Honda duo aiming to make the most of their experience around the most unforgiving circuit on the F1 calendar this weekend.
Honda star Jenson Button has described the glamorous, 78-lap Monaco Grand Prix as one of the most demanding and exhausting experiences of the Formula 1 season - but also, should you manage to master it, one of the most rewarding.
The British ace has only once finished inside the points around the winding, tortuous streets of the Principality, but that was in second place with BAR-Honda back in 2004, one year on from his huge practice shunt exiting the tunnel that had forced him to miss the race. He has invariably been quick there, and is clearly approaching the 2008 event with a good deal of enthusiasm.
"Monaco is a truly special race weekend," the 28-year-old underlined, acknowledging the event as a unique test of man and machine. "It's completely different from any other venue on the calendar, although it will be interesting to see how the street circuits in Valencia and Singapore compare later this year.
"The Monaco Grand Prix means a great deal to me as it is one of my three home races of the year, along with Silverstone and Japan. However, being a resident of Monaco is of no benefit over the race weekend as the Principality is completely transformed!
"It's unbelievably busy and getting around can be just impossible, but what I love about Monaco is that it is a fantastic race for the fans, who can get so close to the action and noise of Formula 1.
"The whole lap at Monaco is just a non-stop challenge, and you have to maintain absolute focus and concentration over every single one of the 78 laps of the race.
"The absolute key to a really quick lap is to not let the barriers intimidate you, as this is a circuit that rewards precision. Having a good qualifying session and getting the best grid position possible is so important to a successful weekend. Passing is very difficult during the race, so you need to make a good start and do your overtaking off the line where possible."
Team-mate Rubens Barrichello - who celebrated breaking Riccardo Patrese's long-held record for the highest number of F1 starts in Istanbul last time out - has begun 15 Monaco Grands Prix and finished seven of them in the points, most memorably achieving Stewart Grand Prix's maiden rostrum finish in the top flight courtesy of the runner-up spot there in 1997. He is hoping to put all that experience to good use this year to open his points-scoring account for 2008 - and put a stop to a 22-race barren run that incredibly stretches all the way back to the end of 2006.
Admitting that the narrow streets of Monte Carlo are 'bumpy and unforgiving' at the best of times, the 35-year-old stressed the need for good mechanical grip and drivability to cope with the low-speed, high-downforce demands of the track. He also admitted that drivers get a rare feeling for the true speed of a Formula 1 car when they are travelling so perilously close to the circuit's barriers, and reckoned the first Monaco Grand Prix in the absence of traction control in almost a decade would be 'interesting', to say the least…
"This will be my 16th Monaco Grand Prix," the affable Brazilian confirmed, "so I know the circuit very well by now! Like everyone, Monaco is one of my favourite races and I have been successful here in the past, finishing on the podium four times.
"I particularly enjoying qualifying at Monaco - it's one of the biggest challenges of the year to get it right and give yourself the best chance in the race. Experience does count around Monaco, as the driver and your strategy can make the difference to the outcome of your race - it's not purely about car performance. And of course, on the day, you have to keep the car out of the barriers and bring it safely home."
