PlanetF1

Haug: Qualy all important in Monaco

Sunday 20-May-2012 10:18

Norbert Haug reckons the only thing this season that's even vaguely clear is that the best chance of winning a race is by starting on pole..

In a season that has seen five winners from five different teams there isn't much one can count on expect that securing pole position still gives a driver a better than average chance of winning a grand prix.

"It has been an exciting and unexpected first quarter of the 2012 season," said Haug. "Now Formula One visits the most atypical circuit of all, Monaco.

"It makes unusual, one-off demands of the cars: there are fast and narrow sections, but also eight corners taken at under 100kph and over 4,500 gear changes during the race. It is also incredibly challenging and rewarding for the drivers.

"In Monaco, more than any other circuit, the driver can really make the difference, especially on a single qualifying lap. Both Nico and Michael have shown a great feeling for the circuit and the ability to master it in recent seasons.

"After all the talk of unpredictability of the teams' performance levels this year, there are also clear facts: three of five races have been won from pole position, including Nico's victory in China.

"What's more, the five drivers who have completed every race lap are all in the top seven in the current Championship standings. Strong qualifying speed has been rewarded at every race, and consistently finishing races appears to be even more important in 2012.

"In the last three races, Nico has scored a total of 41 points, the second highest total in the field after Sebastian Vettel with 43."

Looking ahead to next weekend's grand prix in Monte Carlo, the Mercedes motorsport boss reckons his outfit can provide Nico Rosberg and his team-mate Michael Schumacher with a car capable of fighting at the front.

"Our focus in Monaco will be to extract the maximum from our further developed technical package. Giving the drivers a car they can trust and feel confident in is worth more here than at any other circuit on the calendar."