Dennis Backs Monaco's Plans for Change

McLaren Formula One boss Ron Dennis has backed plans to upgrade Monaco's cramped pits but has criticised the race marshals for damaging Kimi Raikkonen's car on Saturday.

Briton Dennis, who spoke out against the principality's out-dated facilities last year, said he was encouraged by plans for new garages and grandstands to be built in time for the 2006 season.

"I spent an evening with Prince Albert and talked extensively to him about the plans. And therefore I was reasonably upbeat until this afternoon," he said.

Dennis said McLaren had to wait for almost half an hour for Kimi Raikkonen's car to be returned after the Finn had an accident in morning practice.

They found the car's roll hoop had been damaged when marshals lifted it off the track and the problems were exacerbated by logistical difficulties in getting the vehicle back to the garages.

"When you are faced with a sea of people through which you have got to try and get the car back to the pits, you get pretty damn frustrated," said Dennis.

The team's garages are located on the harbourside at Monaco and, with the track reopened as a public road after competitive sessions, mechanics have to push the cars through a throng of people to get to the pits.

Raikkonen qualified sixth for Sunday's race while British team mate David Coulthard was second fastest.