Adam Cooper F1

Fernando Alonso said today that Mercedes is favourite to win in Monaco – but adds that he’ll accept that as long as he can finish ahead of his main title rivals.

“The feeling is good, the team is confident, as we saw we had a competitive package, getting both our cars onto the podium in Barcelona,” said Alonso . “However, Monaco is a unique track where you need a special set-up and confidence in your driving.

“We have had two podiums here in the last couple of years, so we should be competitive again and I hope to get a good result. We can expect Mercedes, who have been on pole for the last three races, to be very strong again and remember they were on pole position here last year with Michael [Schumacher], although he lost that place with a penalty.

“We know how difficult it is to overtake here, so maybe that makes them favourite here. But we must not forget our main target which is the championship, and in that battle, Vettel and Raikkonen are ahead of us, so if Mercedes has to win one race, maybe this is the one and we must just concentrate on finishing ahead of the others.”

Having said that he’d accept being beaten by Mercedes he added that Monaco does have a special meaning.

“Of course we want to win the championship, but Monaco is a special race, let’s say the most important race of the championship. Because everyone in the world has heard something about Monaco Grand Prix, Indy 500 and Le Mans, the three races that everyone knows about even if they are not motorsport fans.

“Here we are in Monte Carlo and it’s been many years since Ferrari has managed to win here, and for me personally I could be the first man to win for three different teams and for sure that is a huge motivation to do it.”

Regarding what he needed to win, he said: “A good lap on Saturday finding a little something more than on the other laps, then a good start, while race pace and tyre degradation don’t count for much.

“You also want a clean strategy, which works well and hope that the Safety Car does not come out at the wrong time. Here the area where we have to up our performance more than at other races is qualifying, historically the point on which we have to work the most.”

Meanwhile Alonso has reserved judgement on the planned Pirelli changes.

“I have not formed an opinion on what effect that might have, because we are still waiting to find out what will be the final changes to the tyres. When we know exactly what their characteristics will be and probably we must wait until we have raced on them first, then we will be able to form an idea. From the Ferrari side, we are not taking too much notice of the tyres, as we have an important race to deal with this weekend and we know that the tyres are the same for everyone.”

Mark Webber says that Red Bull can’t rely on Mercedes having tyre issues in the Monaco GP – and thus his team aims to outqualify the silver cars and control the race from the front, as it has done at the same venue in recent years.

“They certainly have some Saturday form, which is not a bad card to play at this venue,” said Webber of Mercedes. “Again let’s see how the tyres pan out on Sunday. If they’re quite calm and they still have their qualy pace, then it could be quite nice for them. If they don’t, then there’s options to make it more difficult for them.

“Our goal is still to outqualify them of course, shoot for pole, and be in a position where we’re in charge, and not trying to deal with the in the race.

“It’s like serving in tennis, you’re in control of what’s going on to a larger degree, like I was last year. It was a one-stop last year, and we had to get to that target lap, and we got to that target lap. We pitted, we came back out, and then we nursed the tyres to the end of the race. I saved the tyres last year for 95% of the race last year and still won the race. That was the rules last year, but I doubt it will be the rules this year.”

Monaco specialist Webber made it clear that he has mixed feelings about the event as a whole.

“I think it’s a very dramatic back drop, I love the ocean, I love the cliff faces, just to have a race track here is quite exceptional. But for me in terms of all the small dogs in the handbags and that sort of stuff, it’s not really my thing…”

Sebastian Vettel says that it’s impossible to know what role tyres will play in Monaco this weekend until the teams have done some proper running.

The consensus is that Mercedes will be quick in qualifying once again, but how that might pan out in the race is hard to predict.

“People make out that Mercedes is the favourite,” said Vettel. “Obviously they had a very impressive speed in the last couple of races, and as we know in Monaco it’s very important to qualify in the front.

“It’s a bit difficult and unknown at this stage how important the tyres will be, especially how long they last. If they last well then they won’t be very important. If people are running into trouble then it could be that pole is not everything.

“But for sure it’s not a secret, around here you need to have clear laps and no traffic because overtaking is quite difficult. I still think that everyone is shooting for pole, and as I said in the last couple of races Mercedes was very strong. If we get into the groove nicely, and fine the rhythm, which I think is very important around here, then we should have a good chance. How good our chances are right now I can’t say. I think we need to get into the car tomorrow and get a first view.”

Vettel, who won at Monaco in 2011, made it clear that it’s a special event for him.

“It’s a very emotional Grand Prix, history is very popular round here. Just looking around I think it’s spectacular. Every year you come back and it’s one of the greatest Grands Prix we have, in terms of racing and overtaking it’s probably the worst place you can think of.

“Still it’s a fantastic Grand Prix, it’s exciting to race through the city, the circuit is very technical, the driver here I think is more important than in other places, that’s why as I said it’s important to get into the rhythm, be confident with your car. To win here for sure does taste sweeter than anywhere else.”

Kimi Raikkonen has again refused to divulge any details of his possible future plans, insisting that he doesn’t know what he will do in 2014.

Raikkonen, who has no commitment to Lotus beyond this season, has been linked with Mark Webber’s seat at Red Bull.

“I’m sure there are some options, it’s no secret,” he said in Monaco today. “There are also options that I don’t drive anything. Right now I have no [contractual] options, I don’t have a contract, nothing. When I have and when I know what will happen I will tell, and it’s as simple as that. I’m sure it’s not going to be the next race or the race after, so I’m sure it will take time, whatever the decision will be.”

Raikkonen conceded that he is high on people’s wish lists as other star names are under long term deals.

“For sure there are not many top, top drivers that don’t have a contract, so obviously I’m probably the only one of those. There are some contracts that will end next year… Like I said I don’t have a contract. This is normal, even when you have a contract the rumours will still go on. It’s a very normal situation in F1, and it’s not me or my management that creates the stories. Obviously it comes from another side of the table.

“I’m not in a hurry. If I would be desperate for a contract I would already try to sign it [with Lotus] last year. Like I said the year before I try to do my work well and if I do it well I am sure will get the contract if I want. I’m sure if we want to make a contract in the end together it will be very easy, and not painful way of doing it. It just involves certain details to get it right, and that’s it. I don’t really think that we have to sit down every day and discuss it because it’s not going to change, the decision has to come from me, and I have not made any decisions.”

Pressed further about staying at Lotus, he added: “Like I said still a lot of things have to happen, and a lot of things that can go that way or this way. It can also go on the other side of the life something happens, and you don’t want to be in racing or you cannot be, there’s a lot of things that will decide it for you. And then you decide OK this is it, or you choose something else.”

Mercedes has agreed terms with McLaren for Paddy Lowe to join the Brackley team as of Monday June 3.

McLaren said earlier this year that Lowe was under contract until the end of the season, but their arrangement allows the erstwhile McLaren technical director to make a significant contribution to Merc’s 2014 turbo project. It remains to be see what McLaren has received by way of compensation.

Lowe has a newly created job title and the team has stressed that Ross Brawn is still in charge.

Mercedes says: “Paddy will strengthen MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS in the role of Executive Director (Technical) and will work closely with Team Principal, Ross Brawn; Executive Director (Business), Toto Wolff; and the team’s senior technical management. As Team Principal, Ross Brawn will retain overall responsibility for technical and sporting matters.”

Lowe commented: “The team has already produced probably the fastest car of the 2013 season while the technical challenges of the new regulations for 2014 will give us the opportunity to maximise the synergies available to a works manufacturer. That is a challenge I am relishing. I have worked closely with Mercedes-Benz for almost 20 years and deeply admire the company’s phenomenal commitment to Formula One. I look forward to much success together in the years ahead.”

Brawn added: “I am delighted to welcome Paddy to the team and to begin working together. He has an excellent record of success in the sport and would be an asset to any of our rivals in the pit lane. It is no secret that every team is facing a significant balancing act between this year and next. But it is perhaps less obvious that we will also see major changes for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, as development progresses with the new generation of car design and Power Unit.

“To deliver in these circumstances, a successful team needs strength in depth. Paddy’s arrival will further strengthen our organisation and puts us in a strong position for the future.”

At least Massa had a Pole position in Warsaw today

Felipe Massa conducted a spectacular demo with a Ferrari F60 on the streets of Warsaw today, running 20 laps of a makeshift track.

The Brazilian also took the time to sum up Ferrari’s season so far, stressing that qualifying still needs to be improve.

“Overall, it’s been a positive start,” he said. “In some races we did very well, while in others, Bahrain for example, we had a few problems which cost us valuable points. We have seen an all-round improvement this year, from the car to the way the team works and we have shown we are competitive, but clearly we can still improve, especially in qualifying. We are well aware of this and working towards that goal.”

Regarding the next race he said: “I like the Monaco track a lot, partly because it’s my second home race, given I live there. You are always on the limit, very close to the barriers, with no room for error. Grid position is much more important than at any other track and so we hope we can do well right from Saturday. My aim is very simple, to always be in the fight for a podium finish.”

Not surprisingly Romain Grosjean is looking forward to Monaco, and as a French driver in a potentially race-winning car, he’s bound to be a focus of much attention.

A strong weekend in the principality last year saw the Lotus driver qualify fifth and start fourth – only for him to be eliminated in a first lap incident.

“It’s going to be fantastic to be racing there again,” he said in a team preview. “It’s like a home race to me and it’s a circuit I really love. We were quick there last year, so I hope we’re quick again. It’s a crazy week with all the focus and attention, but everyone loves Monaco. I’ve got a week to get some rest before it all starts. I can’t wait.

“Monaco is a very special event in its own right, and the atmosphere is quite crazy! As a driver you have to stay calm and relaxed and try to do your job. It is a track that doesn’t allow any mistakes. You have to respect it and that is the key there. For me it’s fantastic for there to be so many French fans, and I’m looking forward to their support.”

Regarding the E21’s potential he added: “Well this is what we will discover. Monaco is quite a specialist track and it is very difficult to say if a car will be suited to it or not. It’s bumpy on the straights and it’s a very low grip surface. All these things mean that you never know what to expect.

“On a more normal racetrack you know more what you are going to get. I hope we will have a pleasant surprise and that the car will suit Monaco’s unique challenges. That would be nice.

“I have to be honest and say I want to be on the podium again. I experienced it for the first time last season, and it felt just as good this year too. A podium result in Monaco would be amazing.”

Trintignant, Beltoise, Depailler, Panis – Monaco has thrown up some oddball French winners over the years, so perhaps Romain is worth a bet…

Even his James Hunt helmet didn’t bring Kimi much luck last year. Photo: AC

Kimi Raikkonen is determined to have a better weekend than in Monaco than he enjoyed last year, when he lost practice time after changing the steering and struggled to get up to speed.

Monaco is also the last weekend with the current tyres, which have proved favourable to Lotus.

“Well, we’re not in first place so we can’t be too happy,” he said of his season so far. “For sure it’s not a nightmare, but we’ve still got a lot of races yet to come and anything can happen in Formula 1. Monaco’s a different challenge, so we’ll have to see what happens there this year.

“We certainly won’t make the mistakes we made last time. There were a few things we didn’t do right over the weekend and we suffered because of that. Sometimes that’s the way it goes, but the important thing is not to make the same mistakes again.

“It’s such a narrow, twisty track; you have to be extra sharp and focused through every single metre. It gives such a good feeling; a fast lap around Monaco. Overtaking is almost impossible, so to really enjoy racing there you have to be in the front.”

Inevitably Kimi says that qualifying is the key.

“We have to focus on qualifying. It’s a difficult place to race as it’s so narrow and – as I said before – passing is  nearly impossible. I was stuck behind Rubens [Barrichello] in 2009 and we had KERS then, but you just couldn’t get past.

“We’ll have to see how the tyres perform and if there are any good strategies to be made, but the most important thing is to qualify well. It’s difficult to know how good the car will be in Monaco as you can’t simulate its characteristics; certainly not at any of the circuits we’ve visited so far this year anyway. We can say the E21’s been fast everywhere else so let’s hope it’s also fast there.

“We’ll do the best we can, but of course everyone will be trying to be on the front row. It’s not impossible for us, but we won’t know how good we are until we get there. We know that tyre changes have to be made so there are opportunities if you run a different strategy to your rivals, but it’s certainly more difficult here than anywhere else.”