The Montreal mistake
Always considered one of the most special weekends of the championship, this year’s Monaco Grand Prix could offer a chance to the rookie Audi team to forget the strategic error made in the last race in Canada. The two drivers of the German team, along with a few others on the starting grid, actually opted for intermediate tires on a still dry track, hoping for rain in the first laps. A rain dance that did not have the expected effects, forcing Hülkenberg and Bortoleto to immediately return to the pits to mount dry tires.
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The characteristics of Monaco
For the German, as well as for his teammate, it is now time to leave behind what happened in Canada, returning to a street circuit where he was the protagonist of good performances especially in Force India. In 2014, with 5th place overall, he achieved his best result in the Principality: “Monaco is probably the most iconic race weekend on the calendar, both on and off the track. For me, it’s also a bit like racing at home, having my family and friends around makes everything really special. The challenge here is unique: you have to find the rhythm from the first lap, because there is no margin for error and no real opportunities to make up for it. The midfield group is extremely tight, so doing a great qualifying will be fundamental. Monaco can hold surprises, but that’s exactly what makes it so special.”
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The only driver of the Four Rings to have finished in the points zone in this first phase of the season with 9th place in Melbourne, Bortoleto is preparing for his second weekend in the Principality, where he achieved the podium in F2 in the 2024 Sprint Race: “I can’t wait to race again in Monaco. It’s one of those circuits where every driver wants to do well, for its history and for the driving challenge it represents, and the atmosphere is always special. Morale within the team is high and it’s something we can build on for this event. In Monaco, it’s all about confidence, precision, and doing everything the right way during the weekend, so we will focus on having a series of smooth sessions and making the most of every opportunity.”
