While the talk is all about Pirelli still, and just how it will impact Sunday’s race. The streets of Monte Carlo won’t be as punishing on the tyres as any other track so far in 2013, so two stops will probably be achievable, which is exactly what the FIA and Pirelli need to stem the criticism.

Mercedes are also in the spotlight after their recent Jekyll and Hyde performances over the course of a weekend. If they can pull off their fourth straight pole position of 2013, they could be in with a real chance of taking victory. Qualifying is all important here – a front row start can lead to a strong result, as overtaking opportunities here are at a minimum. If the Silver Arrows are at the front and have terrible race pace, how will the others pass them?

Fernando Alonso’s victory last time out wasn’t just a celebration on home soil. It was a celebration that the title hunt is still on for the Italian backed Spaniard. Sebastian Vettel’s points lead was looking ominous, but that win, coupled with Kimi Raikkonen’s strong 2nd place, keep both well in the mix. It’s a three-way fight already in the season. Points will be key for all three this weekend, but is the danger to end up playing it too safe?

The other two ones-to-watch are complete wildcards, especially in the context on 2013. Mark Webber has won twice in the last three races here, including last season, so the form guide suggests neutrals would be smart to place a bet or two on the Aussie. But, he’s been off the pace since Multi-21-gate and even if he qualifies well his starts have been between “awful” and “disastrous” all season.

The other? Pastor Maldonado. His record, bar last season’s red misted clash with Sergio Perez in practice, is very good at the circuit. Would the tight twisty nature or Monaco eliminate some of the weaknesses in this season’s Williams?

Track Guide

Weather

Weather for Monaco GP

Today	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Rain 17°/10°	Clear 18°/8°	Chance of Rain 15°/6°	Chance of Rain 15°/7°	Partly Cloudy 16°/8°

TV Times

Don’t miss a single minute of live F1 action thanks to our handy guide!

Tyres

Badger’s Magic Moment

Robert Kubica puts his Renault on the front row in 2010. Check this out!

This article "Badger’s Monaco Grand PrixView" originally found on Badger GP

Here are the full television and radio listings for the 2013 Monaco Grand Prix – all times are in GMT.

Wednesday 22th May

• 22:00 – The Formula 1 Preview Show –BBC Radio 5 live

Thursday 23rd May

• Monaco Grand Prix FP1
  • 08:45 – Sky Sports F1
  • 08.55 – BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
  • Session starts at 09:00

• Monaco Grand Prix FP2
  • 12:45 – Sky Sports F1
  • 12.55 – BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
  • Session starts at 13:00

Saturday 25th May

• Monaco Grand Prix FP3
  • 09:45 – Sky Sports F1
  • Session starts at 10:00

• Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying
  • 12:00 – Sky Sports F1
  • 13.00 – BBC Radio 5 Live
  • Session starts at 13:00
  • BBC Highlights – 5.35pm, BBC1

Sunday 26th May

• Monaco Grand Prix
  • 11:30 – Sky Sports F1 
  • 13.00 – Radio 5 Live 
  • Race starts at 13:00
  • BBC Highlights – 5.35pm, BBC1

All the usual analysis and reaction will be here by Sunday evening, so don’t miss out.

This article "TV Times for the Monaco Grand Prix" originally found on Badger GP

See the picture below of our resident F1 fan teddy bear.  He’s called Bruce and he needs a new home – if you can help, simply like and share his plea with your friends on Facebook.  Bruce will then go to one of those of you offering him a life line.

• Likes: Formula 1, biscuits (especially Hob Nobs), tea and Sunday afternoons.
• Dislikes: Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA, DRS and drivers being told to slow down.
• Favourites: he likes all the drivers, but has a special place in his heart for McLaren.
• Needs: a new home with a TV and access to the internet so he can follow F1
• Qualities: loveable, exciting, never sleeps, obedient, house-trained

Can you help save Bruce?

Simply like and share his plea now on Facebook!

This article "Save Bruce! Help the F1 Teddy Find a new home" originally found on Badger GP

We love these wall sculptures, they are one of the best pieces of F1 memorabilia we’ve come across.  Stylish, affordable, unique and don’t scream “I’m an F1 fan” to every visitor you have round your gaff.

They are even accepted by your non-F1 fan partner/family – as tested here in the Sett (Badger’s HQ) – beyond that they provide an excellent talking point.

You can read more about the range of iconic circuits reproduced in wood via the Linear Edge Facebook page, but keep your browser dialed in on Badger GP if you want to win one, because come the chequered flag in Sunday it could be you.

How to Enter:

• If you haven’t already got your yourself a Fantasy Grand Prix team with our Fantasy GP game, get yourself one – sign up here and choose your team of cars and drivers.
• You can score additional points by predicting the results of the race weekend too, so make sure you predict the pole position, podium, fastest lap and the number of safety cars.
• The premise is simple, whoever wins the Fantasy Grand Prix of Monaco, wins the Monaco track sculpture, along with the Badger GP Trophy Mug.
• If you want some tips on how to win at Fantasy GP, read the “How to Win” guide here and also cheque the FAQ here too for further info about the game and how it works.
• If you want to see which drivers and cars are doing well in Fantasy GP, you can also study the realtime and historic stats in the game too.

If you want to double your chances, you can also come to our “Super Monaco GP Bash” in London to enjoy the race on a cinema screen with another one of these sculptures to be given away.

This article "Win the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit!" originally found on Badger GP

And here’s the part where I admit that my favourite driver is none other than … Johnny Herbert. I began watching F1 as a child in the 90s, and Johnny Herbert’s F1 career spanned the entirety of the 90s decade.

Being inexplicably patriotic as a child, I think I must have surveyed the British drivers available for the position of No 1 favourite driver: Nigel Mansell was out of the running due to his alarming facial hair, Eddie Irvine was Irish (which didn’t count), Damon Hill was a bit uninspiring and the not-so-British Gerhard Berger was unfortunately Austrian (but had a rocking name) so all in all that left me with Herbert.

Photo: The Cahier Archive

I wasn’t often rewarded as a Herbert fan, but in 1995 I was treated to a win at the British grand prix. You can see Johnny in action at the 1995 British grand prix in the video below. It was around this time that I got two little fan-tailed goldfish – one of which I named Johnny Herbert (because all goldfish need full names, naturally) in honour of my favourite driver. Although, to put it in perspective, I named the other goldfish Catherine of Aragon (one of Henry VIII’s wives). Go figure.

These days, if you have Sky you’ll recognise Johnny as part of the Sky F1 team as an Expert Analyst. He’s alright, does the job. But then again anyone looks like a genius next to Simon Lazenby.

Johnny Herbert was not the best driver of all time, he wasn’t even the best British driver of all time. But what I most liked about Herbert was what I love most about British sport – the underdog who surprises everyone with a sublime, surprising win (see Jenson Button for another case in point in F1, or the 2012 Olympics). After months, years, even decades, of the lows you’re rewarded for your loyalty with just a few moments of brilliance. I like to call it the “Inner Tim Henman” in every British sportsman and sportswoman. It’s always worth the wait.

He may not be likely to make anyone’s top driver list, but Johnny Herbert was both my favourite goldfish AND my favourite driver. Beat that.

Want another Johnny Herbert fix? Check out our recent interview by clicking here!

This article "Johnny Herbert – My Favourite Driver (Sort Of)" originally found on Badger GP

And that’s not all, as with our previous events there will be Badger’s Grand Prix Pub Quiz, the Big Prize Raffle, the return of Badger GP Bingo and a retro F1 simulator competition too!

Tickets and full details are available here and there’s only a few places left now.  The ticket price includes your entry, a glass of posh prosecco (or fruit juice), quiz entry, a strip of raffle tickets and a Red Bull shot, courtesy of Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 team (how nice are they – thank them on Twitter @RedBullRacing)

What’s more, there are some utterly awesome prizes up for grabs too, check them out:

Raffle Prizes

• Paul Oz F1 Art Print
• Linear Edge Monte Carlo circuit sculpture 
• Linear Edge Circuit Coasters
• Red Bull Racing signed team shirt 
• McLaren teddy bear (cute!)
• McLaren MTC book and team mousemat
• Awesome, massive F1 photography print (A1 size by @ShivyF1)
• Lotus F1 Team merchandise (Backpack, cap, jacket)

Quiz Prizes

• Tooned! on DVD
• 2013 Driver line up and autographs prints
• Awesome, massive F1 photography print (A1 size by @ShivyF1)
• Lotus F1 Team merchandise (Backpack, cap, jacket)
• Sure for Men Lotus F1 Edition products
• Jacques Villeneuve’s album on CD - quiz wooden spoon prize!

And more!

• Bottle of fizz – for the best dressed ‘celebrity/F1 fan’
• Bottle of fizz – for the fastest lap on the retro F1 sim
• Lotus F1 Team Pen for each quiz team
• A glass of posh prosecco on entry
• A Red Bull F1 shot for everyone thanks to the Red Bull F1 team!

This article "Super Monaco GP Bash Prizes!" originally found on Badger GP

Our favourite has to be Nico Rosberg driving a shopping trolley – and that’s not us being horrible about his F1 car – he’s actually driving a real shopping trolley… seriously.

There’s a few more bits and bobs, including our very own Grand Prix car, created by @voxvocis, just for us!

Enjoy.

This article "Podium or Pits – It’s Grand Prix POP!" originally found on Badger GP

Soon after the race it became apparent that Fernando Also was being investigated/sternly spoken to for picking up a Spanish flag at the end of the race and holding it aloft as he drove back to the pits for a heroic imperious home win.

See the FIA’s announcement below…

FIA, please pay attention. Seriously… You had nothing better to do? You felt this was worthwhile? What has happened to passion in the sport? You are at dire risk of removing some of the most emotive and memorable moments from the sport. Perhaps you should consider looking at the rather dubious driving standards in GP2 that morning instead?

Mugs. Rant over.

This article "Ahhh not again! Flag gate Pt. 2…" originally found on Badger GP

For those of you that aren’t in the know, Formula E is the FIA’s new electric powered single seat formula, due to take to the track in 2014.

Yesterday it was announced that Renault, suppliers of engines to four of  Formula One’s eleven teams will be their new technical partner. They also released some rather swanky images of the new motor which has a striking resemblance to current IndyCar chassis – perhaps unsurprisingly given they are both produced by Dallara. We think it looks pretty cool!

But what about the noise of metal on metal? The thrash of the (soon to be) Turbo engines? Well…. here’s a sneaky peak at what a Formula E car might well sound like…

This article "Echos of Indy for Formula E" originally found on Badger GP

Now, the Mercedes isn’t exactly brilliant this season, but surely it doesn’t need to have salt rubbed into that wound. Especially not by the TV coverage in it’s home country, right?

This article "Rosberg in Shopping Trolley Shocker" originally found on Badger GP