No team tactics, pledges Trulli

Schumacher starts a race outside of the front row of the grid for the first time this year, with Ferrari having chosen the harder Bridgestone tyre, offering better race consistency as against one-lap qualifying pace. Its 'super-soft' option appeared to offer little durability when tested in practice on Thursday.

So far this season, Schumacher and Ferrari have demonstrated clearly superior race pace and while Monte Carlo does not play so much into the hands of the Ferrari/Bridgestone package, it would be no surprise to find the Ferrari setting the fastest race lap.

At Imola, Schumacher had to follow Jenson Button in the first stint before shocking the Briton with his pace when the BAR stopped, easily jumping him when the Ferrari stopped a couple of laps later. At Barcelona, Schumacher did much the same thing to Trulli.

Logically, if a team has both its drivers ahead of the Ferrari on the grid, then tactics can be employed to create a gap, especially at a circuit such as Monte Carlo, where it is almost impossible to pass. It would effectively mean sacrificing one driver's race - probably Alonso's in this case - and, strictly speaking, team orders are no longer allowed.

Also, if the cars get through Monaco's first corner in grid order, Button splitting the Renaults on the grid plays into Schumacher's hands, because Renault will want to make sure that the Spaniard stays in contention if there is a close battle with BAR. If the trio run at a similar pace, Schumacher should be able to tag on the back, staying in contention.

"I don't think tactics would be fair anyway, either on me or Fernando," said Trulli. "Everyone is racing for victory and we just have to do our best. We shall see what happens tomorrow. Maybe the Ferraris haven't got enough pace, you don't know. Things have changed quite a lot - three Michelin runners at the front with the Ferrari further back with Bridgestone.

"Maybe they will not have such good pace. For sure, tomorrow they will be quicker but we feel quite confident for the race. We are not are not going to play any weird strategy to stop anyone else or to stop the Ferrari. We just want to race for victory with either of our cars."