Brits on Pole

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David Coulthard is convinced that he can regain control of his chaotic 15th season in Formula One and get some points on the board for his team Red Bull.

Time for us to admit what has happened to our team in round six of the McLaren Grand Prix League fantasy F1 competition. And, actually, things are looking up.

Night owls who are also motorsport fans have been treated to an affectionate hour-long portrait of a British racing legend this week. Graham Hill: Driven was broadcast on BBC4 on Tuesday night, but you can still catch it for a few more days at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer. Coming as it does straight after the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix, a race which Hill made his own, it’s very difficult not to draw comparisons between the sport then and now.

Before Monaco qualifying McLaren publicly told its drivers that it expected them to “add to the illustrious history of the team at the Monaco Grand Prix.” And now Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen are smarting after failing to find an answer to Ferrari in qualifying. The red cars beat them to the front row by mere hundredths of a second and they command the race. How will the McLarens respond?

We are posting this merely so that our loyal readership can reassure itself that it is on top of the latest salient points of the Mosley saga and then get back to wondering about the far more interesting possibilities of rain and spectacular upsets in the race.

The notorious Monaco circuit, which has no room for error. A number of rookies. The removal of traction control and now a good possibility of rain. Three drivers busting up their cars before practice was even completed. No wonder Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton are expecting trouble. Monaco five-day forecast from the BBC is available here >>

Lewis Hamilton has everything to play for in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix tomorrow after practice times demonstrated how his McLaren team is running neck and neck with Ferrari. The race, with its famous lack of overtaking opportunities, is even more likely than usual to be won by whoever can take pole position - and the threat of rain during both qualifying and the race itself may make things considerably more interesting.

Sir Frank Williams, who has spent more than 40 years as a racing team owner, will be attending his 600th grand prix this weekend.

Wondering what time to get yourself in front of the telly or radio for the latest round in the F1 championship? Here are the broadcast times for the stations covering the Monagasque Grand Prix in the UK. (Ha! we’ve been looking for an excuse to use that word all day.)

At stake at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is not just the distinction of winning one of the most coveted trophies in F1 - it’s also a chance to grab the season initiative. McLaren will be desperate to impose themselves on the race after taking the hunt to Ferrari in Turkey. But the Italian team was still dominant there and it will be looking to underline this dominance in Monte Carlo with the whole world watching.