Monaco is a constitutional monarchy with Prince Albert II as head of state. One of only three sovereign city-states in the world, alongside Singapore and the Vatican, the tiny tax haven on the Mediterranean coast measures just 2.02 square kilometers (0.78 sq mi) and is home to 38,000 wealthy individuals, including many current and former drivers F1.
Since 1929
The Grand Prix was first organized in 1929 on a track layout that was not much different from today. It wasn’t until Jackie Stewart’s safety campaign in the late 1960s and early 1970s that modifications were made to the circuit to improve safety, such as the addition of Armco barriers. It is one of the four current circuits that were part of the first season of the World Championship in 1950. The others are Silverstone, Monza and Spa-Francorchamps.
The shortest circuit in the F1 calendar
Nelson Pike famously described the circuit as “riding a bike around the living room”. At 3.34 km (2.07 miles) long, the tight and twisty layout of F1’s shortest track presents a real challenge for today’s car and Formula 1 driver. Overtaking is extremely difficult, which makes a good qualifying position all the more important.
Ayrton Senna famously arrived on the Formula 1 scene with a stunning performance at the rain-shortened 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, which saw him finish second in the unpopular Toleman behind Alain Prost. Senna went on to win six times in the principality, the most of any driver, including five consecutive victories from 1989-1993. Other successful drivers in Monaco include Graham Hill (known as “The King of Monaco”, or simply “Mr. Monaco”) and Michael Schumacher, each with five wins to their name. McLaren is the most successful constructor in Monaco with 15 wins.
Monaco drivers
Although almost 40,000 people live in Monaco, only about 5,000 residents are locals or Monegasques. The small principality has produced four riders over the years; Louis Chiron, Andre Testut, Olivier Beretta, and Charles Leclerc. Chiron won the non-championship Monaco Grand Prix in 1931 and also holds the record as the oldest driver to compete in a Formula 1 race. He was 55 years and 292 days old when he finished sixth in the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix! Will Charles Leclerc become the second local driver to win in Monaco?
Triple Crown
The Monaco Grand Prix is part of the so-called “Triple Crown” of motorsport, along with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Only one driver, Graham Hill, has managed to win the triple crown to date, but Fernando Alonso is focused on this unique prize in motorsport. Alonso, a two-time winner of the Monaco Grand Prix, will race for Toyota at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next month and has already had one, unsuccessful attempt at the Indianapolis 500, which is traditionally held at the end of May on the same weekend as Monaco. Grand prize.
Diamonds are (not) forever
To promote the star-studded film “Ocean’s 12” in 2004, the Jaguar team launched a special livery at the Grand Prix, complete with precious diamonds attached to the car’s nose consoles. On the first lap, Christian Klien’s Jaguar hit the barriers and retired from the race. The team was unable to recover the car or even examine the crash site until the race ended two hours later, and of course, the $300,000 diamond was nowhere to be seen! “It’s going to be the most expensive ride I’ll ever drive in Monte Carlo,” Klien said after the race.
Races of attrition
It holds several records for the fewest finishers in a Formula 1 race. In 1966, only four cars were classified (out of 16 starters), while only three cars crossed the finish line in 1996 (although seven were classified). The 1996 Monaco Grand Prix was won by Olivier Panis in a Ligier, who started 14th on the grid and drove a blistering race in wet conditions to take his only victory in Formula 1. Although today’s cars are much more mechanically reliable than those of twenty or thirty years ago year, the tight confines of the track are still hard on the car’s brakes and gearboxes, and the barriers always catch a few drivers in every race, especially those trying to pass the slower car in front!
Official ticket packages for the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix from May 20 to 23 include the best grandstands and hotel suites at the Circuit de Monaco with access to unique insider activities such as appearances by F1 drivers.
A few facts about Monaco would have any globetrotter wanting to visit. Any homeowner interested in sought-after luxury real estate, choose Monaco above the other destination.
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