FIA F3000 International Championship.
Round 5. Monaco, Monte Carlo.
Race preview. 

MEAN STREETS. 

Round five of the FIA F3000 International Championship takes place at the hardest circuit on the 2002 race calendar – Monaco. This will be the toughest race of the season for the Coca-Cola Nordic Racing team as the tight and narrow Armco lined streets offer little forgiveness for any driver who pushes his car a little too hard.  

Coca-Cola Nordic Racing drivers Zsolt Baumgartner and Ryan Briscoe are both new to the Monaco experience, although both shall be trying as hard as possible to qualify their cars as near to the front of the grid as possible. The demanding street circuit commands respect at all times from any driver, experienced or not, but to stand any chance of a decent finish in the race, the drivers must push as hard as they can to qualify as high as possible. With overtaking at Monaco almost impossible, the higher the grid position the better. 

Team Manager Chris Mower commented: “ Our experience of Monaco in the past has taught us that damage will usually occur in qualifying which will jeopardise grid position and result in valuable loss of track time. However this year we have 2 young talented drivers who are keen to take advice so I am hoping this will not happen.” 

Team Principal Derek Mower added: “Ryan and Zsolt are both preparing for this race and are aware of the unique track conditions such as manhole covers, varying asphalt surfaces, painted lines and oil from everyday road car use amongst others, I am sure they are keen to give a good account of themselves” 

The race shall be shown live on Eurosport at 16:00hrs CET.