Honda drivers know Monaco qualifying is key

The Monaco Grand Prix, round seven of the 2006 FIA World Championship, is the one race that all drivers want to win at some time in their career. The narrow, twisty and bumpy street circuit presents a unique challenge, with a good qualifying position being crucial as over-taking is extremely difficult and the armco-lined streets leave no margin for error.

“We've been really strong in qualifying all this year,” asserts Jenson Button, “and that will be very important for the race as it's almost impossible to overtake except in the pit stops. It's a crazy place to be racing, the circuit is very tight and twisty and you can really feel the speed of the car when the barriers are so close to you."

“Overtaking is very difficult around the street circuit so you have to qualify well and get a good grid position,” says Rubens Barrichello. “We had a positive test at Vallelunga working on chassis set-up and tyres specifically for this race. We know that the potential is there for the car to qualify well so I'm looking forward to a good weekend.”