Racing on a street circuit is a very different experience than competing on a bespoke road course. From the road surface to corner design, most street circuits are built around tarmac that wasn’t originally intended to be used for high speed race events.

“I’ve always really enjoyed them,” says Sam Bird, Formula E driver for Virgin Racing. “I treat them with respect, and I build up to being very fast.” That last part is particularly important, because street circuits, with their typical lack of run-off space, offer virtually no margin of error – overshoot a turn and you’ll more likely be greeted by a wall than a pleasant roll through some grass. Or in the case of the streets of Monte Carlo, you might just be taking a trip directly into the bay.

Cruising around the course on a typically beautiful day in Monaco, Bird offers some insight into his strategies for specific corners, including high speed sections where he turns in early and uses understeer to push the car out to where he wants it on the racing line in order to set the car up for the subsequent section.

Bird also takes a moment to discuss his background with the Virgin Racing team and how Formula E is evolving, stating that he considers the grid for the upcoming race to be among the finest in motorsport outside of Formula One. And while he’s looking forward to racing at this legendary circuit in Monaco again on May 9th, it’s the season finale in his hometown of London that still remains his favorite on the calendar.