Motorsports Feature - Mercedes/Petronas GP Monaco Preview

The Monaco Grand Prix, one of the undoubted highlights of the Formula One calendar, takes place around the streets of Monte Carlo on Sunday 29 May. Round Six of the 2011 World Championship is scheduled just one week after the Spanish Grand Prix, presenting a challenge for the teams to pack up and change location along the Mediterranean.

The 3.340km circuit winds round the streets of the principality with eight left and 11 right turns.

Monaco will see the debut of the Pirelli super soft compound as the option tyre denoted by red markings.

Mercedes-Benz powered cars have taken seven wins and 13 podiums at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Michael Schumacher "Monaco has always been one of my favourite races and I love driving there. The street circuit may be somewhat anachronistic when we usually care so much about safety but the race is so special on the Formula One calendar that for once, you just go for it. What I also like is that it must be great for the fans to be close to the cars and experience the power. We had a more positive weekend in Barcelona so I hope that we can carry this progress through to Monaco. It's difficult to predict how the car will perform as it is such a unique circuit so we will have to wait and see."

Nico Rosberg "The Monaco Grand Prix is always a thrilling weekend for me. It's my home race and to drive in front of my family and my friends is always very special. My old school is actually right next to the paddock! I also really love driving the circuit as you have to drive very aggressively but also be so precise. The drive through the tunnel at 280 kph is always a real adventure. You are so close to the barriers that you can really feel how fast the cars actually are. This year, the race has the potential to be more exciting than ever. If KERS and the DRS do make overtaking possible, it will be great for the fans."

Ross Brawn, Team Principal "The Monaco Grand Prix presents a very special challenge and is one of those race weekends that everyone really enjoys. It's also a race track where you never know what can happen, and the experience of winning at Monaco is something very special. Over the last three race weekends, I have been pleased with how the team and drivers have performed, and we have seen a steady improvement in our consistency. We need to find more performance and more speed from the car, and will continue to work hard at this, both at the factory and in Monaco."

Norbert Haug, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport "Everyone in our team is looking forward to the classic race around the streets of Monte Carlo next weekend. The Monaco Grand Prix is probably the most famous and best known motorsport event worldwide, and Mercedes-Benz has fond memories of great wins there. Logistically this race is always a challenge for the team and the organisers as it takes place just seven days after the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. But still, everyone loves the race, and we hope for a good result and better speed compared to the top of the field than we had in Barcelona."