Motorsport
Preview: Alonso, Schumacher resume battle at Monaco GP
By Claas Hennig
May 24, 2006, 9:54 GMT

Monte Carlo - Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher resume their Formula One title battle at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix at the weekend amid differing opinions on the importance of the qualifying round.

The world champion Renault driver Alonso insists that a place in the first row on the grid is essential in order to drive for victory Sunday.

But the Ferrari star Schumacher, in contrast, believes that victory is possible from further down on the grid if the strategy is right.

Alonso leads the way with 54 points from six season races, having won three. The two-time season winner Schumacher has 39 points and McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen is a distant third with 23 points.

Raikkonen won the 2005 race in the principality from the pole position and would love nothing more than to repeat that success in what is the 40th anniversary of Mclaren's F1 debut at the 1966 Monaco race.

'We will be pushing hard for victory. To lay the foundation for a good result you have to perform well in qualifying. In Monaco overtaking is almost impossible as the track is so twisty and narrow,' said the Finn.

Alonso, who is yet to win on the narrow and twisting city course, also names Saturday's qualifying session crucial for Sunday's race because overtaking is hardly possible.

'If you are on the front row, then if you finish the race, it is almost 100 per cent certain you will be on the podium. If you are not in the top five in qualifying, then you can forget the podium. So qualifying is where you need to take a lot of risks, but necessary risks. It is the key to the race,' he said.

Schumacher said that the race strategy was important as well and that for this reason victory is also possible without the pole position.

'It's true, lots of people think that the qualifying session could be equal to the outcome of the race, but I don't think so,' the German said.

'Of course it would be a disadvantage to be too far back on the grid. There's a lot you can achieve by having the right strategy if you're not on pole position. It's much more important to have a good strategy in place and a fast car. And there's absolutely chances of winning from position three, four or five.'

Schumacher, 37, boasts five victories on the course but the last one dates back to 2001. If he wins Sunday he would tie the record six wins from legendary Ayrton Senna.

Schumacher said he still enjoys racing on the unique circuit.

'Whichever way you look at it: it's absolutely challenging to go racing around on theses slippery streets at such high speeds so close to the crash barriers. And I love a good challenge!' he said.

Alonso has more mixed feelings, naming the Monaco race mainly 'a show for the people.'

Celebrities and VIPs will descend on the principality in large numbers as usual for the race weekend, which unlike at other venues already starts Thursday with two free practice sessions.

The final free practice and qualifying is Saturday, the 78-lap race on the 3.340-kilometre course on Sunday.