Possibly the most colourful and glamorous Grand Prix on the seventeen race calendar, Monaco has hosted this race since 1955. The famous street circuit is lined by Armco barriers, making it a tight and twisty track that is unforgiving as there are no gravel traps or run off areas.

Driving precision is therefore vital and it is a tough race all round. For drivers it is incredibly demanding as there is very little time to relax as the corners come up fast, with the narrow track requiring great concentration. Cars need to run with maximum downforce on this circuit as the average corner speeds are low and heavy braking is required. It's almost impossible to overtake as there is only one very short straight and that's under the tunnel. The pit lane is hazardous being so narrow, so team personnel must be on guard at all times.

Unlike some teams, Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda had a trouble-free day during opening practice for Sunday's Grand Prix on one of the most difficult tracks in the world. Jarno Trulli was fifth fastest and Heinz-Harald Frentzen seventh at the end of the two 60-minute sessions.

Jordan have introduced a heavily revised EJ11 this weekend. Apart from modifications to the suspension, additions to the aerodynamics include a small wing, mounted amidships on a stalk directly in front of the driver. On a slow circuit such as Monte Carlo, teams are attempting to gain as much extra downforce as possible.

Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda driver Jarno Trulli set sixth fastest time, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen claiming tenth fastest after losing the final half hour with a mechanical problem.

Trulli had no problems but said it was too early and too difficult to make a prediction concerning qualifying and the chances of repeating his front row grid position from last year.

Qualifying was disappointing for Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda, Jarno Trulli claiming eighth place on the grid, Heinz-Harald Frentzen setting 13th fastest time after spinning off on his last lap.

"It was a very tough qualifying ­just as I expected," said Trulli. "I'm a bit disappointed, but I had a feeling from the morning that we weren't really, really competitive. Unfortunately, the car didn't feel that good with the tyres we ran; we knew that we were going to struggle because the car felt very nervous. Anyway, I'm on the fourth row and I hope to build a good race from there. As you know, anything can happen during 78 laps in Monte Carlo!"

An uneventful warm-up this morning as the Benson and Hedges Jordan Honda drivers completed 14 laps each during the 30-minute session, Heinz-Harald Frentzen recording the fifth fastest time, Jarno Trulli being 11th quickest.

"A routine warm-up with no big dramas," said Trevor Foster, Managing Director, Jordan Grand Prix.