BMW WilliamsF1 Team - Monaco GP - Preview
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Monaco Grand Prix -- 23/25/26 May 2002 -- PREVIEW
The Monaco Grand Prix stands alongside the Le Mans 24hrs, Rallye Monte
Carlo & the Indy 500 as one of the giant occasions of motorsport, and
indeed the international sporting calendar. However, despite its glamorous
associations and deep vein of history that extends back to 1929, the race
presents the competing teams with challenges in almost every aspect of
their preparation for raceday.
The BMW WilliamsF1 Team is currently reaching the end of a five-day test at
the Valencia circuit in Spain, attended by test team drivers Marc GenÈ and
Antonio Pizzonia, and Ralf Schumacher. While important lessons are always
learnt testing, the unique character of the Monaco street circuit means
that the team will be reliant on both experience and initiative to produce
a qualifying performance that will allow them to sustain their challenge to
Ferrari.
Juan Pablo Montoya:
"I can't say I really enjoyed my debut in Monaco last year, and overall it
was a difficult weekend for me. I thought initially that it would be a lot
more fun than it was, and in fact it was extremely hard work.
"Racing in Monaco is also a bit strange as the track is 150 yards from my
house, and I use the 'track' all year round, in fact whenever I have to go
somewhere. The circuit itself is very slow with only a couple of quick
corners, and of course it's completely different from the tracks we usually
race at. It's a very fancy weekend and a glamorous event, but maybe it's a
bit too classy and I am not really that kind of person. Whatever happens, I
hope this time around will provide the BMW WilliamsF1 Team with better
memories to cherish."
Ralf Schumacher:
"I once remember someone said that racing an F1 car around Monaco is just
like flying a helicopter in your bedroom. You could not describe this race
in a better way. Monaco isn't an up-to-date race anymore, but maybe it is a
race that relates to the spirit of a different age - the atmosphere is
impressive, even if I don't particularly like racing there.
"This circuit might not suit the WilliamsF1 BMW FW24 as much as the Ferrari
F2002, but after the positive test in Valencia, I hope that we can come a
bit closer to the red cars. As long as we will still have a mathematical
chance for the World Championship, we won't let go of this target and this
approach counts just as much for the Monaco Grand Prix."
Sam Michael, Chief Operations Engineer, WilliamsF1:
"Monaco is a tight and twisty street circuit with a lot of slow speed
corners and barriers right next to the circuit. The grip level of the
circuit increases dramatically over the course of the race weekend as a
consequence of a lot of rubber being progressively laid down. With respect
to set-up, engineers are looking for maximum mechanical grip.
"Strategy is usually the same for everybody, but plenty depends on your
grid position. Michelin will provide a strong tyre for qualifying, which is
even more important here because it is almost impossible to overtake during
the race."
Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
"On the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, engine power is not the most
important factor, but good tractability of the car and driveability of the
engine is what counts for more. La Rascasse is the only bend of all current
Grand Prix circuits in which the engine revs drop to less than 5000 rpm in
first gear.
"For the spectators, the Monaco Grand Prix obviously is absolutely
fascinating, but for the teams, it is the worst race of the year. There are
no pits to speak of, and teams have to work almost on the street. If
something goes wrong during a session, it is impossible to get hold of
spare parts in time. All of this means Monaco is a tough event for the
mechanics, and the people in each team responsible for logistics."
- The 2002 Monaco GP commences at 1400hrs local, 1300hrs GMT, for 78
laps of the 3.37km circuit. Since the commencement of the BMW WilliamsF1
partnership in 2000, the team has recorded 4 dnf results in the
Principality, and WilliamsF1's historical record only shows two wins in
1980 and 1983.
- The anticipated pole time for the 2002 race is expected to be
almost 1.5s faster than David Coulthard's 1.17.43 2001 pole, which in
itself was an improvement over the previous season's time by a whole two
seconds. Coulthard also holds the current lap record for the circuit set in
2001 at 1.19.424.
Ralf Schumacher #5 Juan Pablo Montoya #6
DOB 30/06/75 - H¸rth (DEU) 20/09/75 - Bogota (COL)
Nationality German Colombian
Residence Salzburg (AUT) Monte Carlo (MCO)
Marital status Married to Cora, one son (David) Engaged to Connie
Freydell
Height 1.78 m 1.68 m
Weight 73 kg 72 kg
F1 debut 1997, Melbourne 2001, Melbourne
Poles 1 4
Wins 4 1
Points (total) 158 58
Points 2002 23 27
Fastest laps 6 5
2002 Qualifying Race Qualifying Race
GP Australia 3rd accident 6th 2nd
GP Malaysia 4th 1st 2nd 2nd
GP Brazil 3rd 2nd 1st 5th
GP San Marino 3rd 3rd 4th 4th
GP Spain 3rd 11th 4th 2nd
GP Austria 2nd 4th 4th 3rd
