Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
"The eyes of the world are on Monaco for the Grand Prix. The race in the principality constitutes the crown jewels of Formula One, although the track has absolutely nothing in common with a modern race circuit. Whether you like the glamour of it all is a matter of taste, but it is all part of the image of Formula One. The closeness of the fans to the track and the paddock creates an atmosphere unlike any other grand prix.
Raw power doesn't get you very far on this tight and twisty course. Instead, it's good engine driveability that makes the difference. The hairpin at the Grand Hotel is the only corner all year when engine speeds dip below 5,000 rpm. The nigh-on 200 bhp performance gap between the 3.0-litre V10 engines in 2005 and this year's 2.4-litre V8 will be less visible at Monaco than anywhere else."