LOTUS HEADS FOR MONACO FOR HISTORIC RACE WITH ANGRY NEW SPONSOR
The Lotus F1 team heads to the Monaco this weekend (24-27 May 2012) as a favourite, after two podium finishes already this season, to climb onto the podium again, and possibly, the top step, but whatever the result, it will be a historic event as the 500th time Lotus has competed in a Formula One Grand Prix.
The Lotus F1 team will also arrive in Monaco with an Angry new sponsor flying into Monte Carlo in the shape of the world’s most successful, with more than one billion downloads, digital game, Angry Birds, with the game’s creator, Rovio, becoming an official Angry partner.
In addition, a unique version of the Angry Birds game will be available exclusively from the team’s Facebook fan page for a limited period of time. ‘Lotus F1 Team Angry Birds’, specifically designed for the Monaco Grand Prix, will be playable from Wednesday May 23 onwards
But back to the Lotus team’s 500th GP. Kimi Räikkönen won at Monaco in 2005 in an event he admits is especially hard.
“I’ve only managed to get it right once before, you really do get the greatest feeling by winning it,” he explains. “My win in 2005 ranks up there with my most memorable. So to win it again would be just as special. It’s such a twisty and narrow track. You have to be extra sharp and focussed in every single metre you go fast there. It gives such a good feeling a fast lap in Monaco. Overtaking has been almost impossible there in the past so to really enjoy racing there you have to be at the front.”
Following a second event where both Lotus cars scored strongly, Team Principal, Eric Boullier ponders the team’s expectations for the season and looks forward to the next chapter in the small Principality of Monaco.
“After a difficult first few races – where our pace on track did not convert to results at the chequered flag – it’s true to say we have had two strong results and if we continue to score like this we may have to revise our expectations,” he explains. “That said, nothing stands still in Formula 1 and we would be foolhardy to underestimate the opposition. We have had two good results, yes, but we have not scored a win. Things change very quickly so we won’t be resting on our laurels.”
While Romain Grosjean will be making his Monaco Grand Prix debut, he does have a good record at the Circuit de Monaco. An outstanding performance during the 2011 GP2 Feature race saw the Frenchman finish in P4 having started at the back of the grid in P26.
“I think Monaco is going to be a fantastic event and it is a special race for me for sure,” says Romain. “There are certain to be a lot of French fans, and I’m looking forward to their support. It’s also 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’s a track that doesn’t allow any mistakes. You have to respect it and that is the key there I think. Hopefully we can have another good result.”
The original Lotus team won at Monaco in 1960 (Stirling Moss), 1961 (Moss), 1968 (Graham Hill), 1969 (Hill), 1970 (Jochen Rindt) and 1974 (Ronnie Peterson), which combined with the modern team’s 1994 win makes Lotus the third most successful team at Monaco.
In its current guise, the Lotus F1 Team made its Monaco Grand Prix debut in 1981 under the Toleman name, with British drivers Derek Warwick and Brian Henton at the wheel.In its various guises the team has achieved four Monaco Grand Prix victories to date; the first in 1994 (Michael Schumacher, Benetton) and the most recent in 2006 (Fernando Alonso, Renault). Including the four victories, the team has taken eight Monaco Grand Prix podiums; the first in 1984 (Ayrton Senna, Toleman) and the most recent in 2010 (Robert Kubica, Renault).The team has also claimed a total of three pole positions for the Monaco Grand Prix; the first in 1994 (Michael Schumacher, Benetton) and the most recent in 2006 (Fernando Alonso, Renault).Under its various banners, the team has set three fastest laps during Monaco Grands Prix; the first in 1984 (Ayrton Senna, Toleman) and the most recent in 1996 (Jean Alesi, Benetton).
The Circuit de Monaco is one Kimi knows well, having taken one win (2005), three podiums (2003 / 2005 / 2009), one pole position (2005) and two fastest laps (2003 / 2008) from his nine Grands Prix in the principality.
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