F1: Monaco GP build-up gallery

Jenson Button, the championship leader by three points from Fernando Alonso, snakes through the marina during practice at the iconic Monte Carlo circuit
Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images

Mark Webber, the winner of last weekend's Spanish grand prix, will be hunting for another podium finish this weekend. He currently lies fourth in the overall standings
Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Button using every inch of the narrow track as he flies through La Rascasse
Photograph: Peter Steffen/EPA

Crowds watch from the stands as Renault driver Robert Kubica heads Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso
Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Button, meanwhile, was eighth in practice one and, despite knocking more than a second off his time, ninth in practice two
Photograph: Gero Breloer/AP

Webber clocked 1:16.382 (fourth) and 1:15.620 (10th)
Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher beat his team-mate Nico Rosberg in the morning, but again fell behind the younger man in the afternoon. Schumacher, a five-time winner on the circuit, was sixth and fifth
Photograph: Giampiero Sposito/Reuters

Button was only one thousandth of a second faster than Schuey in P2, placing him ninth
Photograph: Luca Bruno/AP

One of last season's title contenders, Rubens Barrichello, finished 12th and 14th in his Williams
Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Nico Rosberg was 11th in the morning but shot up to second in the afternoon
Photograph: Guillaume Baptiste/AFP/Getty Images

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, who lies third in the overall standings, was a consistent performer today, finishing P1 second and P2 third
Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters

Alonso was the outright leader, topping the time sheets in both sessions, despite clipping the barrier at Casino Corner at one point
Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images