Downforce takes precedence over efficiency - Rampf

The Monaco GP is a race of many extremes: During the race in the Principality, the average speed is lower than anywhere else, the track is itself is narrower than any other Formula One circuit. Willy Rampf, Technical Director of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, explains the consequences.

"Monaco is a circuit you simply can't compare with any other. It's always got some surprises up its sleeve," confirms Rampf. "The latest team rankings can easily be shaken up here. Maximum downforce is important. Greater downward pressure takes precedence over efficiency, and coming out of the many slow turns demands good traction above all."

Each year, the teams respond to the special demands of the "Circuit de la Principauté" with specific developments. Various additional winglets are used in order to increase the downforce and to be ideally prepared for the twelve left and seven right-handers. This year, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has also travelled to the race with several innovations on board.

Rampf explains: "The car will go to Monaco with aerodynamic modifications, and we are using a front axle specially developed just for this race to ensure there's enough steering angle in the tight turns like the former Loews Corner."