Bravery allied to skill and daring, all carried in a grand prix car of supreme quality, are crucial factors in the mastery of Monaco, the glorious scene of Sunday’s sixth round in the title chase.

They are qualities Lewis Hamilton has in abundance as he seeks revenge on his Mercedes teammate, if not best friend, Nico Rosberg, who robbed him of victory last time out in Spain.

Hamilton, the championship leader by 20 points from Rosberg, has vowed to avenge that upset in Barcelona despite not having the most memorable record on glam circuit Monaco, the slowest track in Formula One.

He has been full of fighting talk in the build-up to the showy spectacle, glitzy and gaudy, around the scarily tight barrier-lined streets of Monte Carlo on Sunday afternoon.

He has been a winner here only once before, in 2008, and last year he was dubiously and unfairly outsmarted by Rosberg, who beat him to pole then to top spot on the podium for the second successive year.

Hamilton, still needled at that and smarting from his Spanish lockout, plans to wreak his revenge this weekend.

And crucially, his team has backed him by giving him the option to go on track ahead of Rosberg for the qualifying shoot-out.

Hamilton, on a last lap flyer last year, was left seething when Rosberg got it wrong at turn five and caused the no-overtaking yellow flag to be waved, sabotaging the outcome.

It was a questionable move that put Rosberg in the prime place for a second successive Monaco victory.

Hamilton is desperate to pile on the points after Rosberg’s shock first win of the season in Spain.

And the 31-year-old double-champion, favourite to clinch a hat-trick of titles, said: “I don’t look at Monaco like unfinished business. The last two years I had a car fit to win. But didn’t.

“Last season I had the pace — but other things were up against me. This year, third time lucky, I aim to make sure I finish where I most want and plan to be.

“And this time I have the choice to go out for qualifying ahead of Nico — so I will make sure I do.

“I am going out there to win. It is something I’ve not done in Monaco for along time. So I am going to work hard at it.

“Monaco is the biggest challenge of our season and, when you get it right, the feeling is hard to beat. You have to be inch-perfect and the slightest slip, either in qualifying or the race, can ruin your weekend. It is all about bravery, skill and pace.

“I have a fantastic car, which I am going to race as hard as I can, and give it everything I’ve got, as always.

“I really am excited about Monaco, more than ever. And I know I can rectify things there this weekend. It is the race all drivers most want to win. Me included.

“In our sport you have to take the rough with the smooth and I have shown I can bounce back pretty well.

“And it will happen in Monaco. There I promise I will have some great news to give, hopefully from being on pole for the first time.”

Rosberg says succinctly: “I am feeling optimistic. And ready. I have shown I can beat Lewis and I am looking forward to making it three wins in a row in Monaco.”

I believe we are in for a humdinger.

— The writer is a freelance journalist and motorsport expert