Formula 1 rolls out from the street of Imola to Monte Carlo. This weekend F1 is back at the Grand Prix de Monaco. It is one of the oldest tracks on the calendar where the first F1 race was held in 1929. Monaco became part of the FIA World F1 Championship in 1950. It is considered one of the most pretigious races in the world after the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours Of Lemans. Together they form the triple crown of motorsport.
The race is held on the streets of Monaco with numerous elevation changes that appear on the track and surpass through the tunnel, making it one of the special features of this track. Despite being one of the most dangerous tracks with its sharp turns and narrow straights, it is still one of the most demanding F1 tracks on the calendar. Here’s everything you need to know about the Monaco Grand Prix F1 racing track.
History Of The Circuit de Monaco: Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the oldest F1 race tracks that host races from the F1 genre. With Silverstone, Spa, and Monza, it is the fourth circuit that has been part of the driver’s championship since the beginning. The first race in Monaco was held in 1929, under the viewership of Antony Noghes who was governed by the King known as the Prince Louis 2. The track was built and managed by the club known as the Automobile Club de Monaco which was also responsible for hosting the Rallye Automobile Monte.
This track has its pre-historic war history as it was the epi-center of automobile brands to test and race their cars against other automotive brands and show its dominance by winning the races. After the war ended the Circuit de Monaca became the famous race track after Silverstone, Belgium, Spa, and Monza. As the track is situated in the heart of the city of Monte Carlo, it takes 6 weeks, and more than 300 workers are required to assemble the circuit as the circuit is inherited under the beads of Monte Carlo and La Condamine. The track is usually a public transport road which is used by the locals for transport.
The track is a temporary street circuit but gives permanent adrenaline, and excitement and the whole city delves into the magnificent drive engaged by the sea, clubs, and fastest cars on the planet. With 300 workers needed to construct the track, the more challenging is to disassemble the circuit as it will take another 3 weeks to bring back normal public road transport. The Circuit de Monaco will also be the special race track in the history of Formula 1.
Stats Of The Circuit de Monaco: Monaco Grand Prix
The Circuit de Monaco is situated on the banks of the sovereign city of Monaco and the La Condamine. The track itself lies within the streets of Monte Carlo. The total length of the track is estimated to be about 3.337 kilometers, making it one of the shortest F1 race tracks in the history of F1. The track has only one DRS detection zone and comprises 19 challenging turns encapsulated into three different sectors. With narrow tight corners and elevational changes hairpins, the track requires some exceptional driver skills to control the car.
The Sector 1 of the circuit drives through the heart of the action. Turn 1 also known as the Sainte-Devote corner, is a sharp right turn that requires perfect acceleration and driving precision. Then the car moves ahead to the Casino Square which leads them to the Monaco Harbour. The last turn of Sector 1 comes the Mirabeau Corner which makes cars slower to execute overtakes if possible. Now comes the most astonishing feature of the Monaco Grand Prix, the Tunnel while exiting the Tunnel comes a Portier Kink that requires a skillful braking and overtaking opportunity leading to the harborside section.
Track Length | 3.337 KM |
Total Laps | 78 |
Pitstop Time Loss | 19.2 seconds |
First GP Winner | Juan Manuel Fangio (1950) |
Last GP Winner | Max Verstappen (2023) |
The final Sector 3 of the track has some challenging hairpins and sudden elevational changes. The Nouvelle Chicane is one of the fastest sectors on the track that provides another overtaking opportunity. The final corner is the Rascasse corner, which leads drivers to the main grandstand and drive to the finish line. The total laps required to host a modern race in Monaco is used to 78 laps.
Records Made At The Circuit de Monaco: Monaco Grand Prix
The Circuit de Monaco Racing track is acquainted with a couple of records in the history of F1.
First F1 Grand Prix | 1929 ( pre-war)/ 1950 (FIA-approved races) |
Most Pole Positions | Ayrton Senna (5) |
Most Grand Prix Wins | Ayrton Senna (6) |
Lap Record | Lewis Hamilton, 2021 (1m 12.909 seconds) |
Total Laps | 78 |
What’s your thought on the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix? Will Max Verstappen again dominate the Monte Carlo circuit or Lewis Hamilton will clinch back his championship reign winning last in 2019? Tell us in the comment below.
