Formula 1

• Track features

  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.

• What's it like in Monaco?

  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.

• 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