Renault F1 Team previews the sixth race weekend of the 2019 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the Monaco Grand Prix, where Daniel Ricciardo took a sensational pole and a memorable win in 2018.
Drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo share their thoughts on the challenges of the legendary Circuit de Monaco, while Cyril Abiteboul and Chassis Technical Director Nick Chester givethe latest on the team and on the 2019 package.
Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal: "The first five races of the year have been disappointing but as ever we have adapted to address the situation. We understand the overall level of our car and the progress we need to make to satisfy our objectives, but at the same time, we appreciate the role circumstances have played in those five races.
"We have the necessary ability, resources and resilience at Enstone and Viry, but also two determined and talented drivers to recover our real competitiveness level. Monaco is a circuit that offers a huge challenge, and it's one that gives surprises too. Daniel enters this Grand Prix as last year's pole sitter and race winner and we'll be counting on his and Nico's experience to give the result we need to lift our campaign."
Nick Chester, Chassis Technical Director: "Monaco is a unique track, very slow, bumpy and tight. Each lap can be extremely busy and to allow the driver to focus solely on the driving, you need consistency from the chassis and engine every lap. Ultimately, Monaco is about confidence. When a driver is confident it can make a big difference, we will do everything we can to get Nico and Daniel happy with car balance so they can focus on the track."
Nico Hülkenberg: "There's nothing quite like Monaco; it's a real highlight of the year and the race I most look forward to. Everything is special there, the prestige of the event itself, the history and the glamour. You get a real buzz all weekend from the atmosphere. I live in Monaco so I stay at home throughout the race weekend and enjoy all the comforts that provides. There are a couple of street circuits on the Formula 1 calendar in Baku and Singapore, which are great in their own right, but Monaco is just fantastic and incomparable. It gives you a huge adrenaline rush and you really feel the sensation of speed there with walls tight on both sides for the whole lap. Monaco is about having confidence and being able to be on the limit."
Daniel Ricciardo: "Monaco is my favourite race of the year because of all the adrenaline and excitement you get out from it. Insane is probably the best way of describing the circuit. It almost feels like you shouldn't be allowed to race on it! I sit in traffic on these roads in my day to day life, so when May comes around I know it's almost time to have that one opportunity a year to race on them – that's pretty crazy when you think about it! Last year's victory is up there with one of my best wins, that's for sure. To take pole position in Monaco on two occasions is an amazing feeling, especially as you're giving it full beans for just over a minute and your adrenaline is pumping. But to have won in Monaco is a dream come true and it was made even sweeter after missing out in previous years from excellent positions."
Remember that Nico and Daniel will be behind the wheel when the all new Mégane R.S Trophy-R makes its first public appearance on 24 May, 2019, the Friday before the Grand Prix De Monaco.
Source: Renault F1 Team
