Monaco Grand Prix as it happened

BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Monaco: "Will you forgive me for not getting my tyre information this Sunday? It's Monaco - and I know Caroline is more interested in celebrity-hunting than rubber. So, I've just dashed up to the paddock to see who was keeping the snappers busy. Well, Star Wars creator George Lucas was at the heart of it all, five-time Olympic champion - and BBC athletics guru - Michael Johnson was also striding up and down while former world champion Jacques Villeneuve seems to be keeping himself busy. I also bumped into Sir Cliff Richard earlier and rushed back to tell my BBC colleague, who drily replied: "Congratulations". PS: Most drivers are expected to go out on the super soft tyres rather than the soft option."

1239: Speak of the devil, there is Prince Michael of Kent, who informs Martin Brundle is wearing his "RAC hat" today. Although he is not actually wearing a hat - which may not be wise with the sun beating down.

1236: The pit lane is open - which should mean a procession of glamorous people sashaying down the grid. To be honest though, Monaco has failed to deliver on the celebrity front this year. I've seen far too much of James Blunt and far too little of Brad Pitt and P Diddy. There's not much fun to be had from the official race guest list either. As well as Blunt, we have: Jesse Metcalfe, Chris Evans, Geri Halliwell, Princess Beatrice, Prince Michael of Kent, George Lucas, Michael Johnson.

BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Monaco: "Here's some more inside track on the, um, track. The Swimming Pool complex in the final sector of the race, where drivers negotiate a fast left-hand curve and then a slower turn to the right, is also a revealing place to stand and watch the cars. The combination used to be much more dicey before the concrete walls were removed and now the cars plough through at 125mph. Standing there at the side of the circuit during final practice, the smell of sea-salt from the marina hit me from one side, while on the other the drivers raced past three metres from my feet. It was like an assault as the cars roared by, one, two, three, four… The wheels hummed over the curbs and the inside of my ear buzzed with the sound vibration. When I woke up this morning, my hearing definitely felt a little fuggy - that's the downside of being up close to an F1 car."

1235: Nigel Mansell is a man who knows about how to win a world championship. He began 1992 with five straight wins before being forced to settle for second behind a much slower Ayrton Senna at Monaco in 1992. His advice for Button: "You have to keep your head down because you never know when the tide will turn but hopefully it's too late now."

1230: With such a commanding lead in the world championship, there is a suspicion that Jenson Button could play it safe and go for a podium rather than risk everything. David Coulthard reckons that's nonsense and Button will only have his eyes on the top prize.

1226: Kimi Raikkonen - not the world's most optimistic man - isn't convinced Kers is going to be a massive help to him today. If he doesn't take Button off the start, he could have another chance at the harbour chicane. The Finn is second in terms of overtaking manoeuvres this season.

1221: If you've been following this live text commentary all weekend, you'll already know my feelings about… ugh, I don't even want to say it. Let's just say it rhymes with 'fudge-it bap cow'. If you want the latest, read this - and as you can see, it's good news:

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