It is commonly referred to as the ‘rest day’, but Friday in Monaco is not universally popular among the F1 drivers.
Unlike elsewhere on the calendar, the drivers practice on Thursday in the unique Principality before resuming the weekend with qualifying two days later.

“For me, I’d rather we practised on Friday and went straight into qualifying,” said Jenson Button.

His argument is that the gap day actually creates more work for the drivers, who usually spend time at the circuit anyway with engineers, media and sponsors.

“Usually we have events,” Michael Schumacher agreed.

Added Rubens Barrichello: “It’s kind of a boring Friday, really, because you can’t sleep because other people are driving on the track.”

“Basically in your mind,” explained Nick Heidfeld, “you’re just looking forward to the next day, you want to get into the car and get on with it.”

Said Jarno Trulli: “We spend one more day in such a chaotic situation, a day that most of the time is spent doing PR or media or anything like that.”

But not every driver rues ‘gap Friday’ in Monaco.

“For me, it’s a quick engineer meeting and then straight to the pool with friends and have a good time and relax,” said Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg.

Added Trulli: “I hope I can get a ride on my bike and then lay down by the pool but I’m sure I will have to come here and do some work.”