On a week where there has been courtroom action and debate about whether Formula One would be the same without Ferrari, it's good to come to Monaco and remember just what F1 is all about.
Monte Carlo is officially recognized as 'the jewel in the crown' of grand prix racing. The championship's poster venue, racing cars scream through narrow, barrier-lined streets, past the casino, through a tunnel and around an ostentatious harbour that leaves you thinking 'what credit crunch?'
As well as the glitz, this is F1's most evocative venue and modern F1 cars follow the same route as the Bugattis and Maseratis did in the inaugural race, back in 1929.
The spectacle of the Principality is tempered by the fact that there's never any overtaking in Monaco - it's just too narrow and twisty. But it's the greatest challenge, for drivers cannot let their concentration slip for a second. The walls and low levels of grip ensure the smallest mistake will end their race.
Because it's so tough to pass another car, qualifying well is of paramount importance. Traditionally teams would race on a late one-stop strategy, to prevent their cars getting stuck in traffic after an early stop. However, as cars now have to qualify with their race fuel on board, if you want that all important pole position you need to run on the lighter side and take a gamble that you create enough of a gap before you pit. With so many cars so closely matched on pace, those qualifying decisions are critical.
Logically Brawn should be quick here, and that's a car that really enjoys a heavy fuel load. Red Bull will be on it too, as they have brought their new double-diffuser here, several weeks ahead of schedule. That will really help the car's grip out of low-speed turns. And Monaco is full of them.
Ferrari were a huge improvement in Barcelona and should be up there too. And Jarno Trulli, in the Toyota, is a former race winner here and is a dead cert for a podium. Maybe even the win.
But there are no certainties in Monaco.
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