Kevin Magnussen Q&A: Monaco Grand Prix

Following the decision to not hold the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to flooding in the region, Formula 1 travels next to the Principality for the Monaco Grand Prix. In a calendar full of ‘stand-out’ events, what does Monaco mean to you?

“First, we’re hoping for the best for the region and people of Emilia Romagna and neighboring areas. Of course, it’s sad to cancel a grand prix but I completely agree with the decision. Monaco is a special event for me, one of the most special of the season. Monaco is the best place to drive a Formula 1 car. Of course, it’s very narrow and it’s a small track, but it’s fast so you really feel the speed.”

Qualifying has become the most intense part of a race weekend with timings and minimal traffic key to getting a clean flying lap. No place is that more important than in Monaco where the risk of yellow flags is high and traffic’s inevitable. How does a driver and their team work together during a session to best navigate all the variables? 

“Qualifying is the most important part of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. It’s a very small track and traffic at the end of the lap before you start a flying lap can often be a challenge. Communication with the team and trying to set yourself up with a little bit of extra tire temperature and brake temperature before having to bunch up in the queue before you start your lap is important. 

"It’s also a little random, so it’s hard to fully prepare for, you’ve just got to be mindful and just try to make the best out of Turn 1 as you’re often going to arrive there with cold tires and brakes so it’s a bit of a compromise.” 

 

The Circuit de Monaco is narrow and its street circuit characteristics don’t lend themselves to overtaking. What set-up do you need on the car and is this a track where you expect the VF-23 to be successful on?

“You base your set-up fully for qualifying in Monaco. You’re trying to get everything set-up for that one lap because overtaking in the race is next to impossible. You make or break your weekend in qualifying so it’s really all about one lap performance and I think that’s what makes Monaco unique as well. 

"It’s all about going fast on that one lap in qualifying. I think that’s cool to have, there’s almost no other place on the calendar that has that characteristic so I’m really looking forward to it. I see no reason why the VF-23 won’t be strong there, it’s been pretty strong at all of the races this year, and I don’t expect any difference in Monaco.”