Circuit Information
Winding through the streets it is a circuit that has remained remarkably unchanged since the first race was staged in 1929. Before the war the circuit was witness to several great battles, with the legendary Tazio Nuvolari often among the winners. When World Championship racing began in 1950 Monaco played host to the second race, just a week after the first round at Silverstone. That race resulted in a massive pile-up on the very first lap and provided Fangio with his first ever championship victory. Since then the race has been plagued by a high attrition rate that has thrown up some unusual victories over the years. The combination of narrow roads, high kerbs and the close proximity of some unforgiving crash barriers, many a great driver has suffered at the hands of a track that quickly punishes the slightest error in judgement.
One memorable race came in 1955, the year that is best remembered for Alberto Ascari's trip into the harbour, a feat that was later emulated by the Australian driver Paul Hawkins. Both men survived their dunking although a number of driver's have not been so lucky. Luigi Fagioli was killed in a sports car race here in 1952 and Lorenzo Bandini was burned to death in 1967. Other driver's have far happier memories of the place. Graham Hill, for years known as 'Mister Monaco', won here five times. A record he held until the arrival of Ayrton Senna. The mercurial Brazilian dominated the circuit with six wins, five of them in consecutive seasons.
Coming out of Casino the cars get a chance to accelerate briefly along a short straight before they enter one of the most complex sections of the course. The Virage Mirabeau is approached downhill in 4th at 130 mph, requiring fast gear changes to get into 2nd gear for this bumpy right-hander, taken slowly at 30 mph. Out of this comes the short approach to the Virage Loews, a left-hand hairpin negotiated in 2nd gear at about 20 mph with the steering turned full lock, then right - this is one of the most famous TV and photographic views in F1. The turns are ended by the Virage du Portier, another sharp right-hander cleared in 2nd gear at 50 mph.
Coming out of the turns, the cars start on a long sweep through the Tunnel. Noise and sparks fly as the cars change up to 5th gear and 145 mph. Once out of the tunnel, left-right Nouvelle Chicane is approached at 175 mph before drivers change down to 2nd gear and a sedate 30 mph. The most spectacular and glamourous part of the course is Tabac, lying, as it does, alongside the harbour, which is driven through at 95 mph in 4th gear. Piscine or the Swimming Pool complex provides a short kink in the circuit which pushes the drivers through a succession of gear changes and speeds ranging from 50 mph to 100 mph. This section of the circuit underwent major revision prior to the 1997 Grand Prix to make it safer.
Virage de la Rascasse is the slowest part of the circuit with a very tight hairpin that is taken in 1st gear at a crawling 20 mph. Along a very short straight and a faster right-hander, Virage Anthony Noghes, is taken in 2nd at 45 mph before accelerating and climbing upwards into the Start-Finish straight.
Locations: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Lap : 3.340km/2.075 miles | Offset : 0.000km | Race : 78 Laps - 260.520km/161.887 miles
Monaco Grand Prix: is a street circuit with a true F1 history.
Drivers just want to be part of it - the Monaco experience.
'Walk the Circuit'
Take the Start Line and walk the circuit, taking time to see the 11th Century Church at St Devote. Shop at Cartier, Hermes and Christian Dior. Then it's into Casino Square with the famous Belle Epoque Casino and the Hotel de Paris. Why not make a Pit Stop in the Café de Paris.
Walk down the Hill passed the Tip-Top Bar & the Living Room Disco taking care on the hairpin at Mirabeau (look at the sea views or enjoy the beach at Larvotto). Don't miss the Grand Hotel and its Casino at Loews a full lock left hand 2nd gear 20mph bend, before the sharp right at Portier.
Now it's into the tunnel bend, look left as you exit and notice the small tourist / F1 shop. Take in the views of Monaco Harbour before you arrive at the Chicane. Then it's a sharp left at Tabac, as you go around the Swimming Pool, spot the Rich & Famous lounging on their Yachts.
As you arrive at the Rascasse hairpin you find yourself at the start of the Paddock area. At night you can visit the Stars 'n' Bars with the Palace and Historic Old Town perched above you on the Rock. On the far side of the Rock is the New Town of Fontvieille, where a number of F1 old and New drivers live.
The Circuit:
Monaco is unique, and to many the annual blast round the streets of the tiny principality represents the jewel in the crown of Formula One. With its legendary casino and countless rows of millionaires' yachts in the harbour, Monaco is a glamorous place that lies at the very heart of the jet-set. It is also unique in that for many of the drivers the race is run on their doorstep, with the same streets they use for a daily trip to the newsagents, transformed into a race track.
A Quick Lap:
The start of the Monaco Grand Prix is all about getting to, and through, the very first corner safely. Do that and you have a chance! The Virage de Sainte Devote is a near 90-degree right-hander that is approached from the Start-Finish line at 170 mph. Then, it´s a hard brake at -3.6 g and down to a 2nd-gear 55 mph for cornering. The Monté du Beau Rivage is a short straight that takes the cars past the world famous Rosie´s Bar in 6th gear at 165 mph and then it´s over the crest of the hill and down to 4th gear as Virage Massenet beckons. A long left-hander, the car must be kept close to the inside kerb in 3rd gear at 80 mph. The cars then come to Virage Casino which is a quick right-hander that is taken in 2nd gear at 70 mph.
