Monaco GP Race Preview - Technical Analysis and Form Guide, Open Conclusion.

After an exciting Turkish GP, which saw Felipe Massa emerge victorious after a stunning drive on an unusual three-stop strategy, the Formula One circus now moves on to the most glamourous event of them all: The Monaco Grand Prix.

The track snakes through the streets of Monte Carlo, and as it does so, it passes some of the most spectacular scenery on the calendar. As glamourous as it is though, it is a grueling and challenging race circuit that demands much from the driver.

The circuit is the slowest on the F1 calendar, requiring good mechanical grip, a high downforce setup, and chassis capable of riding the bumps of the circuit effectively. Other obstacles include drains, manhole covers, high kerbs, dips, lumps, bumps and perilously close walls.

On most circuits, a driver will find that the pit straight often becomes a moment of respite, a moment to sit back, throttle planted to the floor, and simply guide the car in a straight line.

At Monaco, however, there is no respite, the pit straight is a long sweeping curve lined with armco barriers, and with no other "straights" on the circuit, 100% concentration is required of the driver for all of the duration of the race.

As well as mentally taxing on the driver, the circuit demands much from the machinery. There are heavy braking areas, and the high downforce setups and low top speeds, coupled with often amicable weather conditions lead to cooling issues.

Mostly though, the circuit demands the most from the gearbox, which may make up to 2,700 gear changes during the race. For may drivers, this will be the second of the mandatory four-race lives of their gearboxes, and questions may be asked of the longevity of these items at the next couple of races after the ordeal of Monaco.

On the racing front, it's becoming difficult to predict what may happen here. The weather is often hot and dry, but it can be fickle. Often the track will suit cars that work the tyres well, mechanically speaking. The McLaren MP4-23 seems to fit right into this category here. And being a high downforce track, aerodynamic efficiency is not a huge factor, only outright downforce levels are. Again, the McLaren MP4-23 seems like a likely candidate.

However, the Ferrari F2008 was the faster of the two front running cars in the tight and twisty third sector at the Turkish GP last week. This clouds the picture. Is this a sign of the Ferrari's superiority on a tight and twisty track? Or purely a by-product of a different setup chosen by McLaren with emphasis on maximising the first two sectors?

Kimi Raikkonen has expressed concerns that BMW and Renault might cause an upset, but Renault have played down their chances, while BMW are holding their cards close to their chests.

It appears we just won't know what's going to happen until we get there, but we might gain an insight if we look at the test at Paul Ricard this week. At the time of writing only the first day has been completed, and Lewis Hamilton finished the day fastest, almost 0.5 seconds faster than the second-place man, reigning world champion Raikkonen.

Now this is not to say that the McLaren is half a second faster and that's the end of it. Instead, it is purely the result of two test plans by each team. Nonetheless ,the general consensus is that the Monaco & Canadian GP's will be better suited to the McLaren's, and first impressions seem to be upholding that viewpoint.

McLaren do seem to hold the upper hand at the moment, and in Lewis Hamilton they have a driver who is finding his way back to winning form. Until last year (when he finished second behind teammate Fernando Alonso) he's never lost at Monaco. A Monaco specialist in a car seemingly made for this track? Make of that what you will, but never write off Kimi Raikkonen or the Scuderia.

My prediction? We're in for a fascinating Grand Prix weekend, which is just too close to call right now. I cannot wait.