BMW Sauber F1 Team - Monaco Grand Prix - Preview

Monaco Grand Prix.

24th - 27th May 2007
5th of 17 World Championship races

Preview.

Munich/Hinwil, 18th May 2007. The most prestigious race of the season is just
around the corner. The Monaco Grand Prix is a law unto itself: speeds topping
280 km/h are permitted in the town centre, a city circuit that throws up the
ultimate challenge in terms of precision driving. Sheer engine power alone
doesn't get you very far here, but aerodynamic downforce is of the essence.
Passing manoeuvres are a thing of rarity, so a good starting slot on the grid
is invaluable. Friday is traditionally free of F1 engine noise as numerous
spectators arrive in their yachts, turning the harbour into one of the
flashiest marine parking lots in the world - and an almost seamless pedestrian
walkway. For some the Monaco Grand Prix spells fun and entertainment, for
others it's a matter of high-performance sport and high-tech. The BMW Sauber F1
Team with its drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica heads for the
Principality with the aim of further bolstering its third place in the
constructors' standings.

Nick Heidfeld:
"I'm looking forward to Monaco. Everything about this race is just spectacular:
the backdrop with all those yachts, the stars and starlets, the parties, and
unfortunately the prices as well. And, of course, the circuit itself. You can't
really put into words what it's like to drive a F1 race car through the
built-up streets. The ratio of narrowness to speed simply defies description,
and it's something I really enjoy. Two years ago I came second in Monaco. Last
year we had a fault during qualifying, which meant I started from 16th, but
still managed to pick up two championship points by finishing seventh. It goes
to show that the key thing in Monaco is not to make any mistakes.

"The Monaco GP is a highlight not just for us drivers, but for the spectators
as well. Nowhere else can you get so close to the circuit. At modern race
tracks the fans are miles away from the action. Also, the sound of the engines
downtown is out of this world. I lived in Monaco for a few years and had a lot
of fun there. I was looking for a quieter long-term environment for my private
life, but I love coming back to Monte Carlo year after year."

Robert Kubica:
"From a driver's point of view the Monaco Grand Prix is something really
special in the Formula One calendar. There's very little room for error and
you're driving at the limit virtually the whole time. You can't afford to slip
up on these narrow streets. I've raced in Monte Carlo in the World Series by
Renault, but this year it will be an experience for me to appear there for the
first time in a Formula One race. In 2006 I drove on Friday at the GP, but not
very much because of technical problems.

"For the first time since the start of the season in Melbourne, high downforce
is required again, and that's another reason why I'm looking forward to Monaco.
It's going to be a real challenge and I can't wait to see how well we do. In
the past I've always managed all right on city circuits."

Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
"The Monaco Grand Prix is fascinating. On the one hand it's the highlight of
the season, and on the other it's an anachronism. The race puts the teams under
extreme pressure due to the narrow circuit, it's an extreme challenge for the
drivers because of the sheer precision it demands, and for the spectators it's
a unique experience to be so close. No grand prix is as famous as this one and
none as glamorous. Yachts and partying are a matter of taste, but Monaco
wouldn't be the same without them.

"Technically, the aerodynamic requirement is for maximum downforce and an
engine that copes well in the low rev ranges as well. Both our cars are on
schedule to receive fresh engines. We haven't had any problems so far this
season on the engine side. We managed to get to the bottom of the gearbox
problem in Nick's F1.07 in Barcelona before the race day was over, and
corrective measures were already being applied during the test in Paul Ricard.
We have also worked through Nick's botched-up pit stop and learnt the lessons
for any future incidents.

"For us in Monte Carlo it's a case of notching up a fault-free weekend and
further cementing our third place in the constructors' standings."

Willy Rampf, Technical Director:
"Monaco is a circuit you simply can't compare with any other. It's always got
some surprises up its sleeve and the latest team rankings can easily be shaken
up here. After our positive test session in Paul Ricard I think we are well
prepared. Monaco is the circuit with the lowest average speed, which is why
maximum downforce is so important. Greater downward pressure takes precedence
over efficiency, and coming out of the many slow turns demands good traction
above all.

"It is also crucial that the car responds with absolute precision and
predictability, because the tiniest of errors will mean hitting the crash
barriers and the end of the race. 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."

History and background:

The history of how the Principality of Monaco got its name already alludes to
its unique status. Here, in the 5th century BC, Greek settlers erected a temple
dedicated to Hercules "Monoikos", which translates along the lines of Hercules
"Alone".

Covering an area of 1.97 square kilometres, Monaco is the world's second
smallest independent state after the Vatican. It is made up of the districts of
Monte Carlo, La Condamine, Fontvieille, Le Larvotto, Les Moneghetti and Monaco
Ville. This state that knows neither income tax nor inheritance tax has a
population of 33,300, only 5,070 of whom are true Monegasques. Monaco is the
most densely populated state in the world. A constitutional hereditary
monarchy, it is headed by Prince Albert II.

Monaco has the shortest GP circuit, covering a distance of 3.340 kilometres. It
boasts the highest number of laps per race (78) but the shortest race distance
of the season at 260.520 kilometres.

Since 1950, 53 grands prix have been held in Monaco, with the circuit length
varying between 3.145 and 3.370 kilometres. For the first 14 GPs hosted here,
the race distance covered a total of 100 laps. The most successful driver in
Monaco to date is Ayrton Senna, who took away six victories.

It wasn't until 2004 that garages were built alongside the pit lane in Monaco.
Prior to that the teams had to push the cars back and forth between the
makeshift garages in the paddock and the pit lane for each practice and
qualifying session and for the race.

On Fridays the Formula One engines remain silent in Monaco, which is why the
first two free practice sessions are held on Thursday.