MONACO 

Overview

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the world's greatest and most challenging motor-racing events; the Monaco Grand Prix is at present, the last 'street course' remaining in the Formula One calendar. Monaco is five kilometres (three miles) long and just under one kilometre (half-a-mile) wide, with the exception of the Vatican City, it is the smallest country in the world.

The Monaco Grand Prix is staged around the narrow, winding streets of Monte Carlo. The main attraction of the Monaco Grand Prix is the proximity of the speeding Formula One cars to the race spectators. The twisting 78-lap circuit offers incalculable opportunities for spectators to witness the thrill of screaming engines, smoking tyres and the genius of the drivers over the 263-kilometre race on a course that allows no margin for error.

Specifications:

• Starting time: 14:00 CET
• Local time: CET
• First GP: 1950
• Circuit length: 3,367 km
• Race laps: 78 laps
• Total distance: 260.52 km
• Winner 2006: Fernando Alonso, Renault 
• Fastest lap: Michael Schumacher - 2004, Ferrari  1:14.439 in lap 23

History:

Created in 1929 by Anthony Noghes, president and founder of the Club Automobile of Monaco, to bring international motor sport to Monaco. The first GP was held there in 1929, it was on the calendar for the first year (1950) of the Formula One World Champonship, and it has hosted a round continuously since 1955.

Despite the difficult working conditions for the teams, and the unforgiving nature of the track for drivers and cars alike, the Monaco Grand Prix is seen as a Jewel in the Crown of the Formula One World Championship racing.

The circuit twists and turns through the narrow streets of Monte Carlo and along the harbour front. The track layout has not changed essentially since 1929, but in 1973 the new "Piscine" section was added around the seafront swimming-pool, and three chicanes have been added over the years.

Top of Page | Circuit Menu