Unique Monaco F2 challenge awaits Louis
Louis Delétraz is raring to get the fourth round of his 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship campaign underway on the famous streets of Monaco this weekend.
The Mediterranean principality is currently gearing up to host the world-famous Monaco Grand Prix and Louis is ready to do battle in a pair of F2 races on the tight and twisty 3.33km street circuit that takes drivers past famous landmarks that include Monte Carlo’s casino and harbour.
The ADS Securities-supported driver is looking forward to getting his race weekend underway as he bids to turn his proven F2 pace into championship points.
“Monaco is one of the most unique events of the year and everyone is always waiting for it. It’s great to drive in a city environment because it brings such a good feeling. I’m happy we’re there and I can’t wait to jump in the car and drive,” the Swiss driver said.
The packed racing schedule at Monaco means Louis’ F2 weekend will start and end a day earlier than normal. Practice and qualifying will be held on Thursday, while the Feature and Sprint races will get underway on Friday and Saturday respectively.
Qualifying is always a crucial parts of an F2 race weekend – but in Monaco it takes on a whole new level of importance as the field is split into two separate groups and teams and drivers are only allocated 16 minutes to stake their claim for pole position.
“A good quali will be vital this weekend because overtakes during the races are really limited,” Louis explained. “The higher you start on the grid, the easier your life gets. That’s what everyone will be targeting.
“Tyre deg won’t be high because it’s a street circuit. That means we should be aiming for at least three push laps during the session. But the biggest concern is yellow or red flag interruptions. You can drive as clean and as fast as you like but caution periods are pretty common in Monaco and they can wipe out all your hard work.”
Louis got his first experience of racing at Monaco last season and, after doing plenty of simulator work in the lead-up to this weekend’s races, the 21-year-old believes he has a “good feeling for the flow of the track”. But he also knows Monaco is a circuit that can bite back if a driver loses concentration.
The Charouz Racing System driver said: “You need to be precise and go as close as possible to the barriers in Monaco. The biggest thing is finding a good rhythm and feeling confident.
“In general, Monaco is the kind of track where you can gain time everywhere if you drive neatly, attack all the corners and are 100% committed.”
Louis’ F2 challenge will be backed by a large group of supporters from his primary sponsor, ADS Securities, in Monaco this weekend.
