Teams still working on motor homes in Monaco

Monte Carlo's famous glamour was yet to arrive in the Formula One paddock on Wednesday.

It is just two days since the chequered flag waved at the Circuit de Catalunya, meaning that it has been the shortest turnaround between back-to-back races in the sport's history.

Mercedes and Red Bull sent old motor homes to Spain so that their real facilities were ready for Wednesday, the unofficial first day of the Monaco event given that Thursday will see the initial 180 hours of practice.

It was a different story elsewhere in pitlane.

Renault is this year operating the departed Toyota's 2009 motor home, and construction was not complete early on Wednesday due to the team still learning the ropes about how to dismantle and erect it.

"It was a bit of a breakneck 24 hours to get the team and equipment to Monaco, but everybody is now working hard to make sure we're ready to go in first practice on Thursday morning," said team manager Steve Nielsen.

Ferrari and Williams were also working on their paddock facilities on Wednesday, amid the insalubrious backdrop of cranes, ladders, hammers and drills.

McLaren's impressive roundhouse motor home was 'naked' because the glass panels were not yet all in place, and Virgin was a long way from having its new facility ready to accommodate walls, let alone any guests or team members.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the chance of rain for Saturday and Sunday's crucial running at Monaco has now subsided to just 30 per cent on both days.