Monaco set to be star-struck.

One of the 'highlights' of any Monaco Grand Prix weekend is spotting the stars of stage, screen and sport who inevitably get invited to the Principality to add a little more glamour to the proceedings.

Past guests have included the likes of rapper P Diddy, rock star Bono, actor Wesley Snipes and soccer star Pavel Nedved, who were all in attendance last season, but, this year, the focus will fall firmly on Hollywood, as Jaguar's tie-up with the new Ocean's 12 movie promises some big names in the paddock.

The sequel to the ultra-successful remake of Ocean's 11 is being paraded on the nose and engine cover of the three R5s this weekend, and the paddock rumour mill is working itself into a frenzy with suggestions that star turns George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts are all due to attend the grand prix on Saturday and Sunday.

Even before his latest film comes out, Pitt will be a big draw, having recently seen his Greek epic Troy hit the silver screen - albeit to mixed reviews - while Clooney has already made his mark on the Jaguar team....

Asked what the various new logos and slogans on his teamwear meant, lead driver Mark Webber confirmed the Hollywood link, but insisted that he was trying for a role of his own.

"I'm trying to get a role in Friends!" he joked in Wednesday's press conference, seemingly unaware that the US comedy has already reached the end of its long run, "It is off now though because they knew my salary was too high!"

"Still, I am just rapt to be here with Wayne Rooney - I mean George Clooney! - and all those guys," the Aussie continued, before admitting that the stars likely to be circulating around him would not be so blinding as to impede his progress on the weekend.

"Once I am in the car, it is no problem at all," he insisted, "I always want to get a good result. [Monaco] hasn't been lucky for us in the past but, hopefully, we can change it here."

The Australian's luck did not appear to have changed in the opening practice session, however, as his car ground to a halt with a suspected engine fire after just eight laps.

Should the engine need to be changed, Clooney, Pitt and Roberts could all find themselves at the wrong end of the grid on Sunday - and out of the limelight for once.