Salo Hoping for Points to Celebrate 100th GP Start

Finn Mika Salo is aiming to score more points at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix to celebrate his 100th Formula One start in style.

35-year old Salo, driving for the Toyota team in their debut season, has already given the Japanese squad their first two points after finishing sixth at the Australian and Brazilian Grands Prix.

Salo, who has previously raced for Lotus, Tyrrell, Arrows, BAR, Ferrari and Sauber, is hoping for another top six finish on Sunday.

"One hundred races - that must make me very old," joked Salo. "To be honest, it feels more like 10. It's nice that I celebrate my 100th in Monaco because this is a race that I really enjoy.

"The track is very challenging and the driver can still make a real difference, even with all the electronics that we have on the cars these days. Our TF102 isn't ideally suited to Monaco but, if we can get to the end of the race, then we should be in with a chance of a points finish."

Salo has finished in the points four times at the Principality, and though he admits the tight street circuit is one of his favourite tracks, he reckons it's hard to cope with the mental and physical requirements of Monte Carlo.

"The most important thing about Monaco is not to hit anything - not even on the first day," he said. "If you hit something early on in the weekend, it's hard to get the momentum back. There are lots of tricky places on the lap, where you have to be careful: the entry and exit of Casino Square, the chicane, and the Swimming Pool is very quick.

"The thing about Monaco is that every corner counts and, for a driver, there is no time to rest. That makes for a long 78 laps on race day."