Total focus is required for Russian Formula One driver Vitaly Petrov to stand any chance of success for the Caterham team at the Monaco Grand Prix, he said Thursday.
Monaco’s narrow streets and ever-present crash barriers ensure a high rate of retirements at the circuit, which has been part of the F1 calendar every year since 1955.
“It takes quite a bit of mental preparation and you need to be totally focused for every single lap of every session,” Petrov said in comments on the team’s website.
Unlike the vast run-off areas seen at most newer circuits, Monaco will offer no second chances for careless drivers at the race May 27, Petrov said.
“It’s tricky because the walls are so close. If you make one mistake or have a little bit of oversteer, you don’t even get a chance to correct it - you’re in the wall.”
Petrov’s highest finish this season is 16th in Malaysia and Bahrain, and he was 17th in Spain on Sunday, a far cry from his best finish of third in Australia in 2011 while at Lotus Renault.
