Hulkenberg gunning for change of fortune in Monaco

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Despite his seventh place finish in the season-opener Australian Grand Prix, Force India's Nico Hulkenberg doesn't have much to show yet in terms of results this season.

The German, and his team, appeared as possible dark horses during pre-season testing but it just hasn't come to fruition yet for the pair, despite a major upgrade on the evolution front which was implemented in Spain.

Hulkenberg still feels competitive however, and puts the lackluster results to date more on bad luck than on any real performance slump. At one of the rare venues where a drive can outperform his mount, Hulkenberg will be looking for a good result next weekend in the Principality.

"Monaco is one of the best weeks of the year. The track, the location, the schedule – it has all the things that make Formula 1 such a great sport.

"This will be my sixth Monaco Grand Prix, but I will still feel a huge buzz when I walk into the paddock on Wednesday morning and see everything taking shape.

“The challenge of the track is good fun and very demanding. You build your speed with each session and by the time you get to qualifying you need to be right at the limit.

"When you walk the track you can’t believe that we actually race there because it’s so narrow. You need to be incredibly precise because you can’t afford even the smallest mistake.

"Mentally it’s very tough because it’s corner after corner and there’s never a moment when you can relax - even for a second.

Like many F1 drivers, Monte-Carlo is also where Nico Hulkenberg has chosen to live, the glitzy backdrop and surroundings will therefore provide him with a familiar sight, and perhaps an extra boost of motivation as he competes at home.

"Monaco is one of my home races and I’m hoping that my luck will start to change this weekend. Sometimes you have a spell of unlucky races and there’s nothing you can do about it – that’s the way I look back on Russia and Spain.

"You have to put them out of your mind and move on. Monaco is a fresh start and I’m already smiling at the thought of driving around such a fantastic lap."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.