Renault targets surprise in Monaco

The Renault team believe that their car could potentially challenge for the race win in Monaco this weekend.

Last year Robert Kubica qualified second, just 0.294 seconds behind Mark Webber's Red Bull and while in the race he went on to finish third behind both Red Bull drivers, this years Renault does possess many of the same characteristics which has given the team an extra boost going into the race weekend.

'If the car is good then there is no reason why we should not be fighting from the front. Let's see. Renault boss Eric Boullier told Autosport Magazine.

'I think it will be crucial though, like at any race track but especially at Monaco, to qualify at the front. Let's see how we manage the traffic, but I am pretty sure our car will be fast in Monaco.'

'I think Monaco, the way we designed the car, it should be better for there, so we should be closer to the front.'

The one major difference from this years race to last years is of course the tyres.

In 2010 with the Bridgestone tyre, race strategy was simpler and a lot more predictable, this year with Pirelli, tyre strategy is far from predictable, especially with the teams using Pirelli's super-soft compound for the first time.

If degradation is high, marbles may become an issue on the twisty street circuit, making running off-line even harder than normal, while getting stuck behind slow cars on old tyres could ruin a drivers chance of points/the win.

It's going to be great to watch!

Also do not forget to check our forum as one of our forum members is out in Monaco and has been giving us some great updates and photos in the build up to this Sunday's race!