If you’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy a stroll along Monte Carlo’s glistening yacht-lined harbour, it’ll have stirred up emotions that simply cannot be explained. Even before an engine is revved, you can hear the history of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Look at any section of the track, and you can envisage Alain Prost or Ayrton Senna getting within an inch of the barriers. Glance up, and you can hear the crowd roar. Close your eyes, and you’ll be able to listen to the iconic voice of Murray Walker commentating on it all. There’s more history in one corner of the Circuit de Monaco than many circuits could hope to elapse in a lifetime of races.

In our 60th anniversary season, the race takes on even greater significance. We’ll be donning an extra-special livery for this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, celebrating the race’s place in McLaren’s Triple Crown. To talk you through it all, we’ve gotten the thoughts of Lando, Oscar and Team Principal Andrea Stella.

Critical info

Round	7
Where	Circuit de Monaco
When	26 - 28 May
Lights out	15:00 local / 14:00 MTC
Follow	The website and the McLaren App for LIVE commentary and team radio

“Firstly, I’d like to send my best wishes to everybody affected by the flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region. We all love racing at Imola, but safety comes first, and I support the decision for last week’s Grand Prix to be cancelled. We’ll be back, and I hope everyone remains safe during these difficult times.

“Circuit de Monaco is a historic track with great memories for both me and the team. My 2021 podium is a moment I am extremely proud of. This year, as McLaren celebrate their 60th anniversary, we’ll be taking on the race with a special Triple Crown livery on the MCL60, which I'm really excited about.

“Whilst results haven’t been what we wanted so far this year, everyone at the track and factory is determined to push forward and score points over the double-header. We’ll work hard, and our full focus is on developing race by race.”

“The events in the Emilia-Romagna region have affected many people and my thoughts are with them all during this difficult time. I hope everyone can stay safe and continue to receive the support they need. The safety of everyone is the main priority, and I look forward to racing at Imola for the first time in the future.

“I’m looking forward to this weekend’s race as I return to Monaco for the first time since my double podium during the 2021 F2 Championship. It will be an interesting and enjoyable challenge to tackle the Monte Carlo circuit in an F1 car, and to be able to do that with McLaren in the MCL60’s Triple Crown livery is a very special moment.

“Preparation for the race has gone well with plenty of simulator work and I'm learning more and more in every session behind the wheel. As a team, we are fully focused on making the steps forward to develop more performance out of the car and the May-June double-header is a great opportunity to do that.”

Formula 1’s crown jewel

Whether it’s the circuits, the cars or the rules and regulations, Formula 1 is constantly evolving, but Monaco is the exception to the rule. If it was introduced in the modern day, the circuit would never be allowed, and yet a lap of the Circuit de Monaco remains pretty much the same as it did back in 1929.

For good reason, too. Watching on from the side-lines, there are times when the cars are so close you can almost touch them, and as they brush past the barriers, you feel the grandstands physically shake, blowing dust and debris into the air. It all feels like something out of a film.

But, inside the car, it is very real. Navigating the tight and twisting streets at high speed is incredibly difficult and requires complete commitment, or else you’ll find yourself in the wall and out of the session.

Overtakes may be few and far between, but it’s a track where a driver can really make a difference. If you can find the fine line between pushing the limits and exceeding them at Monaco, then you can outperform those with faster machinery, but a more cautious style.

And although it isn’t the most high-speed lap of the calendar, the lack of width, combined with the stunning backdrop, seems to add several KPH.

Last time out

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled due to extreme flooding in the area.

Prior to that, we had endured a tricky race in Miami, where Lando and Oscar had been unable to make up any ground following a difficult qualifying session. Although, their efforts weren’t helped by a healthy helping of misfortunate, with Lando getting hit from behind by Nyck de Vries on Lap 1 and Oscar suffering from mechanical issues.

We’re currently fifth in the standings with 14 points from two top-10 finishes in the opening five rounds. Lando will be looking back to the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix for inspiration, with the British racer taking a historic podium in the principality two seasons ago. Oscar has also enjoyed prior success in Monte Carlo, with the Australian scoring two podiums in one round during the 2021 Formula 2 season.

Setting the scene

Even with the addition of several high-profile races to the Formula 1 calendar, the Monaco Grand Prix remains the most glamorous event of the season. Located on the French Rivera, it’s the most luxurious of settings, with the Prince’s Palace, grand hotels and casinos, lavish yachts and spectacular natural beauty complimented by extravagant parties and celebrity appearances.

As a fan, there are few better opportunities to get as up close and personal with a Formula 1 Grand Prix than in Monte Carlo. The circuit’s small size makes it accessible and walkable, especially in the evenings when the track opens itself back up. The final sector, which features a slew of bars and restaurants, is even closed to traffic, making it the ultimate night-time spot.

If you’re fortunate enough to be attending in person, you’ll want to sample some traditional Monegasque cuisine. There’s plenty on offer, but among the most extravagant are Stuffed Zucchini flowers, Truffle and Foie Gras Torte, and a seafood-based stew called Bouillabaisse.

"I’d like to start by sending my deepest thoughts and sympathies to the people of Emilia-Romagna during such difficult and challenging times. It was imperative that we put the safety of the residents, our team, our fans and F1 colleagues first, and that we did not further impact the local authorities and emergency services.

“As we return to racing this week at the Monaco Grand Prix, we will have all those affected by last week’s events in mind.

“Our work at the factory has continued to develop well as we focus on preparing the next stage of upgrades, which will be introduced in coming races with the ambition of making the MCL60 more competitive.

“However, the next stop is Monaco, a unique event and challenging track for the team and the drivers, with little margin for error. The historic settings of Monte Carlo provide a great backdrop for racing and it’s one we love to attend. This year, Triple Crown celebrations make the weekend even more special, and we look forward to it.”

Set your alarms 

Free Practice 1	07:30 ET / 12:30 BST / 21:30 AET
Free Practice 2	11:00 ET / 16:00 BST / 01:00 AET
Free Practice 3	06:30 ET / 11:30 BST / 20:30 AET
Qualifying	10:00 ET / 15:00 BST / 00:00 AET
Race	09:00 ET / 14:00 BST / 23:00 AET

Stat pack

• The first Monaco Grand Prix was held in 1929

• The Circuit de Monaco is 2.074 miles long, making it the shortest track on the F1

• We are the most successful team at the Monaco Grand Prix, with 15 wins

• Senna has more wins than any other driver at Monaco, with six

• We have led more laps of the Monaco Grand Prix than any other team, completing 916 laps in first place

• Only 14 of the 34 F1 World Champions have won Monaco

• Our founder, Bruce McLaren, won the Monaco Grand Prix with Cooper in 1962

• Prost won our first Monaco Grand Prix

• Mika Häkkinen, David Coulthard, Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have also all won the Monaco Grand Prix for McLaren

• Lando scored a podium at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix, finishing third

• Oscar took two podiums at Monaco in the 2021 F2 season, finishing second in the Feature Race and Sprint Race 2

The fit: Royally Retro

Get your hands on the most majestic drop of the year before it’s gone! Our Triple Crown collection celebrates the most prestigious achievement in all of motorsport, taking inspiration from the three biggest races: The Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

As the only team to achieve the Triple Crown in the last 100 years, the range grants you access to an exclusive club. It’s a classy collection that comes with that vintage vibe that never gets old.