Better to “take the tourist bus” to prepare Monaco
Formula 1 cars are getting heavier and heavier, as evidenced by their evolution in less than ten years. Single-seaters in motorsport’s premier class have risen from 642kg on the scale in 2013 to 798kg this season, three kilos more than expected – the FIA World Motor Sport Council has shifted that further increase into a context where most teams are struggling to reach the minimum weight.
Having to deal with cars that were less lively as a result, the drivers struggled in the bends during winter testing and the first races, which bodes ill for the Monaco Grand Prix. Especially since to prepare for the race which will take place in the streets of the Principality, the simulators are obviously not of much help.
“It will be better to take the tourist bus than to do the simulator before the race to prepare!”a joke Sebastian VettelAston Martin driver, before adding: “The car is much heavier. It’s just more inertia, more weight. Therefore, the handling has to be adapted.”
Charles Leclerc, he grew up on the streets of Monaco but has not had much success there since the start of his motorsport career since he has never seen the checkered flag in five races, despite a pole position in Formula 1 last year. His verdict is similar.
“It will be very complicated”a brilliant Leclerc. “Obviously we’ve gained a lot of downforce, we’ll have a lot of downforce in the fast corners, but in Monaco there isn’t a lot, and the lean corners are very tricky. You can feel the weight of the car. It is also steeper. So it’s going to be tough.”
As for Esteban Oconhe was quick to point out that with larger wheels topped with new appendages, visibility could be a problem. “Maybe visibility is going to be tricky in Monaco because the tires are higher on the sides. So getting closer to the rails will be harder. But once we get used to it, I think we’ll be fine.”completed the tricolor.