Monaco GP: 6 things you need to know

Since the last race in Barcelona, F1's strategy group has proposed a host of new rules for 2017, with plans to reintroduce refuelling and cars capable of going "five or six seconds" a lap faster.

The reaction amongst drivers and fans has generally been positive, apparently confirming just how unpopular the current regulations are.

Fernando Alonso summed the current situation up brilliantly: "The engineers did some calculations. The winner of Malaysia this year would have been lapped six times by the winner of Malaysia in 2006."

Just let that sink in for a moment. Assuming Nando's maths are correct, if Lewis Hamilton could drive his W06 in that era, he'd be further off the pace than Manor Marussia are in the present day. Pedestrian.

Perhaps the most recognisable venue on the calendar, Monaco's circuit encapsulates many things that F1 is famous for: history, glamour... yachts.

A shame, then, that despite being an epic track to drive around, it's also one of the most difficult to overtake on.

Some of the most processional races in the sport's history have come in the principality, with ten of the last eleven winners taking the chequered flag from pole.

At least if anyone does overtake without the help of DRS, it'll likely be a stunning bit of driving.

Red Bull's 25-year-old got on the podium here last year having retired from his two previous Monaco GPs with Toro Rosso. And it sounds like he can't wait to get back out there.

"Driving an F1 car anywhere is special: the speed, the power and the acceleration just blows you away," said the Aussie. "But here it's like trying to do a lap in a supermarket, and that's just so, so cool.

"When I was a kid I used to love riding my little bike around the house. It was more fun, there were more obstacles and a bit more danger. That really is what this is like."

With Daniel permanently grinning from ear to ear at least, there are serious concerns that the excitement of Monaco could cause his smile to extend round the entire circumference of his head.

Throughout the young Spanish driver's short career, there has been one reassuring constant in his life: his lucky grey cap.

The Red Bull-branded hat is said to have been with Sainz when he won the Formula Renault 3.5 series last year, but was lost at the last race when, we're told, Fernando Alonso threw it into the crowd in Catalunya.

A fan is believed to have come forward with the cap since, with Carlos' manager Borja Ortiz-Echague reportedly offering race tickets and memorabilia in exchange for the safe return of the AWOL headwear.

No word yet on whether the terms have been accepted.

Romain Grosjean finished eighth last year in Monaco, but his previous two outings at the circuit ended in disaster.

In 2013, Grosjean earned a ten-place grid penalty for the next grand prix after crashing into Felipe Massa in free practice and then into Daniel Ricciardo during the race.

The year before that, he didn't even make it to Turn 1 after contact with three world champions - Alonso, Schumacher and Vettel - seconds after lights out.

Could it be down to nausea? The Frenchman tweeted an update to his followers yesterday evening, seemingly admitting to some seasickness after a series of interviews in the swimming pool area.

Apparently seasickness can be cured by looking at a stationary object. So maybe fix your gaze on the McLarens, Romain?

After Lewis Hamilton's appearance alongside Thierry Henry on a five-a-side pitch last week, yet more F1 drivers have been giving footballing a go in the annual Star Team for Children match at the Stade Louis II.

Felipe Massa - pictured above in a different game several years ago - captained a side containing Sergio Perez and Will Stevens, while world tennis No. 1 Novak Djokovic led the opposition in the twenty-second edition of the charity event.

Despite being aided by former France international William Gallas, the F1 team was unable to retain the title it won 12 months ago, netting just once in a 3-1 defeat.

Stick to the day job, gents.