From the relatively mundane Circuit de Catalunya, the
Formula One circus moves onto the far more glamorous surroundings Monte Carlo for the always spectacular Monaco Grand Prix.
With the tight street circuit layout having changed little over the years, the Monaco Grand Prix is the jewel in the F1 crown, rewarding the brave and punishing those who step outside its limited confines.
It is a race that every driver wants to win but, if recent form is anything to go by, it seems this year's race will be down to just two drivers. Indeed,
Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher have indulged in a thrilling battle over the previous three races, leaving their rivals in their wake and it seems the duo will be invigorating that tussle once again for round seven of the championship.
Having seen Alonso romp away to victory in front of his adoring fans in Spain, Schumacher is eager to close the gap on his rival on a circuit that has served him well over the years.
At the same time though Monaco has thrown up its fair share of surprise results over the years, meaning a clear cut winner is arguably harder to predict here than at any other grand prix through the year.
With a regularly high attrition rate, this could be the best chance of the year for lesser heroes to make an impression in the points and this is a situation that is expected to be exacerbated by the new qualifying system that is likely to favour those who can find a clear piece of track and with drivers expecting that to be very difficult, Monaco could herald a very unpredictable grid.
Whatever the grid and whatever the result though, the race in between promises to live up to its reputation as one of the most exciting of the season.
FIA F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS:
The two-week gap between the Spanish and Monaco Grand Prix has been a relatively quiet one with the majority of teams taking the time to conduct some tests ahead of a gruelling European summer of racing.
Nonetheless, the driver merry-go-round continues unabated with the pendulum swinging towards Valentino Rossi once again, the Italian having been linked to a seat in the Ferrari-powered
Red Bull before confirming a week later that he is not ready to join
Formula One as soon as 2007.
