The BMW Sauber duo of Jacques Villeneuve and Nick Heidfeld are looking forward to attacking the streets of Monte Carlo next weekend, whilst the glittering weekend marks the first taste of street racing in an F1 car for the team's young Polish test driver.

Heidfeld finished second at the Monaco Grand Prix last year for Williams but whatever the result, the German sees the race as always providing plenty of thrills for the driver and hopes for more success this year.

"The race in Monaco is without doubt one of the highlights of the season," stated Heidfeld. "Driving through the streets with the apartment blocks and buildings on either side is an extraordinary feeling. I finished second last year, but even if I hadn't got such a great result the race would still have been a lot of fun. Qualifying will be much trickier than in recent years, with a lot more cars out on the track at the same time."

Heidfeld's team-mate Villeneuve also enjoyed a good run last year at Monaco and the 1996 World Champion noted: "Monaco is a very exciting track to drive on and that is probably the track where we were the most competitive last year with Sauber. It is hard on the tyres because we go with very soft compounds. However, the car is normally quite easy on tyres."

As with many other drivers looking to improve on their season's form, Villeneuve cites the unpredictable nature of the Monte Carlo circuit as offering the chance of a good result for BMW Sauber.

"This GP is a race where anything can happen," added Villeneuve, "you can start last and still get on the podium. There was a year when only four cars finished. There's always a lot of excitement around Monaco and I think we can probably do quite well there."

BMW Sauber's test driver Robert Kubica will be looking forward to hitting the track at Monaco and the event will mark the young Pole's first time on a street circuit in a Formula One car.

"Monaco will be something special for me because this is my first time on a street circuit with a Formula One car," confirmed Kubica. "I like street circuits, though, and in the past I have performed really well in places like Monaco and Macau.

"I think I've raced on six or seven street tracks," added Kubica, "but my race performance isnt an issue this year, I just need to do a proper job on Thursday. This will not be easy as the track will have very little grip, but I hope I'll be able to help my two team mates a bit."