Preview

Sauber looks forward to the Monaco Grand Prix

6th round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, 23rd to 26th May 2013.

Hinwil - After the upgrades the team took to Barcelona were a step in the right direction, further updates will follow in Monaco. Sauber F1 Team drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Gutiérrez can’t wait to drive the C32 around one of the oldest tracks on the calendar.

Nico is confident the soft and super soft tyre compounds, that will be used in Monaco, suit the car well. After leading a GP for the first time and recording the fastest lap of the race, Esteban wants to continue where he left off.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Photo by: XPB Images

Nico Hülkenberg: “I’m really looking forward to the Monaco Grand Prix. The circuit along with the backdrop of the principality are just fantastic, and the atmosphere is one of the best in the season. The track is one of a kind with extremely narrow streets that will punish every little mistake.

This is a great challenge between me, the car and the track, and I always have a lot of fun driving there. In terms of performance, I’m quite positive. We’ve seen that the softer tyre compounds suit us quite well, which gives me confidence we’ll have a good weekend.”

Esteban Gutiérrez: “Driving on the limit through the narrow streets of Monaco is something special that I am really looking forward to. It’s one of my favourite tracks. I’ve driven there in GP2 twice and competing there in a Formula One car will be even more challenging and interesting.

It’s a high down force track with a lot of slow corners, and management of the rear tyres will be crucial. After the positive race in Barcelona, I am focusing on building on my performance there.”

Tom McCullough, Head of Track Engineering: “The circuit in Monaco is a real challenge for the drivers and the team. The track improves throughout the weekend and it’s important to give the drivers a set-up that gives them confidence as the barriers are very close.

For Esteban it will be his first experience in a F1 car in Monaco, but his GP2 experience has given him a good reference. This will be the first race of the season where we use both the soft and super-soft tyres.

We have some further updated aero parts to add to the package we took to Barcelona. Coming off the back of our better race pace in Barcelona, our aim is to qualify stronger, as this is particularly important in Monaco where overtaking is so difficult.”