Formula 1 motor sport can be exciting to watch. I am sure it’s exciting to participate in as well – except perhaps for the Monarco Grand Prix. This is one race that, over the years, has become nothing more than a tactical procession. Driver error and slow pit stops are the only way that pole sitters can lose this race – Monaco having the hardest passing circuit on the Formula 1 tour.

It’s not often a driver goes into a Formula 1 race as a clear odds on favourite yet that is what Mark Webber will do today as he attempts to win consecutive grands prix. Webber won from pole to flag in Spain last week and should repeat the effort in Monarco. He was clearly the fastest in qualifying and the only driver to break 74 seconds for a lap, a full quarter of a second faster than anyone else.

Pole starters have won four of the past five races in Monarco, a testament to how difficult it is to pass on this circuit. In recent years I would have bet against Webber – he had a record for being a little reckless. He now has his eyes on becoming world champ that has made him a little more conscious of actually staying on the track.

Webber’s betting odds are a reasonable 3/4 with Polish surprise packet Robert Kubica in his Renault priced at 9/2 second favourite – he will start alongside Webber on the front row. Sebastian Vettel at 11/2 and Felipe Massa at 7/1 are the only starters in single figures. Can Webber win? I think he can, but watch out for Kubica – he will certainly make the start interesting.