By Jamie Makin
May 19 2005

Despite failing to finish three out of eight starts in Monte Carlo, Jacques Villeneuve is excited about this weekend's race. "I’ve been looking forward to racing in Monaco for weeks!" exclaimed Villeneuve. "It’s a great circuit and just the kind of challenge I like." The tight confines of the city streets don't intimidate the veteran driver and he seems to embrace the difficulties the streets provide. "As far as the Monaco race itself goes it's a tough one. The circuit is really twisty and bumpy and it takes it toll, especially on your arms, because of all the tight turns," Villeneuve said. "Most of the corners are blind so you have to take a leap of faith and hope nothing has happened on the track in front of you. I read that someone once said it's like 'riding a bicycle in your living room' and they weren't wrong!"

The SAUBER PETRONAS team have struggled so far this season but have showed some improvement since the return to Europe. "Our car was very good in Imola, and even though Spain was a disappointment my tyres were great the whole race in Barcelona," explained Villeneuve. "We will be able to get away with running softer compounds in Monaco, so I’m looking forward to being able to fight hard there."

Except for a lucky break in the weather in Melbourne, Villeneuve has struggled in qualifying and found himself starting in the lower half of the grid. This is something that he and the team will work hard to improve the weekend.

"Qualifying is very important here as it is extremely difficult to overtake during the race. If you are further down the grid at the start, the pit-stops play an important part in making up positions. It's a very exciting track but there is no room for error. You can't make any mistakes because you are surrounded by guard rails instead of kerbs and grass and there are no run-off areas. This brings new stress levels psychologically which do not happen at any other races."

Villeneuve is ready to face this "stress" though and eagerly awaits the weekend's race.

Jacques Villeneuve - Results for Monaco GP:

YEAR	QUAL	RACE	COMMENTS
2003	11	DNF	Engine Failure
2002	14	DNF	Mechanical Failure
2001	9	4	-
2000	17	7	-
1999	8	DNF	Oil Leak
1998	13	5	-
1997	3	DNF	Spun off
1996	10	DNF	Collision