For a racing driver the Monaco street circuit can be exhilarating or cruel depending on how your luck is running as George Russell found out in the latest round of the FIA Formula Two Championship supporting the Monaco Grand Prix.
The Norfolk racer headed to the street circuit buoyant after the previous round of the series, when he took his first Feature race win, which had lifted him back into the title race.
However, misfortune struck almost immediately in the first practice session with an engine problem hitting the Mercedes Formula One reserve driver.
'Certainly not the Monaco Free Practice I had hoped for,' said Russell. 'Engine blew up during my warm up lap. Tough task ahead to learn these streets in one 15 minute qualifying session, but I'm ready for the challenge.'
With limited running Russell, on a track which he had never raced upon, struggled and finished up towards the back of his group.
'After a total of four flying laps of Monaco, we qualified just over one second from pole, unfortunately only P9 in group. That's racing and I don't believe there is much more we could've done considering the circumstances.'
The race didn't go any better for Russell as he crashed out while trying to make up places. 'Apologies to the team, misjudged my braking point going for that move and ended up in the wall,' admitted Russell after the race.
Race Two ended in the same way with Russell colliding with the barriers. 'Weekend to forget,' admitted a somewhat downcast local racer.
The 1990 Le Mans 24 Hour race winner Martin Brundle has agreed to share an Aston Martin Vantage GT4 car with Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy in a support race to this year's French endurance classic.
'I'd never miss a chance to race on the full Le Mans circuit, I love that track,' said King's Lynn resident Brundle, who had planned to be at the venue supporting son Alex, who will be racing a LMP1 Manor prepared Ginetta in the main event.
'The competition looks strong so I'll be seeking plenty of advice from Alex who races an Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 around Europe.'
The elder Brundle has recent experience of racing on the Le Mans circuit when he started the 2016 Road to Le Mans race from pole position and ended up finishing in second place with team mate Christian England.
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