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 Photograph: Vladimir Rys/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Mark Thompson/guardian.co.uk Button using every inch of the narrow track as he flies through La Rascasse Photograph: Peter Steffen/EPA Photograph: Peter Steffen/guardian.co.uk Crowds watch from the stands as Renault driver Robert Kubica heads Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images Photograph: Mark Thompson/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Gero Breloer/guardian.co.uk Webber clocked 1:16.382 (fourth) and 1:15.620 (10th) Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images Photograph: Paul Gilham/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Giampiero Sposito/guardian.co.uk Button was only one thousandth of a second faster than Schuey in P2, placing him ninth Photograph: Luca Bruno/AP Photograph: Luca Bruno/guardian.co.uk One of last season's title contenders, Rubens Barrichello, finished 12th and 14th in his Williams Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images Photograph: Mark Thompson/guardian.co.uk Nico Rosberg was 11th in the morning but shot up to second in the afternoon Photograph: Guillaume Baptiste/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Guillaume Baptiste/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Max Rossi/guardian.co.uk 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 Photograph: Paul Gilham/guardian.co.uk