We got through qualifying and even the two GP2 races without any major incidents so hopefully everyone will be paying careful attention this afternoon, especially on the first run to Ste Devote, a corner that has seen many a driver come to grief over the years.

Starting from pole and third - and on the clean side of the track - the Red Bulls would appear to have the advantage, and no doubt Sebastian has already been told to ride shotgun for his Australian teammate at the start, focussing on Kubica first and then Massa.

Yesterday's pole winning lap saw another sublime performance from Mark Webber, who appears to be enjoying a Riccardo Patrese style Indian summer to his career, indeed, the popular Australian is now widely tipped as championship winning material. If he can make full use of his grid place and give a performance even 90 percent of what we witnessed in Barcelona last week, Mark must surely be on the verge of adding another 25 points to his tally.

Kubica will be delighted simply to be starting from the front row, and would surely be delighted to be in second at the end of the race, admitting that a win must be beyond all expectations. However, Monaco is a circuit where anything can, and usually does, happen. Overtaking is notoriously difficult here therefore the right start, the right strategy and perfect a pitstop could swing things in the Pole's favour.

As we said, we expect Sebastian to be riding shotgun this afternoon, however, if the opportunity arises he is certain to take full advantage. Monaco isn't a place to take unnecessary risks therefore the German would be best advised to take what he can this afternoon and concentrate in getting his championship bid back on track in Turkey and beyond.

With his teammate starting from the pitlane, Felipe Massa has an opportunity to make his mark this afternoon. However, despite qualifying fourth, the Brazilian still appears to be lacking something this season, still failing to convince.

Still smarting from his wheel rim failure in Spain, Lewis Hamilton will be keen to make up for it this afternoon, on a circuit he clearly loves and at which he is a proven winner - as are Schumacher, Alonso, Button and Jarno Trulli. However, the restrictions of this track combined with the shortcomings of the MP4-25 suggest that the 2008 champion will be best served focussing on a podium finish as opposed to an outright win.

Nico Rosberg appeared to have recovered following a disappointing outing in Spain, and while the romantic in us would dearly love to see the youngster take his maiden win at this particular track it seems most unlikely. In addition to having to deal with Hamilton ahead of him, the Mercedes driver will be fully aware of the threat posed by his illustrious teammate who still has a point to prove.

Jenson Button has struggled all weekend, and his only real hope this afternoon is a change in the weather of the over exuberance of his rivals. In reality however, it looks as though the reining champion has a long afternoon ahead of him.

Another strong performance sees Rubens Barrichello start from ninth, the Brazilian veteran continuing to confound his critics and embarrass his precocious young teammate. Meanwhile, with an eye on Paul di Resta, who waits patiently at the back of the force India garage, Tonio Liuzzi did well to qualify tenth.