A sixth place finish for Nico Hulkenberg in the recent Spanish Grand Prix, gave the Renault team its best-ever finish, so a return to familiar surroundings gives Monaco resident Nico Hülkenberg added confidence to add to his points tally.
Although he hails from Germany, the Hulk, like a lot of Formula One drives, resides in the Principality and classes the Monaco Grand Prix as a home event.
Racing around the streets of the town where you live has its advantages and Nico is aiming to put them to good use next weekend for the sixth round of the 2017 Formula One Championship season, the Monaco GP.
What makes Monaco so special?
There is no track like Monaco, it's the highlight of the year. It's unique and special in every aspect and I massively look forward to it. It is probably the most glamorous Grand Prix on the calendar and there is no place like it to give you a buzz and a sensation of speed.
What challenges does Monaco bring?
Physically it is not the most demanding track, but you have to really concentrate and be very precise. It is low speed, not a high G-force track, but very full-on which makes focus vital. An error puts you in the wall and ends your race. As a driver it is about confidence. Overtaking is hard but it is a thrilling race and a huge challenge, I really love racing at Monaco.
Are you confident going into the weekend?
The track should suit us, especially with the Supersoft and Ultrasoft tyres. I am looking forward to race day and obviously I'm aiming for a good result. Last year I performed there quite well and with the new cars it will feel even quicker. You need a good rhythm and a good harmony with yourself and the car and feel comfortable. Lap times can be tricky to find, but in recent years I have done well, so hopefully we can have another strong performance.
Is patience the key to success on a street circuit like Monaco?
You have to build it up step by step, session by session. The last thing you want to do is touch a wall as that will take all your confidence away. In qualifying you peak and take more risks and get closer to the barriers and really get on the limits. But it is a street circuit, we know what they entail and you have to be sensible and totally focused on the task.
What are the notable elements of racing in your back yard?
I scooter and bike around the track, sometimes through the tunnel! It is kind of weird to go home every night between sessions, but it is a nice change-up to the normal routine.
