Lapierre, more than most, has a point to prove this weekend, having been taken out of the 2006 race - and the middle part of the season - by a start-line shunt that also caused injury to fellow countrymen Olivier Pla and Tristan Gommendy. Another series veteran, Giorgio Pantano, has called for calm on Saturday following the shunts that have marred the opening rounds of 2007, but it remains to be seen whether his words will be heeded when the adrenaline begins to flow into Ste Devote.
Others, however, will hope that the usual rate of attrition will allow them a glimpse of the points, with DPR's Andy Soucek no exception.
“DPR were very competitive in qualifying and the race last year, so the set-up information and data should help us," the Spanish World Series veteran said, "We've had four tough races so far and we really need to change it around. I'm going to be aiming high for Monaco.
“It's quite a difficult track, with the walls very close to you at times, but I did enjoy it. We have two practice sessions this weekend so that will be good for us, and we should be able to use it to our advantage to score our first points.”
With just the one race on the streets of the Principality, the Monaco winner can savour his victory perhaps more than at any other venue. The individual event also allows for a slightly tweak in the timetable, with an extra half-hour of practice on Thursday, before the usual Friday combination of practice and qualifying. With only an hour between sessions, a millimetre mistake could end the weekend before it's even begun. Saturday sees business as usual with the 45-lap race following F1 qualifying.
As in 2006, all sessions will be run on Bridgestone's soft compound slicks. On a track whose characteristics change, not just by the day, but by the minute, grip on the narrow streets is essential and, on top of the levels of adhesion created by the Bridgestone rubber, the new 2007 aero kit will also be called on for increased levels of downforce.
It's the only race at which the softest tyre is used - indeed, practice on Thursday will be the first time this season that drivers will use the soft compound, so those who contested the event last year should have an advantage.
“It is very difficult for drivers to overtake on the narrow circuit, so qualifying is important," Bridgestone's Hirohide Hamashima noted, "The drivers need to start from a strong position on the grid to have a good chance in the race, but driver concentration is also essential as the circuit is known for its limited amount of run-off area. Monaco should, as always, provide an interesting race for fans - and the tyres.”
