• Monaco Grand Prix

Monaco harder than ever in 2014 - Perez

ESPN Staff
May 21, 2014 « Limited scope for making cars louder - Renault | Sauber still struggling despite weight reduction - Sutil »
Sergio Perez has failed to score a point in three attempts at Monaco © Sutton Images
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Sergio Perez thinks the characteristics of the 2014 generation of F1 cars means there is more room than ever before for driver error at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Under the new regulations the cars have reduced downforce and increased torque, while Pirelli's tyres are harder compounds than in previous years. With an increased challenge for the drivers around one of F1's most unforgiving circuits, Perez says there is even more chance of one mistake ruining the entire weekend.

"It will be very interesting to see how we go around here," Perez said. "I think you are going to see more driver mistakes and errors, I expect the driver can make a little bit more of a difference than normal. It can go either that way or we will see Mercedes then Red Bull, those teams, at the front. I think the driver can make a bit more difference here. It will be a very interesting Monaco, more than any other year.

"In a way the approach doesn't change, you still want to drive the car to its limits and of course you don't want to make a mistake because they are so expensive in Monaco. You either lose free practice or qualifying, so it's very important not to do anything."

Perez believes the reduced downforce will mean there is no let up for the drivers at any point on the circuit this year.

"I think it will be difficult everywhere, there's not one section where it will be less difficult. It will be tough because the compounds are harder, there's a lot of torque, and if you look at the downforce you maybe can compare it to what we ran at Monza last year, so it's very, very low, and the rear gets very light on braking and on power."

Last year at Monaco Perez's race was punctuated with incidents with Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and then-team-mate Jenson Button, but he insists he will not shy away from a gung-ho approach if it's necessary again this year.

"Last year I was with McLaren and dreaming of impossible positions. I was going into a period of frustration and was just trying to get us as much positions as I possibly could, I saw the opportunity and was always trying to get the most I could. Every overtaking move here is difficult and risky, it just depends on the amount of risk I want to take on Sunday or not."

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