GRAND PRIX DE MONACO RACE STANDING

Pos	Driver	Team	Laps	Timing
1	Nico Rosberg	Mercedes	78	1:49:27.661
2	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	78	+9.2 secs
3	Daniel Ricciardo	Red Bull Racing-Renault	78	+9.6 secs
4	Fernando Alonso	Ferrari	78	+32.4 secs
5	Nico Hulkenberg	Sahara Force India-Mercedes	77	+1 Lap
6	Jenson Button	McLaren-Mercedes	77	+1 Lap
7	Felipe Massa	Williams-Mercedes	77	+1 Lap
8	Romain Grosjean	Lotus-Renault	77	+1 Lap
9	Jules Bianchi	Marussia-Ferrari	77	+1 Lap
10	Kevin Magnussen	McLaren-Mercedes	77	+1 Lap
11	Marcus Ericsson	Caterham-Renault	77	+1 Lap
12	Kimi Raikkonen	Ferrari	77	+1 Lap
13	Kamui Kobayashi	Caterham-Renault	75	+3 Laps
14	Max Chilton	Marussia-Ferrari	75	+3 Laps
Ret	Esteban Gutierrez	Sauber-Ferrari	59	+19 Laps
Ret	Valtteri Bottas	Williams-Mercedes	55	+23 Laps
Ret	Jean-Eric Vergne	STR-Renault	50	+28 Laps
Ret	Adrian Sutil	Sauber-Ferrari	23	+55 Laps
Ret	Daniil Kvyat	STR-Renault	10	+68 Laps
Ret	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull Racing-Renault	5	+73 Laps
Ret	Sergio Perez	Sahara Force India-Mercedes	0	+78 Laps
DNS	Pastor Maldonado	Lotus-Renault	0	+78 Laps

Monaco GP: The Story of the Race

   

26 May 2014


Monaco is an unforgiving track, where every mistake is punished and only the best performances rewarded. To come away with a brilliant fifth place - equalling our best ever result in the Principality - is a great conclusion to the weekend. It was not, however, an easy result to obtain. It required hard work and the dogged tenacity of the whole team, testament to the continued good start of our 2014 season.

Our drivers started in 10th and 11th following Saturday's qualifying, and the start saw them switch positions, with Nico edging Checo in the opening stages of the lap. Sergio's race, however, was destined to be short-lived. A contact with an over-enthusiastic Jenson Button at turn 5 sent our car number 11 spinning and into the barriers - the cruel law of Monaco, with no run-off meaning even the smallest contact can be race-ending.

Nico survived the first lap unscathed and set about to make a different strategy from the rest of the field work. Mounting soft tyres instead of everyone else's choice of supersofts - an upside of starting outside the top 10 - he was able to control the field behind him and capitalise on Sebastian Vettel and Daniil Kvyat's retirements to go up to P8.

The second safety car, called in for Adrian Sutil's crash, threatened to put in jeopardy our strategy: with only one stop planned, Nico was required to make the supersoft tyre last an ambitious 51 laps. Even considering the VJM07's soft touch on tyres, it was going to be a big ask of the driver: it was, however, one that Nico took on eagerly, producing one of the best overtakes of the season, on the inside of the Portier corner - not a typical spot for passes - on McLaren's Kevin Magnussen.

Having gained P5 after Massa's stop, Nico had to resist the assault of cars mounting tyres in much better conditions for the last 20 laps. With Magnussen first and Button then threateningly showing in his mirrors, Nico was able to keep his cool and cross the line in fifth for a total ten points - a haul that would have surely been bigger for the team had Checo still been part of the race.

Meet the SFI Family: Samantha Groombridge

27 May 2014

Senior Aerodynamic Design Engineer Samantha Groombridge plays a big part in the creation of our cars. Get to know her and her work in the latest instalment of our "Meet the SFI Family" series!

How would you sum up your job and how does that help the team move forward?

The role of a design engineer in the aerodynamic department is very varied: each day is always different than the last and the challenges are never the same. We use a very powerful Computer Aided Design package to enable us to work with aerodynamicists to get the shapes they need into the computer. If you run your fingers over the full-size race car, every shape you touch has been defined by an aerodynamic design engineer.

How long have you been a member of the Sahara Force India Family?

I joined the team in June 2010 and immediately knew I had come home. The four years since then have flown by: there have been some great cars, such as the VJM05 that went on to claim a massive 109-points haul; the VJM06 as the first 'evolution' and now the VJM07 with its panther looks, distinctive nose and already a podium to boot.

Most people within our team have always been passionate about Formula One; how did you end up working in the sport?

I grew up watching Formula One with my dad, sitting on the sofa on a Sunday afternoon. When I was just 16, I was lucky enough to find myself at Spa for a Sportscar race and was allowed to sit in a Lister Storm: that was the moment when I really discovered my passion for motorsport. I went on to do a degree in Automotive Engineering at the University of Hertfordshire and from there to become a data engineer for a Le Mans team. I achieved my F1 dream in 2006, becoming a junior design engineer in an F1 Aerodynamic department. Sahara Force India is my second F1 team and I have now been in the sport for eight and a half years.

What is your favourite Sahara Force India moment?

We have many favourite moments in the design office: when data comes in confirming a gain, when an idea solves a design problem, when we all come together as a team to overcome a particular challenge. These are the little victories that give us the momentum to push that bit harder and, truthfully, those are my favourite. These are the moments that add up to the big highlights everyone else remembers - the Brazil 2012s and the Bahrain 2014s.

Which are the most challenging parts of your work?

Being the conduit between aerodynamicist and computer is one of the trickiest bits. We have to help the aerodynamicist realise the thought that is in their head and we have to be able to interpret different forms of input - from data tables to drawings to verbal discussions - and turn them into the shape that is required, quickly, efficiently and, most importantly, modifiably - just in case the aero guys say 'yes... like that... but different'!

Away from the Team HQ, what's big in the life of Sam?

I have recently become a home owner and have discovered the power of a paint brush - when you have a challenging work/life balance somehow painting the spare room can become even more rewarding!

Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco: Race Report

25 May 2014

Sahara Force India scored ten points today as Nico Hülkenberg finished in fifth place on the streets of Monaco. Sergio Perez was out of luck as he was eliminated on lap one following a collision at turn five.

P5 Nico Hülkenberg VJM07-04

Tyre strategy: New Softs (26 laps) - New SuperSofts (51 laps)

Nico: "Ten points today is a great reward after such a difficult race. The last twenty laps were really tricky because my supersoft tyres were at the end of their life and it was hard to hold off the cars behind me and stay away from the barriers. There were a few close moments when I kissed the wall, but I survived and managed to hold on to fifth place. Fortunately my car was quick in the right places - going into the tunnel and also through the final corner. There were some enjoyable moments in the race, especially my move on Magnussen. He had to let the Toro Rosso back through and he lost a bit of momentum so I saw my opportunity to stick my nose down the inside of turn eight. On a track like Monaco it gives you a big smile to make the move stick."

DNF Sergio Perez VJM07-02

Tyre strategy: Used Super Softs (1 lap)

Sergio: "I was in a battle with Nico, who was ahead, and I went to take the apex normally. I was on the racing line and ahead of Jenson [Button] when he clipped my rear wheel and spun me around into the barriers. I did not expect him to be there as there wasn't really any space for another car there. It was very unlucky. As a racing driver you have good and bad Sundays but this is definitely one I want to forget as soon as possible. It is disappointing that we lost a big chance to score a good amount of points, but the car felt much better here than in Spain, as shown by Nico's result. This is a very positive signal looking ahead to Montreal."

Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director

"Today's race equals our best ever result in Monaco, so I am obviously very pleased about Nico's performance. He drove a very clean and strong race, and was able to withstand incredible pressure in the last 20 laps to finish fifth despite being on very old tyres. He also pulled off one of the best overtaking moves of this season, so I think he will remember this day for a long time. Unfortunately, today also saw some disappointment as Checo was punted into the barrier on lap one. I am confident he would have been firmly in the fight to score big points as well, but I'm also sure he will bounce back immediately. Our pace looked really strong which is a good sign as we prepare for the next race in Canada."

Our team Test Driver - DANIEL JUNCADELLA

DANIEL JUNCADELLA



A winner of both the Macau Grand Prix and the Masters at Zandvoort, two of the most prestigious Formula Three races, Daniel Juncadella earned a promotion to DTM following a stunning 2012 season in which he won every championship he entered.

Daniel hails from a family with a proud motorsport pedigree, his uncle Luis Perez-Sala being a former Formula One point-scorer for Minardi and team principal of the HRT team.
In 2013, Daniel got his first experience at the wheel of a Formula One car when he tested for Williams in the Young Drivers Test in Silverstone, setting the fifth fastest time of the day.

Date Of Birth             - 7 May 1991 (22)

Car Number              -

Born                          - Barcelona, Spain

Lives In                     - Barcelona, Spain

Weight                      - 72kg

Height                       - 1.79m

Marital Status            - Single

2013      16th, DTM

2012      Champion, Formula Three Euro Series, five wins, five poles, six podiums
              Champion, FIA European Formula 3 Championship, five wins, five poles, five podiums
              Winner, Masters of Formula 3

2011      3rd, Formula Three Euro Series, four wins, four poles, 14 podiums
              3rd, FIA Formula 3 International Trophy, one win, two podiums
              Winner, Macau Grand Prix

2010      8th, Formula Three Euro Series, one win, one pole, three podiums
              14th, GP3 Series, one podium

2009      2nd, Formula BMW Europe, one win, seven podiums

2008      4th, Formula BMW Europe, two wins, four poles, five podiums

2007      2nd, Master Formula Junior, seven wins, 13 fastest laps

VJM07's Technical Specification

Name:	VJM07
Chassis:	Carbon fibre composite monocoque with Zylon side anti-intrusion panels.
Front Suspension:	Aluminium alloy uprights with carbon fibre composite wishbones, trackrod and pushrod. Inboard chassis mounted torsion springs, dampers and anti-roll bar assembly.
Rear Suspension:	Aluminium alloy uprights with carbon fibre composite wishbones, trackrod and pullrod. Inboard gearbox mounted torsion springs, dampers and anti-roll bar assembly.
Wheels :	Motegi Racing forged wheels to Sahara Force India specification
Engine Supplier:	Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains V6 Turbo 1.6-litre
KERS:	Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains
Transmission:	Mercedes AMG F1 8-speed, semi-automatic seamless shift
Lubricants:	Petronas
Tyres:	Pirelli
Brake System:	AP Racing
Brake Material:	Carbon disc and pads
Dampers:	Penske

Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco: Qualifying

24 May 2014

Qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix took place under glorious sunshine with Sahara Force India's Sergio Perez making it into Q3 and securing a tenth place starting slot for tomorrow's race, one place ahead of teammate Nico Hülkenberg.

P10 Sergio Perez VJM07-02

Q1: 1:18.108   Q2: 1:17.755   Q3: 1:18.327

Sergio: "Although it's good to be in the top ten, I'm feeling a bit disappointed not to be higher up the grid. My hot lap in Q3 was quite difficult and I had a lock-up going into the Nouvelle Chicane - so there was definitely more speed in the car. One of the main challenges was getting the tyres in the perfect working condition and I don't think we maximised that today. We need to look at ways to make up positions tomorrow and we should be aggressive with our strategy because I don't think there will be too many overtaking opportunities. Hopefully it will be an interesting race."

P11 Nico Hülkenberg VJM07-04

Q1: 1:18.432   Q2: 1:17.856

Nico: "A place in Q3 was very close today - less than a tenth away - but I'm not feeling too disappointed because I was pretty happy with my lap in Q2. There was just a tiny bit missing because it's very hard to get a perfect lap in Monaco. The traffic management by the team was good and although I had some traffic in both Q1 and Q2, it was not at the crucial moments. Starting from P11 with an extra set of fresh tyres gives us a good chance of scoring points tomorrow. It's a long race and we have to be ready to react quickly with the strategy to try and gain some positions. We also expect more cloud cover tomorrow and there is even a chance of rain."

Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director

"Qualifying in Monaco is crucial and starting the race in P10 and P11 is not a bad result, all things considered. Sergio produced a good effort to make it into Q3, but it was a pity Nico missed out, although he will at least have an extra set of new tyres for tomorrow. Our starting positions mean both drivers have a very good opportunity to race for points. In all the sessions so far we have seen the cars around us having a similar pace to ours, which means making the right strategic calls will be the key to gaining positions tomorrow."