Monaco GP: Toro Rosso race report

ONE IN THE POINTS, ONE IN THE WALL

Sebastien Bourdais
(STR4-01)
Pos.8th

"It feels good to score points here, at what can be considered my home grand prix as there is no French race. The team worked really hard today. I felt that, again, I hadn't done a good job in qualifying, so, I can be happy to finish P8, given the small number of incidents today. It's another point which is important: it's not enough, but it's better than nothing! The car performed consistently, especially on the Prime tyre although the balance wasn't perfect. Then, on the Options I tried to look after them as I'd had trouble with them on Thursday. I managed the situation, as the car was moving more and I had some degradation. Once I got ahead of my direct rivals and there was no one within reach in front of me, I settled into a rhythm, concentrating on bringing the car home. I had several tricky moments, but that's what street racing is about. It was a fun race, with the satisfaction of scoring a point starting 14th. If I can improve in qualifying in the coming races, then maybe we can hope for more, starting in Istanbul."

Sebastien Buemi
(STR4-03)
Retired

"I didn't have a perfect start and I lost a position to Piquet, but it was not going too badly. Then I just tried to overtake him, as with Vettel slowing everyone down on the Option tyre, I thought this might be my only chance to get back ahead of him. I was right up behind Piquet, in his slipstream and when I tried to pull out and make my move he went on the brakes and I could not get out from behind him, so I ended up pushing him all the way into the first corner. I am sorry about this and I went and apologized to him."

Franz Tost: "After scoring points here last year, it seems that Monaco suits us, as once again the ball in the Roulette wheel fell in the Red. Buemi's start wasn't bad, but he got passed by Piquet. Our car had the potential to be faster, but as usual at this track, you end up in the barriers if you don't have the discipline to wait a little bit. But, in Buemi's defence, he did a really good job in qualifying and I see today's incident as another step in his learning process. I am really happy for Bourdais, who drove a fantastically good race, picking up a point that is very important for him and the team. This result is good for his self- confidence for the next few races. Well done to the strategy crew, led by Laurent Mekies. They changed the strategy a few times during the race and it turned out to be the correct choice."

-credit: toro rosso