Coulthard has won 10 of his team's 14 points so far this season

Coulthard, who lives in Monte Carlo, won the glamorous race in 2000 but Red Bull have struggled against the bigger teams in 2005, winning only 14 points.

However, Coulthard said: "You don't see the big difference between cars and drivers around Monaco as in the past.

"There is a line through the corners and if you are really in a sweet spot you are right on that line."

In the absence of the banned Jenson Button, Coulthard will be the only British driver in the race.

Despite being one of the most experienced drivers on the circuit, he is taking nothing for granted when it comes to the unique challenge of Monaco.

"We are very open-minded about what we are going to get there," he said.

"I know if we wish to take a step up it's essential for us to get into the top eight in qualifying.

"If for whatever reason we see that the machine isn't talking to the drivers we'll be where we have been.

"But the goal has to be to use that opportunity to get in amongst them because it is a track that requires a bit of a different set-up, and if you feel confident then you can really extract a little bit extra as a driver."