Speed chess in Monaco

It's essentially impossible to overtake on the streets around Monte Carlo, so it was hardly surprising that Mark Webber became the eighth winner from the past nine to do so from pole position.

Yet Sunday's 70th Grand Prix of Monaco could have been won by Fernando Alonso who started just fifth or, even more likely, by Sebastian Vettel from ninth. But not by pulling off daring passing maneuvers.

Managing the Pirelli tires is proving more difficult than even in their first season as the official supplier. The 'sweet spot' of performance is very narrow and usually in a different place for each of the two compound types which must be used during the race. Influencing factors include car set-up, tire pressure settings, the nature of the circuit and evolution of its surface during the weekend, ambient and track temperature - and driving style.