This weekend, the Grand Prix circus arrives at Monaco, one of the most evocative places on the circuit.

Although F1 would clearly not be the same without the race through streets of the small Principality of Monte Carlo, many feel that the historic value of the race should not be the only reason to hold a race here. I am of the opinion that modern F1 cars are far too fast (and fragile) for the confines of this street circuit, and we would perhaps be better served with a new circuit elsewhere.

Still, the unpredictable race always holds masses of surprises and is entertaining to watch.

A lap of Monte Carlo Grand Prix circuit

The cars cross the finish line flat out, reaching around 165 mph before braking hard for the 2nd gear Sainte Devote corner. Whilst the entry is tight, there is plenty of run off if things go wrong and things usually do in the first lap of the race. After this, it is hard back on the power in the run up the hill (Beau Rivage) reaching around 160mph before the drivers have to stand on the anchors to slow for the 80 mph Massenet, which in turn leads into the 70mph Casino corner and the start of the downhill section of the circuit.

Hard on the power, avoiding the bump on the road on the exit of Casino, touching 130mph and 4th gear before slowing for Mirabeau. From here there is a short spurt up to one of the two 1st gear corners at the track, the famous, Loews hairpin. Even though this is not a hard corner, many drivers have been punted off by over-enthusiastic colleagues. The next corner is Portier which is treated by many drivers as a double-apex corner rather than a pair of corners as it really is. Portier also ends the downhill section of the track and the start of the most famous part, the tunnel section.

At the exit of the corner, the cars will reach in the region of 170mph, slowing to 30mph for the Nouvelle Chicane. Out of the chicane it is hard on the power for the 4th gear left-hand Tabac and the swimming pool section. The exit of the swimming pool is taken at around 60mph, and the drivers are allowed another quick spurt through a short sweeping left hander, before arrival in the 1st gear Rascasse corner. Once through this corner safely there is only the 2nd gear Antony Hughes corner before the start-finish straight starts.

Circuit length: 2.068 miles / 3.328 km Race length: 75 laps (155.094 miles / 249.600 km)

What happened last year?

The Field

Arrows-Yamaha

After Damon Hill's faux-pas in San Marino, the team will be keen to make a better impression here. Pedro Diniz has been making enthusiastic noises about the D-spec Yamaha engine that he tested last week and the team are keen to get the new powerplant to replace the poor C-spec version. Damon believes that if Bridgestone can get their tyre selection right, he can score his first points of 1997, regardless of the opposition. Whether or not this is the case remains to be seen, but Damon has done well where power is not an issue and will definitely have a chance if there is a wet race. Pedro Diniz is still lacking in the qualifying stakes, but seems to be doing relatively well in the races and although not as fast as his team mate, apparently has the knack of getting the car to the end in one piece. In a race such as this, that could be a bonus.

Rothmans Williams-Renault

What can be said that hasn't been said already about the car and engine? Jacques Villeneuve is probably the bookies favourite still, but based on last years performance, my belief is that Heinz-Harold Frentzen will be the top dog at Williams in Monaco. Surprisingly I don't think Williams will win the race (although qualifying is a different matter), my money is on…

Marlboro Scuderia Ferrari

Ferrari put in a strong performance at Imola and things will more than likely be better here, with the 46/02 engine and a revised suspension geometry intended for use throughout the weekend. Michael Schumacher has won here more than any current F1 driver and will be keen to get a win under his belt. Eddie Irvine is looking ever more confident, although the twists and turns of Monaco may be beyond his ability to conquer to get his first win.

Mild Seven Benetton-Renault

Benetton are looking more and more the spent force, that many predicted after the departure of Schumacher. Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi are doing their collective best, as are the team, but there is a feeling that they just cannot find the setup for neither race nor qualifying. Both drivers usually run well here, and the team has been relatively successful in recent years, giving cause for optimism.

West McLaren-Mercedes

McLaren and Mercedes must be wondering what has happened to them. After the promise of the first race, things have gone downhill rapidly. The sad thing is that things aren't likely to change here. Monaco has not been a happy place for the team since the departure of the late Ayrton Senna and last year the Woking team even had to introduce a special short wheelbase version. I fully expect Mika Hakkinen to beat David Coulthard in this race, but they will be battling for the last point if they are lucky.

Benson and Hedges Total Jordan-Peugeot

Once again, Jordan have a good short at victory. The 197 is said to be the second best chassis on the grid and the engine is arguably also second best. The drivers Ralf Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella are both extremely quick and seem to be able to get the best out of the car. Ralf is possibly the quickest of the two in qualifying, but under race conditions, both seem to be almost equal. With the high attrition rate in Monte Carlo, either driver could be standing on the top step come Sunday.

Gauloises Blondes Prost-Mugen Honda

After the Williams pair and Schumacher, Prosts Olivier Panis stands the greatest chance of victory here. Alain Prost, team owner, has masses of experience here and will help his star driver get the most from chassis, engine and tyres. Shinji Nakano has an axe poised over his head, with Alain Prost looking to replace him if his performance does not improve. Shinji will qualify well down the field and run near the back throughout the race.

Red Bull Sauber-Petronas

Johnny Herbert is heading for his "home" Grand Prix with as good a chance of a podium finish as he has had in any race over the past two years. The Sauber-Petronas handles well and Johnny is on his best form for years, oozing confidence and looking like a man on a mission. Nicola Larini on the other hand is looking a little lost in a 1997 F1 car, but is improving with every race.

Tyrrell-Ford

Tyrrell are now ahead of Minardi, but how long this will go on for is anyones guess. The ED5 engine will not be ready in time for this race and with the new Hart v8 in the back of their Italian rivals car, the team must be worried. The bright spot is their driver pairing, with both Jos Verstappen and Mika Salo getting every last 10th of a second out of the car.

Minardi-Hart

Minardi should have the new variant of the Hart v8 in the back of their chassis for this coming weekend. Ukyo Katayama did better than his results showed in the last race, considering he had very little running prior to the race. Still, being beaten my novice Jarno Trulli can't help. Trulli is, for me, the most impressive driver of the year so far, showing pace in qualifying and races alike and tempering this with good racecraft. Trullis only problem will be whether or not he can get to grips with the circuit, and if he can he will be ahead of Katayama.

Stewart-Ford

Stewart face a tough weekend. Reliability is not their strong point and this is one of the toughest circuits on cars. Rubens Barrichello is still on top form and Jan Magnussen seems to be getting better so as far as the race and qualifying goes, they should be relatively quick. Still, they're not quite as good as their early season form indicates.

Whatever happens, Monaco is unique on the F1 circuit and should provide an interesting race. Enjoy.