What's at stake at Monaco for Renault?

This weekend the Formula One circus visits the most glamorous location on the calendar, and the Monaco roller coaster will provide surprises both on and off the track. The ING Renault F1 Team is up for the challenge.

"Monaco is unique so it is very difficult to simulate the characteristics of this very special circuit. The importance of this grand prix outweighs all the others on the calendar. Last week, most of the teams participated in a private test session on the Paul Ricard circuit. There they evaluated the super soft and soft Bridgestone tyres for Monaco (and Montreal), as well as the low-downforce aero set-ups for Montréal. Taking into account the fact the Ricard layout has little in common with that of Monaco, the overall classification of this session is to be taken with a pinch of salt. The test enabled the ING Renault F1 Team to evaluate the optimal operating conditions for the new tyre. As always the teams will use new aero parts to generate maximum downforce and Renault will be no exception."

"The Monaco circuit is one of the few on the calendar where a driver can compensate for his car’s defects by his skill and experience. When it comes to flirting with the guardrail at 250 km/h, Giancarlo Fisichella has few equals in the world. Even if the R27 has been less competitive than expected since the start of the season, the Italian can’t wait to get out onto the streets of the Principality. Heikki has never driven an F1 car in Monaco but he has raced on the track in a GP2 car with slick tyres and 650 bhp under his right foot. The Finn should get into the swing very quickly this weekend and both drivers’ motivation couldn’t be stronger."

"With 24 hours to go to the first practice session the answer must be Ferrari and McLaren. The Scuderia has won three of the first four grands prix (Raïkkönen in Australia and Massa in Bahrain and Spain) while the Woking machines have one victory to their name, Sepang. Logically Ferrari would be favourite if Monaco were not such a unique challenge. Kimi Raïkkönen looked on track for victory last year until retirement put paid to his chances, and Fernando Alonso has already shown that the twists and turns of the Monegasque roller-coaster hold no fears for him."

"Yes is the answer! Monaco without surprises is like Satchmo without his trumpet: an impossibility. Remember the 2006 event and the incident involving Michael Schumacher in practice and the ensuing controversy? This year will have its share of upsets. Some of the circuit specialists will be out to show their mettle: Giancarlo Fisichella, of course, but don’t forget Jarno Trulli (Toyota) and Nick Heidfeld (BMW-Sauber). In these tight surroundings packed with cars, qualifying will be even more of a lottery than usual. The grid line-up could spring a few surprises. Some teams that are lacking in pace could decide to take a gamble and got for pole just to give their sponsors a shot of high-profile media visibility."