Monaco Q&A with Louis Delétraz: “It will be a new challenge and a new experience...”

22/05/17 Monaco Q&A with Louis Delétraz: “It will be a new challenge and a new experience...”

The Racing Engineering team and its driver Louis Delétraz have been preparing hard for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix as the 2017 FIA F2 Championship is already looking as if it will be a very closely fought season and all the teams and drivers will have to fight hard to score points. The previous round in Barcelona was a difficult one for Louis when another competitor ruined his chances of scoring a good result but he showed in both Qualifying and Saturday’s Race that he is quickly adapting to the very competitive atmosphere in his maiden F2 season. Racing Engineering has taken two second places in the last two years so the young Swiss can be sure he will have a car that is capable of taking him onto the podium.

Below Louis looks forward to this weekend at a circuit he has never raced on before.

The season didn't start as planned so far, but what are the positives you have seen so far and you will build on for the next events?

The season didn't start as planned that's true. We've been pretty unlucky and I also made some rookie mistakes. The positive is that we keep improving and we definitely have the pace to get much better results. I can't wait to finally have a proper weekend and show what we can do!

This will be your first time you will race a car through the streets of the Principality of Monaco. How do you prepare for such an event?

We prepare as a team. The major part is spent on the simulator at the team workshop where I learn the track and take my references. We also look at data and speak about the weekend in general. This preparation is a big part of a successful weekend.

With many elevation changes and tight corners, in Monaco you drive with only millimetres separating you from walls and barriers, where do you see the main challenges for the driver?

I have never driven in Monaco, nor on a street circuit so it will be a new challenge and a new experience. I can't wait because it's magical, driving between the walls must be incredible. You must not make a single mistake, because otherwise you hit the wall and damage the car. You need to have an incredible level of focus!

In Monaco each lap is exciting, what are your expectations for the upcoming event?

I will enjoy each lap that's for sure. It's always hard to explain expectations, I mean for sure I want to win, it's the same target every time I sit in a race car. To win in Monaco is all about qualifying and then not making mistakes. I am really motivated to do well and score points in Monaco, it will be a big challenge, but I'm ready!