"A childhood dream" - Formula 3 field preview Monaco Grand Prix
Teams and drivers have shared their excitement as the FIA Formula 3 championship heads to Monaco for the first time.
The FIA Formula 3 field hits the track in Monaco for the first time ever this weekend. (Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)
Australian Hugh Barter is one of the many drivers who are racing in the principality for the first time, while a handful of others visited previously in the Formula Regional European series.
For Barter, it is a childhood dream come true.
“Really looking forward to this weekend.”
“Driving at Monaco is something you dream of as a kid so to be here so early in my dream is surreal.”
“It’s a track that none of the teams have been to in FIA F3 so everyone will be trying to learn as much as possible in the FP but we had good pace as a team in the tests and obviously it’s going to be different driving at a street circuit but I am confident that we will be able to carry that pace to this round.
“Let’s see what happens.”
His Campos Racing teammate Pepe Marti is also making his Monte Carlo debut this weekend.
Marti has proved the team is competitive on pace, but it has been a while now since he took to the top step of the podium in Bahrain.
“I am really looking forward to racing in Monaco, it will be a first experience for me in street circuits so I’m extremely excited,” said the Spaniard.
“After the cancelled Imola GP I am even more energized and ready to get going.”
“Can’t wait to hit the track on Thursday and get a feel for what the principality is like.”
Others were simply excited to hit the track after the previous round in Imola was cancelled due to the extreme flooding in the region.
“It’s time to hit the streets,” said Australian Christian Mansell.
“So keen to get on track and feel the Monaco magic.”
One driver who did visit last year with the European series was Oliver Goethe.
“It’s such a unique place,” said the Trident driver.
“It’s a very small country and it’s really nice, the track is amazing. I can’t wait to drive there this year. Driving there in Formula Regional was amazing last year, the results weren’t great in 2021 but this year I’m confident it can be a lot better.
“It’s such a cool track, it’s probably the only one with a tunnel that I’ll be driving at. The swimming pool chicane is really fast, I enjoy the whole thing.”
Despite the excitement, the track is narrow and complicated, making it difficult to pass and ensuring that the most competitive session of the weekend will likely be qualifying, underway at 7.10pm on Friday (AEST) with the field split into two groups.
"Overtaking is not the easiest,” said Goethe.
“If you pressure the person in front into a mistake then it’s possible. I’d say the best places are under braking after the tunnel and then Rascasse. We’ve seen some nice moves there in the past but anywhere will do!”
“It’s a bit of a home race for me, I grew up and go to school there still to this day. All my friends will be watching along with my family which will be really cool. I also get to sleep at home which is nice!”
After qualifying, the sprint race is underway at 7.00pm on Saturday (AEST) before the feature race at 4.00pm on Sunday ahead of the grand prix.
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