Formula 1 heads for its most glamorous location on Sunday - the Monaco Grand Prix - but the drivers are not looking forward to it.

Grove-based BMW-Williams driver Ralf Schumacher said he once remembered someone saying that racing an F1 car around the famous circuit is just like flying a helicopter in your bedroom.

He said: "You could not describe this race in a better way. Monaco isn't an up-to-date race anymore, but maybe it is a race that relates to the spirit of a different age - the atmosphere is impressive, even if I don't particularly like racing there.

"This circuit might not suit the WilliamsF1 BMW FW24 as much as the Ferrari F2002, but after the positive test in Valencia, I hope that we can come a bit closer to the red cars.

"As long as we will still have a mathematical chance for the world championship, we won't let go of this target and this approach counts just as much for the Monaco Grand Prix."

His teammate, Juan Pablo Montoya, said: "I can't say I really enjoyed my debut in Monaco last year, and overall it was a difficult weekend for me.

"I thought initially that it would be a lot more fun than it was, and in fact it was extremely hard work. It's a very fancy weekend and a glamorous event, but maybe it's a bit too classy and I am not really that kind of person.

"Whatever happens, I hope this time around will provide the team with better memories to cherish."

The BMW-WilliamsF1 outfit has finished a five-day test at the Valencia circuit in Spain, attended by test team drivers Marc Gen and Antonio Pizzonia, and Ralf Schumacher in the run-up to the event.

Sam Michael, chief operations engineer for WilliamsF1, said: "Monaco is a tight and twisty street circuit with a lot of slow speed corners and barriers right next to the circuit.

"The grip level of the circuit increases dramatically over the race weekend because a lot of rubber being progressively laid down.

"Strategy is usually the same for everybody, but plenty depends on your grid position.

"Michelin will provide a strong tyre for qualifying, which is even more important, because it's almost impossible to overtake during the race."