Historic Race Gives Yoong a Boost

Malaysian Alex Yoong was almost a winner at the weekend but he can expect a return to normality in Sunday's Monaco Formula One Grand Prix.

The Minardi driver, who failed to qualify for the San Marino Grand Prix this season and is a regular at the rear of the grid, led for nine of 10 laps in a race for historic cars in Monaco on Sunday.

Yoong lost out only when his 1971 Lotus became stuck in fifth gear while touring behind the safety car and was overtaken by a 1977 Tyrrell. He said the experience would stand him in good stead when he drives a modern Formula One car on the street circuit for the first time this week.

"I actually found the circuit itself smoother and wider than I imagined, which means you can attack it quite forcefully in places," he said in a team preview on Monday.

"Physically the race shouldn't be too bad but mentally, I'm sure it will be the toughest of the season. The concentration needed for just one lap is tremendous, but to keep that up for over 90 minutes is, I'm sure, going to be quite draining.

"Certainly the experience I had racing on the circuit this past weekend is going to help."