PART ONE: DRIVERS – Jenson
BUTTON (McLaren), Nico HULKENBERG (Renault), Esteban OCON (Force India)
PRESS CONFERENCE
Q: Jenson, 2009 Monaco GP winner and World Champion of course, welcome back.
Unusual circumstances to say the least. What level of preparation have you
done for this race and how well do you feel you know the 2017 McLaren F1
car?
Jenson BUTTON: First of all it’s great to be back, good to see so many faces
I haven’t seen for six months, apart from TV obviously. The preparation has
been good; apart from [the fact that] I haven’t obviously driven the car.
These new regulations… so it’s not perfect. The option was to do half a day
in Bahrain, which I though was absolutely useless for me to do, a completely
different type of circuit. I said to the team, I think it’s best if I do a
few days in the simulator. Obviously as drivers we love the simulator, so I
was raring to go. I spent a lot of time in the simulator getting a feel for
it. Yeah, it’s been interesting. You know, most of the stuff is the same,
but there are a few things that are obviously different, with the difference
in regulations, and there are always… it just changes year to year with new
technology and what have you. A few things to learn but it’s still a racing
car, just got to get used to it being a bit wider.
Q: The McLaren was competitive in Alonso’s hands in Spain in qualifying and
this track is now McLaren’s best chance of scoring some points in the near
future. And I guess you need them now after Sauber bagged some points last
time out in Spain. So, although this substitute appearance was supposed to
be fairly low pressure, do you actually feel there is a lot of pressure on
you to score some points for the team?
JB: Definitely not. I’m very relaxed. Very excited, actually. It’s
interesting coming back for one grand prix. It being Monaco it's very
special. I’ve won here before, I’ve lived here for 17 years, and I’ve had
some really good experiences here. It’s exciting. But I don’t feel any
pressure – none at all. I will obviously get in the car and I will do the
best job I can, that’s what I’m here to do and everything I do in life is
the same: you want to be competitive, you want to get the best out of
yourself and you want to get the best out of the equipment and the team that
you are working with. That hasn’t changed. The car seemed to be working well
in Barcelona in qualifying. Fernando did a good job. I think it still proves
that the car itself is working well. I drove it in the simulator and I
drover the upgrade, which I was misquoted on by the way, but I drove the
upgrade and it was a definite improvement and there are more improvements
here as well. If it’s all straightforward this weekend, we should be
reasonably… reasonably competitive.
Q: Well have a great weekend, thank you very much. Nico, three consecutive
points finishes and you have three time qualified in the top eight this
season, so does it feel like it’s all starting to come together with
Renault?
Nico HULKENBERG: Yeah it does, especially Barcelona; Sunday was a good race
for us, although we had quite a bit of help from some colleagues. But that’s
racing sometimes. Overall the global situation is good, the team is very
hungry and working pretty hard, little upgrades coming every weekend, which
is very important in the season. I think we are putting ourselves in a
position where we can just constantly battle for points which is the target
and the ambition for this year. So as far as I can see looks all promising
and good.
Q: Now you qualified fifth on the grid here last year in a Force India, so
what’s the secret to punching above your weight around Monaco?
NH: It’s just nailing the lap when it counts. Obviously here it's tough to
push your personal limit higher and higher and it’s just building up that
confidence over the weekend and then you peak really in that Q3 lap. Last
year I remember it was a hell of a lap that I was very happy about and I’ll
try to do more of the same this year.
Q: Esteban, five points finishes out of five and a career best fifth place
in Spain, that’s some start to the year. You must be absolutely delighted.
Now presumably the target is to be really troubling your team-mate Sergio
Pérez every weekend and getting front of him?
Esteban OCON: Yeah, I’m pleased with the start of my season with Force
India. The target was to be scoring points at every race, that’s what we are
doing at the moment and the car is constantly improving as well. On my side
we could have done a little bit better. For the first three races I was
still learning and if we had put all the details together a bit more was
possible. But I’m pleased with that, scoring points at every race, just keep
improving all the time, keep getting closer to Sergio as well, and now we
are having the same lap times and the same pace so we are fighting on the
same step which is really good and that’s what I want to keep doing for the
future.
Q: You’ve never raced at Monaco before, despite racing in some series that
have been here but Force India has a strong record here, both cars finished
in the top six here last season. How have they prepared you for this race
and what’s your own research shown you about how the race unfolds?
EO: Yeah, unfortunately I’ve never been racing here, I’ve just been here to
watch the race in the previous years when I was a reserve driver. I’ve been
spending a lot of time in the simulator. It’s like I know the track already,
because I have ben playing it on games since I was so young, I’ve been
around as well. A lot of days in the simulator, a lot of research on the
internet for me, watching just onboard laps from Jenson, from all the guys…
JB: The old guys.
EO: The old guys, yeah! No, it has been good and I think I can’t be more
prepared to arrive.
Q: Before I pass it to the floor, one quick question to Nico and Jenson on
driving these wider 2017 cars around these streets. They are quite a bit
wider, so from the point of view of judging the barriers and overtaking,
maybe a thought on that Nico?
NH: Obviously by now we have done a couple of races and spent quite a bit of
time in these cars so I think we all adjusted to that. But yeah, first time
tomorrow maybe we’ll have to readjust a little bit but I don’t think that
will be too difficult or take too long.
JB: I haven’t driven the car, so I don’t know! To be fair, it’s probably not
a bad thing stepping in it here. It’s going to be a shock to the system
anyway driving the car so… I think it’s going to be a little bit unusual for
everyone having the car wider, but you’re still sat in the middle, so you
should be able to judge things pretty easily.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Dan Knutson – Auto Action and Speed Sport) Jenson, when the idea was
broached to you was it an instant yes, or did you have to think about it,
even for a few seconds?
JB: I asked my dogs and they said “we can do without you for a week or so”.
My girlfriend said “you gotta do what you do” and I said yes, and it was my
decision. I could have said no if I wanted to, as we all can – no one wants
a racing drive who doesn’t want to drive. Really excited but obviously the
preparation could have been better if I had the opportunity to test the car
in a proper test, but that’s not the way Formula One works. You’ve got to be
ready. I think fitness-wise that’s not an issue. I’m sure the neck is going
to be a bit sore after Thursday, even around Monaco. But we’ve got Friday
off, so a little bit of rest. Mikey Muscles is back for a one-off race, my
physio as well, so he’s going to be rubbing me once again. So it’s an
exciting challenge and that’s what it’s all about isn’t it and that’s what
we’re here for and I’m really looking forward to it.
Q: (Peter Farkas – Auto Motor) Jenson, obviously you have driven cars with
more downforce before, before 2009 actually. Wouldn’t you have done the
Bahrain test even if you hadn't driven those other cars or do you think it
would have been help for you?
JB: Well, in hindsight it’s always easier to say “no, I wouldn’t have”
because I would have only done 17 laps the day that I would have tested and
I was only going to do half a day anyway. So, no, I think Bahrain is such a
different circuit to here. I think as long as you understand the way the car
is working and obviously I have every bit of information possible and I run
through it for days in terms of set-up work and what helps the car in
certain ways and how it reacts to certain things, those are the key things
you need to understand and those things you can do in the simulator, which
is what I have done. Obviously it’s wider, so that’s the bigger thing for
me. In terms of the way the tyres work. You know they have been pretty
tricky for the last few years. I know they work differently, but you work
your way around it and I have a couple of days to do that. It’s also warm,
which helps. Over the weekend there will be things where I’m sure it will be
a little bit tricky but it’s about putting the time and the effort in
working around those issues and hopefully coming out on top.
Q: (Jerome Pugmire – Associated Press) A question for Nico and Esteban. Some
of the drivers have described how much more physically tiring and demanding
the race is this year. Can you give your feedback on that and how much more
difficult you’re finding that, physically?
EO: I think it is a bit more difficult. To be honest I was expecting it to
be more, much more than that. The main difference is you push harder in the
race because the tyre lasts longer. But all in all it’s not that much more
difficult.
NH: Yeah it is a bit more physical for sure, but I think the real test will
be later in the year when we go to Singapore and the really tough tracks
that every year are the most difficult ones. Then it will make even a bigger
difference. So far it’s been OK. I think we all took it seriously in the
winter and prepared for it, so that’s why I think we’re OK.
Q: (Barna Zsoldis – Nemzeti Sport) Jenson, according to the official
announcement in Monza you are now a key member of a very innovative
three-driver line-up. If it’s like that, why did you hesitate to say yes or
no and what is your exact position in the team now?
JB: That hasn’t changed. I’m still an ambassador for the team, some might
say a third driver and this weekend I’ve got the opportunity to race the
car. I was going to be here anyway and instead of sitting around drinking
champagne I can actually do what I’m supposed to do and that’s race cars for
a living. Very lucky position and as I said it’s a very exciting position to
be in – a challenge, but a good one.
Q: (Andrew Frankel – Forza) Nico, you’re already a champion at Le Mans and
we have Fernando this weekend at Indy. Should he do as well as we would all
like him to do, would you gentleman all consider having a go at
Indianapolis?
NH: For me, personally, at the moment, no. There is nothing that strikes me
about it or gets me excited. Le Mans was one thing, so I can see myself
going back there. Indy, for the moment, no. Maybe in the future, in the next
few years, that might change, I don’t know – but at the moment I’m happy
where I am.
Jenson?
JB: Indy’s not really been something that I’ve thought about. Personally, I
was surprised that Fernando was interested in doing it but we all like
different things. We’re racing drivers, we’re not just F1 drivers and we
like trying other sports. For me, I’d like to do Le Mans one day, I think it
would be a great experience, great team atmosphere. Obviously it has to be
the right opportunity, like Nico had . I would like to race in NASCAR, I
think that’d be fun. Yeah, I went along to one of the races this year,
Jimmie Johnson invited me and I had a great time and loved seeing ‘the show’
as it is. It’s very different to other motorsports but equally it’s a
challenge. It’s a massive challenge. Who knows? And then there’s the other
motorsports that I love like Rallycross as well. There are many things – but
Indy hasn’t been up there for me, for many different reasons.
Esteban?
EO: No, from myself, I don’t think Indy or Le Mans actually now I want to
do. I definitely want to focus on Formula One. Always been my goal to be
here and I want to be successful here in Formula One. So maybe in the future
but I’m even not sure I would want to do that in the future. I would be more
a rally driver if I retire. I want to try that.
Q: (Michael Schmidt – Auto Motor und Sport) Jenson, are you following what
Fernando is doing at Indy and will you watch the Indy 500 on Sunday?
JB: What time is it on? [6pm] Oh, yeah, I’m sure that I will. I watched when
he drove the car for the first time, which is always interesting, seeing a
driver’s reaction. Actually, probably it was more the reaction to the media
being right next to him every second that he was out of the car. That’s the
bit that I loved watching the most – because we all know how Fernando loves
the media so seeing his reaction to that was even better than seeing his
reaction to driving the car around the circuit. So yeah, it’s absolutely
mad, isn’t it, Indy, in terms of the media and how much attention it’s
getting – which is fantastic for the sport. I just want to see what Fernando
says when he gets back. But of course I have an interest. I’ve been
team-mates with Fernando for a couple of years and raced against Fernando
for many more years than that. It’s interesting to see how he does. Very
different type of motorsport. There’s a lot of talent out there, talented
drivers that have been doing that for so many years, so it’ll be interesting
to see how he gets on. Qualifying went pretty well and the race is obviously
something very, very different. Wheel-to-wheel around there, it’s pretty
mad. I wish him the best but the most important thing is that he stays safe,
which we’ve already talked about.
Q: (Leigh Diffey – NBC Sports) Jenson, if you haven’t already noticed, as
the weekend goes on you’ll see how much the paddock is enjoying you being
back…
JB: Thank you Sweetie!
…but for you, what’s it like being away from the paddock?
JB: It’s been amazing! Nothing against the paddock because it is great to be
back and it’s great to see you guys. This has been my world, it’s been my
life for so many years. You’re never going to just walk away and forget
about it. It’s a very special feeling for me being back here, seeing so many
friends and colleagues and what have you. It’s nice – but my life away from
Formula One has been pretty cool. So… very different. I’ve been spending a
lot of time in one place rather than traveling around the world and flying
three times a week and I’m in a very lucky position where I can do that. To
be fair, I’ve been busier than ever because I’ve been training really hard
for my passion, which is triathlons. I’m flat out with training, and picking
up dog poop, so it’s been busy, yeah.
EO: It’s good training for the biceps…
JB: It is very good! And I’ve seen on social media all winter, these guys
training so hard. I saw Daniel Ricciardo standing on a Swiss Ball with
something in his hands. Don’t know what use that is to a Formula One driver
– but it looked so cool. These guys flat out in the gym. Amazing. It’s
really good to see. The only thing I’m worried about is my neck but apart
from that it should be alright.
Q: (Joe Van Burik – De Telegraaf) Question to Nico. How would you rate the
power unit development process is going at Renault at the moment?
NH: I think that’s OK. The power unit took a big step forwards last year to
this year. I didn’t know it last year but that’s the feedback I have from
Renault and from talking to some of the drivers.I think there is still more
work to be done to close the gap to the Mercedes and Ferrari power units. We
get an upgrade in the next few races, so I think it’s pretty much on target.
Q: (Louis Dekker – NOS) For all drivers. This special circuit, what’s your
favourite corner – and Esteban, it can be a simulation corner.
JB: Favourite corner… it’s a tricky one around Monaco because it’s not just
about one, it’s difficult to pick one corner out. Tabac is pretty crazy.
Most of the corner here it’s easy-enough to pick out the apex and the exit
but Tabac is quick: very difficult to pick the apex and the exit. It’s very
tough with the barriers. If they were different colours maybe it would help.
Yeah, that’s the toughest. Also, from what I’ve heard with the cars this
year, Tabac and the Swimming Pool are the corners that are really going to
be a step above last year – and the entry to Casino. Slow-speed, maybe not
so much – but high speed is going to be pretty awesome.
NH: Yeah, Like Jenson says, it’s going to be difficult to name one corner. I
think it’s more about a few sequences. I really like down from Mirabeau,
through Loews corner and then the two right-handers into the tunnel. That’s
cool. And then, yeah Tabac and the Swimming Pool because it’s so fast and
it’s really… yeah pretty spectacular from inside the car. It’s always a
challenge every lap, so that’s fun too.
Esteban, which one are you looking forwards to?
EO: I think they said it: Swimming Pool and then the other right to left
just after that. I don’t know the names of the corners because I’m quite new
– but those four in combination. I like chicanes and those look really
demanding and challenging.
Q: (Phil Duncan – PA) Jenson, could I just ask your thoughts on the terror
attack in Manchester early this week and whether as a British driver you
plan to run any sort of tribute on your helmet or car his weekend.
JB: Obviously, it’s horrific. It’s amazing how often it seems to be
happening all around the world and more and more in Great Britain. So, yeah,
there aren’t many words for it really apart from my thoughts are with
everyone that’s been affected. The most heart-breaking thing… I mean every
life is important but with mostly kids going to the concert that’s what I
think hurts the most for everyone. I’m not a parent, but I know a lot of
people who are and I think that’s what hits home the most, how heartless
certain people can be. But it’s also been a pretty bad week for people we
know and respect in motorsport as well, and the cycling world, well the
triathlon world for me. So, it’s been tough with Nicky losing his fight over
the last the last few days – it just shows you how precious it is. You’ve
got to enjoy every moment. That’s it really.
Q: (Peter Farkas – Auto Motor) Nico, you have scored points in Barcelona
again but in terms of raw pace it wasn’t a really good weekend for Renault.
Have you identified the problems and also, in the slower corners the car
seemed to be a bit better than the fast ones. Does it bode well for Monaco
for you?
NH: I thought it was the opposite: fast ones are better for us than slow.
Anyway, I think it depends sometimes on the track, on the tyre. The pace on
the medium wasn’t great but we had track position and when you have that you
hang on to it. It’s just a matter of sometimes if you don’t hit the tyre in
the sweet spot, in the right temperature window you lose out on performance.
I think to some extent that’s what happened in Barcelona on the medium
compound. And then, during the harder compounds we seemed to be suffering a
bit more on those relative to softer compounds – so quite good that we have
softer ones here this weekend.
Q: (Jerome Pugmire – AP) Question for Esteban, the start you’ve had this
season, how does that make you feel about your potential in Formula One, do
you think you can get a podium this season? What is your view following your
start this season?
EO: Yeah, it is my personal target to get a podium at some point and I want
to have it as soon as possible. It makes me confident to have a great start
like this, this season, progressing all the time, feeling very well into the
team. The team welcomed me so well, working with them a lot at the factory
as well. I think we can achieve great things, y’know? All together. I look
forward to many more successful races like this and hopefully we can get a
podium this year.
Q: (inaudible) Jenson, you qualified for the triathlon World Championships.
What are your expectations regarding your triathlon career?
JB: I’m old! I think that’s my comments on that. I will always be amateur,
never a professional at a sport like that. There’s a lot of big talent
that’s British, which is great. The Brownlee brothers, Holly Lawrence, which
is great – but for me it is more about just pushing myself. I enjoy it a lot
and obviously I’m going to the World Championship – and if you’re going you
might as well aim to win it – and that’s my aim, as an age-grouper though,
not as a professional. That’s what all the hard work’s for this year.
Looking forward to that. It’s in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well so it
should be fun. |