Mercedes GP boss Ross Brawn: Not expecting a lot of overtaking in Monaco Grand Prix – Formula 1 news
Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn has said that he is not expecting a lot of overtaking in the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.
He also mentioned that banning the Drag Reduction System under the Monaco tunnel will hinder a driver’s pace in the race. In addition, he said he expected Pirelli’s high degradation will challenge the teams in the upcoming race weekend.
He added, “The finish line straight is too short. With our strategic planning we do not think overtaking will be much easier than before. Even a driver two or three seconds faster struggles to overtake. Track position is probably the decisive factor. So,
a grid position will be more important than at any other track.”
Brawn believes that their team drivers Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher can maintain a good pace with the DRS throughout the weekend.
The use of the DRS at the low-speed circuit will definitely force the drivers to take risks. In order to get themselves used to, they will be testing the device thoroughly at the track during the Thursday practice session and the qualifying round of the
Monaco race.
On the other hand, the Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli is expecting a lot of tyre degradation this weekend. For the Monaco race, they have predicted a minimum of two pitstops on the supersoft tyres.
Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery said, “The peak of performance is definitely one lap. It will have that characteristic of a qualifying tyre so you will want to put in your best lap straight away and it will be a fast-wearing tyre.”
The strong teams are hoping to challenge the Red Bull Racing team. The sixth round of the 2011 Formula 1 calendar seems most the challenging one with its tight turns and straights.
Let’s see how the DRS provides a chance of overtaking to the drivers this weekend. The action at Monte Carlo begins Thursday, May 26, 2011 with the two free practice sessions.
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