MIKA HAKKINEN was inch perfect yesterday in pushing his ever improving McLaren to fastest time around the majestic Monte Carlo circuit on the first day of practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Hakkinen pipped Damon Hill by less than three tenths of a second with the Finn's team mate David Coulthard third, just ahead of the new gold painted Jordan of Rubens Barrichello. Martin Brundle was eighth fastest, clear of the Ferraris of Michael Schumacher (11th) and Eddie Irvine (17th), after a day which saw the barriers claim half a dozen errant cars.
The 22 drivers tomorrow and 20 starters on Sunday will find the going tougher than ever around the narrow bumpy streets of the Principality where disaster is never more than inches away.
Even the very best find it hard to keep this year's low downforce cars on the right side of the knife edge and Schumacher's frequent off track excursions in practice are witness to the struggle to stay on the straight and narrow.
This year will be special for many. Graham Hill was Mr Monaco in the sixties, receiving the winner's trophy from Princess Grace five times. Only Ayrton Senna beat that record and then just by a single win. Damon Hill is looking forward to opening his account. "It's always special here - formula one is really on parade," he said, "but for me because of my father's record it is extra special."
Schumacher will be desperate to qualify well because the pole sitter has a great advantage at Monaco where it is impossible to pass unless the driver in front makes a mistake, gets a tap or loses in the pit stops.
Schumacher has won the last two times around the harbourside venue and will benefit from the hoards of Ferrari fans from Italy. Yesterday he was hampered by lack of running as a result of his morning accident and even for him it will be virtually impossible to finish on the podium if he can't improve on 11th fastest.
Schumacher lives in Monaco as does Jacque Villeneuve (seventh yesterday), whose father Gilles won in 1981 in an evil handling Ferrari turbo that Alan Jones simply couldn't get past.
Martin Brundle's renowned skill as a finisher has deserted him this year but he has managed to finish at Monaco four times in the points from his last seven starts - including being second to Schumacher in 1994: "I think it's a great test of a driver," said Brundle. "It requires immense concentration and is very demanding both physically and mentally."
Eighth place may not seem so impressive except that it's between Villeneuve and Gerhard Berger and ahead of the Ferraris. Brundle had trouble with traffic: "If I'd got a clear lap, I'd have been in good shape. The resurfaced track is a lot better but it's not any wider!" he said.
Rubens Barrichello has a flat overlooking the track but local knowledge has yet to help him towards a points finish. The Jordan is sporting a mid wing to improve downforce and Barrichello was the fastest car at the end of the tunnel, clocking 180 mph. His fourth place was a strong performance for the team who will want a result in a venue where Peugeot and Total have over 1,000 guests.
"I used a new set of tyres to set my time," said Barrichello afterwards. "I'm not sure that all the others did. I feel I can qualify in the top six."
Eddie Irvine struggled with his Ferrari in 17th place. Today is a rest day for the teams but Ferrari will be busy making changes in the hope of improving performance for the vital official session tomorrow.
Irvine only has 22 laps of Monaco race experience, all from last year, having been under a ban in 1994, but he is driving with great intelligence and has developed a sixth sense for avoiding trouble and bringing the car home whatever the odds. That's what a driver needs at this track where the car will be subjected to 2,000 gear changes over two hours.
