Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix is the most glamorous event in the Formula One calendar. The race takes place on the Circuit de Monaco along a narrow course that takes in the streets of Monte Carlo with a number of elevation changes and tight corners. The race was included in the first Formula One World Championship in 1950 and with Monaco home to many Formula One racing drivers and team owners the it is extremely popular amongst the racing community and the post race parties are legendary. The race features relatively low average speeds and offers few over-taking opportunities but the circuit is extremely demanding on the mechanics of the cars and racing has often proved to be very dangerous.

2011 Season

The Monaco Grand Prix will take place this year on 29th May and will provide an excellent opportunity for the top teams to re-assert their dominance. However, the headlines may yet be taken by the fact that F1 teams are considering banning the DRS wing for safety reasons.

The Drag Reduction System, or adjustable rear wing, plays an important role in the improvement in overtaking allowing the driver an advantage over the car in front. As such the system might be considered ideal for the Monaco Grand Prix with it’s dearth of overtaking opportunities but the narrow streets and lack of a long straight has led many to believe that the device will be dangerous and should be banned from the circuit.

Overview

The Monaco circuit is world famous with the harbour and hugely expensive yachts providing a glamorous backdrop to this immense race. The circuit is 3.340 km in length with cars completing a total of 260.520 km in 78 laps. The current lap record is 1:14:436 and has been held by Michael Schumacher since 2004.

There are a total of 19 corners, with some navigated at speeds as low as 40 km/h and the circuit is notoriously difficult for overtaking.

History

The Monaco Grand Prix has a long and prestigious history. The race was included as part of the first Formula One World Championship in 1950 and has hosted the teams ever since.

Graham Hill was known as “Mr Monaco” as a result of his five wins at the circuit in the 1960′s and his record stood until Ayrton Senna clinched his sixth victory in the race, still a record, in 1993.

As a prestigious tax haven Monaco is home to many racing drivers including Jenson Button and David Coulthard and after drivers can walk to their home in minutes after the race. In 1988 Ayrton Senna famously retired to his apartment whilst racing continued after crashing out of the lead.

The Monaco Grand Prix is an irreplaceable part of the Formula One calendar and it’s future as part of the has been secured until at least 2020 with a 10 year agreement reached in 2010.

Key Moments

2006

Michael Schumacher causes controversy by parking his car on the circuit during qualifying causing the other drivers to slow for the subsequent yellow flag and prevent and challenge to his pole position. Schumacher starts the race form the back of the grid following an FIA ruling.

1996

Olivier Panis wins despite starting in 14th position as only 4 cars completely the race.

1993

Ayrton Senna produces a superb race to claim his sixth victory at the circuit and break Graham Hill’s long-standing record of five victories that had stood since the 1960′s.

1982

The race sees the lead changing a number of times and Riccardo Patrese bump start his car following a spin to win his first Grand Prix.