Pau.

“ I did a simulator session of Pau and it’s very narrow, but it is a tactical and interesting track. For me the sector 1 and sector 3 of the track was just about slow in fast out so quite straight forward, however sector 2 was the difficult part of this track. I believe it will be a fantastic experience.

“ I haven't raced on a street course before and I imagine it will be a difficult and competitive race. My target is a clean race so I can learn a lot, especially as we head to another street course in Monaco the week after.

Lundgaard gets going in Sochi

Three weeks after Formula 1 was in action here, the SMP F4 NEZ Championship certified by FIA gets underway in Sochi with setting high targets for himself from the very first round.

“ My goal for the weekend is to be on the top step of the podium, but not just that, I want to learn as much as possible during the weekend! Of course it's so cool to drive on an F1 circuit, and I'm really looking forward to it. The start of the season is the most important and I hope to get as many points as possible and finish all races.”

Double podium for Rowland

Renault Sport Formula One Team Development Driver Oliver Rowland had a strong second round of the FIA Formula 2 Championship with a double podium in Barcelona. Despite slight disappointment with a P6 qualifying position, Oliver ran to a late stop strategy in Saturday’s Feature race, meaning he found himself in the lead of the race as those around him pitted sooner than him. Once he took his mandatory stop, Oliver was able to blast back up the order for a P3 finish. Sunday’s Sprint race saw Rowland go one better to take P2 after a late dice with DAMS team-mate, and Renault Sport Formula One Team Test Driver, Nicholas Latifi. Oliver left Barcelona in second position in the driver standings.

“ I started sixth in both races and had really good pace. Without the on Saturday I think we would have won. It was Nicholas’ race on Sunday, he did everything right but one little mistake cost him the victory. We scored good points for the championship, though and that’s important at this stage.”

Elusive win eludes Latifi

Renault Sport Test Driver Nicholas Latifi had a strong Formula 2 weekend in Barcelona and was unfortunate to miss out on a Sprint race win on Sunday morning. The Canadian driver moved up three places from ninth on the grid to seal an impressive P6 finish in the Feature race.

Sunday’s Sprint race looked to be set as Latifi’s first win, however the distraction of a mirror breaking off his car and bouncing off his helmet meant he out-braked himself into a subsequent corner and the lead was lost. After a battle with team-mate Oliver Rowland, Nicholas took third in the race.

Post race, Nicholas stayed in Barcelona to get his first outing in the Renault Sport Formula One Team R.S.17 as part of his Test Driver role.

“ It was a great experience to get the opportunity to drive the R.S.17 and the day went really well. The latest generation Formula 1 car is something really special. You can really feel the downforce and extra grip that the new regulations provide with the wider Pirelli tyres, which makes it all the more enjoyable to push the car hard through the corners. We did plenty of mileage with 139 laps and I can’t wait for another opportunity to jump back in. Now my focus will switch to preparation with my F2 team for our upcoming race at Monaco!”

Renault e.dams Double Duty

Just after Formula 1 qualifying had taken place in Barcelona, Renault e.dams proved victorious on the streets of Monaco with Sébastien Buemi taking his fourth win of season three of the FIA championship. There wasn’t too much time for celebrations however, as for the first time in Formula E history, a back-to-back event sees Renault e.dams in action this weekend in the Paris ePrix.

“ When you start from the back of the grid in Monaco, you don’t expect much. But the car felt really good and the job of the team was incredible. The Paris ePrix is a special one for us. The circuit is very challenging with unusual corners and I look forward to racing there once more. I arrive in Paris with all the motivation I need to get on the podium.”

Nico Prost

“ After our success in Monaco, I arrive in Paris even more motivated than ever to score another podium. It’s a special weekend for us with the team and I will do my best to continue our top form.”

Séb Buemi track notes

track notes MONTE CARLO ‘Like trying to ride a bicycle around your living room,’ a quote attributed to , who probably never tried navigating his Brompton around his coffee table and pouf, as driving the Armco-lined rollercoaster ride that is Monaco is a daunting challenge rewarding confidence and precision, but penalising the slightest mistake or lapse of concentration.

The shortest lap on the Formula 1 calendar at 3.337km, Monaco features nineteen turns, with all the bumps, camber and drain covers you’d expect of a road used as a public highway.

track STATS

T 14:00 3 126 2.2 2 80 1.9 race START 7 298 1.0 SECTOR 1 T 7 290 1.0 T 260.286 T race distance (KM) T T T T T T T 3.337 T T circuit length (KM) T DRS T 5 148 2.7 3 125 1.8 78 SECTOR 2 T number of laps T 1 52 1.6 T

SECTOR 3 1:17.939s Lap Record (, 2016) T

T01 T14 FUEL EFFECT

The narrow first corner has very little run-off and has been the This section is entered very quickly and is a ‘flick-flack’ where scene of many incidents over the years. Drivers need to keep kerbs can be used and a few thousandths of a second can be their wits about them to avoid any meeting with the infamous made. wall on the outside, especially as the bumps on braking make it easy to lock the fronts. T17 0.27 0.27SEC/10KG La Rascasse (named after the restaurant there) – is the second 0.27SEC/10KG T04 SEC/10KG slowest part of the circuit, with the cars running very close to The bumpy track between turns four and five (Casino/Mirabeau) the inside wall. Braking and accuracy on line is critical; for good requires drivers to modify their line, from left to right to avoid traction up to Anthony Noghes and the completion of the lap. 21 average .33sec1kg 21 average .33sec1kg bottoming the car too much on the run down to Mirabeau. 21 average .33sec1kg T19 FUEL CONSUMPTION t09 Start/finish straight. With so few overtaking opportunities Taken flat out, the tunnel is the fastest part of the track. The around the lap, a good exit from the final corner – Anthony contrast of natural, artificial, and then natural light takes a split Noghes – is essential leading on to the start finish straight. second to get used to. Good trajectory for all-important braking There are high traction demands here and torque management in to the chicane is vital. will be key. 1.35 1.35kg/lap 1.35kg/lap t10 kg/lap

Exiting the tunnel into the chicane is the scene of many out- braking manoeuvres. This is a real opportunity to pressurise the 21 average 1.9kglap car ahead, but also a place where mistakes are often seen. 21 average 1.9kglap 21 average 1.9kglap

FULL THROTTLE

DOWNFORCE 61 %61 of lap %61 of lap % of lap

21 average .3 of lap 21 average .3 of lap 21 average .3 of lap

braking

22 %22 of lap %22 of lap % of lap

21 average 17.9 of lap BRAKE WEAR 21 average 17.9 of lap 21 average 17.9 of lap

POWER UNIT

• Monte Carlo has the lowest average race speed on the • Energy recovery is easy with the amount of braking points – calendar at just 150kph. Top speed peaks at only 290kph. the 19 corners are all taken at an average of less than 100kph • Less than 30secs – roughly one third of the lap – is spent and the MGU-K will have more than enough opportunity to at full throttle, which places an emphasis on the overall recharge the ES. package’s driveability rather than outright performance. • Since energy recovery under braking is relatively easy, • The tunnel section and pit straight are the only chances to Monaco is one of the few races of the year where fuel hit maximum speed. consumption won’t be critical, particularly as the overall race • Monaco is a very bumpy circuit with lots of camber change. distance is so short and there is so little time spent at full This can induce drops in oil pressure as the oil pumps aren’t throttle. able to properly scavenge the oil system, or the oil tank • Grand Hotel (or Loews) Hairpin. The track descends from the succumbs to an unexpected loading. A temporary lack of oil Mirabeau and turns almost 180° back on itself in front of the pressure can be harmful to the turbo as lubrication is vital hotel. When the cars round the hairpin the engine is running at the speeds at which the turbo operates. at just 45kph and around 4,500rpm, the lowest speed and revs it reaches on track at any point in the year.

tyres iN figures

It’s the season-opening allocation of the Soft, Supersoft and Ultrasoft for Monaco, a street course which cries out for the grippiest rubber available. Expect the tyre markings to get rubbed off the 2.02 sidewalls on occasion, but any harder a blow could see damage ensue. Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, covering just 2.02 km2 (1.24 sq. miles). HIGH 30 Around 30% of the population are a millionaire. 154 low Casino de Monte Carlo was opened 154 years ago. tyre wear ULTRASOFT SUPERSOFT SOFT

Like the Hôtel de Paris, Not gaining the attention Like the Monte Carlo likely to be a focal point of its softer sibling, the Beach hotel, less frantic of the Monaco weekend Supersoft is the Hôtel than the more street by gaining all the Hermitage of Pirelli’s inclined Supersoft and attention. allocation; more discreet Ultrasoft tyres, the Soft but filling a vital function is likely to be seen less all weekend. over the course of the race weekend.