Podium return is Monaco F2 target for Louis

Switzerland’s Louis Delétraz will return to FIA Formula 2 Championship action on Monaco’s legendary streets this weekend, bidding to repeat his thrilling podium success at the venue in 2018.

The Carlin Racing driver was one of the standout performers on the tight and twisty 3.33km Circuit de Monaco last season as he battled his way to a P4 finish in the Feature Race and P2 in Saturday’s Sprint encounter.

“I’m very happy to be back in Monaco for what is always the most amazing race of the season,” he said. “I had very strong pace there last year and that translated into two good results for me. I’m excited to see what’s possible this weekend.”

Louis is a big fan of racing on street circuits and Monaco is one of his favourites due to its electric atmosphere and the unique challenge that the 19-turn track poses to both man and machine.

Success is normally dependent on a fruitful practice session and then a strong performance in qualifying – the outcome of which determines the grid for Friday’s Feature Race.

“Overtaking is especially hard on this track so it’s vital that you have a grid position close to the front,” the ADSS-supported driver explained.

“There are maybe only three places where you can overtake. The first is at Turn One with DRS, but that’s pretty hard, and then there’s the exit of the tunnel into the new chicane and possibly at ‘La Rascasse’.

“In any of these places, you need to brake very late and commit to the move 100%. If you don’t, you will be out of the race very quickly. It’s a track that everyone needs to respect.”

Louis is hoping he can find the same level of confidence that he enjoyed in 2018 so he can return to point-scoring form before the F2 calendar embarks on a month-long break from competitive action.

He said: “If you can be consistent, confident, at one with the car and don’t make any mistakes, there’s no better feeling than driving at Monaco.

“Standing on the podium in P2 last year was fantastic but all of my hard work and that of the team in the lead up to this weekend has been for one goal: to try and win. That’s the absolute target.”

 

RACE RESULTS