1.
GV: cars on track ZOOM TO Tyrrell car (6 wheeled car)
0.10

2.
CU: James Hunt car
0.14

3.
GV: number 5, Mario Andretti's car on track.
0.22

4.
GV: number 7, John Watson past camera
0.27

5.
GV: number 19 Vittorio Brambilla and number 11 Niki Lauda past camera.
0.37

6.
GV: number 33, number 2, Jochen Mass, and number 22, Clay Regazzoni round bend on track.
0.46

7.
GV: Circuit as seen by driver
1.55

8.
GV: cars on practice laps. (3 shots)
2.16



Initials RH/AMN/AH/1655



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In two practice sessions for Sunday's (22 May) Monaco Grand Prix, the Brabhams of West Germany's Hans Stuck and Britain's John Watson filled the first two places. The practices took place in Monte Carlo on Thursday (19 May) but the drivers were hampered by torrential rain.

SYNOPSIS: The prestigious race in the principality of Monaco attracts the world's best motor racing drivers. It was won for the last two years by Austria's Niki Lauda. He's back again this year along with Britain's James Hunt, last year's overall Grand Prix champion. Another of the race favourites in America's Mario Andretti in car number five.

John Watson in number seven, completed the days domination by the 12-cylinder Brabham's with a time of one minute 30.86 seconds over the 3.312 kilometres (2.058 miles) circuit. Niki Lauda, who missed the last grand prix in Spain after injuring his ribs is fit again for racing.

Two other top drivers competing on Sunday are West Germany's Jochen Mass, for the fifth time at Monaco, and Switzerland's Clay Regazzoni who holds the Monaco lap records.

This film was shot from an ELF Tyrell and shows the tortuous circuit from the driver's point of view. Monte Carlo streets do not make the ideal grand prix circuit. Accidents, particularly on the first lap, are frequent and there is little room for manoeuvre. A good grid position from the start is vital. It's very difficult to overtake here and it's the driver with the cool head who's in the right place at the right time at the first corner who's most likely to make it. The stars of motor racing history have had some of their most glorious moments in Monte Carlo. Britain's Graham hill thrilled the world with five victories, interrupted only once in 1967 when New Zealand's Dennis Hulme stole the glory. Sterling Moss and Jackie Steward have each had three victories here.

At the moment Sunday's victory could go to any one of the 30 competing drivers. Jody Scheckter, currently leading in the world championship, is a favourite. But so are Sweden's Ronnie Peterson who came third in the time trials in his ElF Tyrrell and Argentina's Carlos Reutemann who clocked in fifth in the trials in his Ferrari.