75 years of racing in Monte Carlo, and it never gets old.

There’s a unique connection between McLaren and Monaco. It’s where our Formula 1 story started in 1966 - 16 years after the race first appeared on the Formula 1 calendar - and has hosted so many of our most celebrated successes. Racing in Monte Carlo evokes iconic images of beloved McLaren drivers, from Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, to Mika Häkkinen and Lewis Hamilton, and many, many others.

As our Championship battles continue, Lando, Oscar and the team are hoping to create fresh memories in the principality. We spoke to them both, as well as Team Principal Andrea Stella ahead of the race to get their thoughts on the famous circuit. We’ve also looked at why we love the Monaco Grand Prix, what its main challenges are, and how you should be dressing. 

“I’m mega excited to be in Monaco this weekend. It has seen so many special moments over the years, so it's always great to race here.

“I've carried on working hard with the team ahead of this weekend to put us in the best place possible to build on the positives from the last few rounds.”

“Monaco was a really strong weekend for me last year and it’s a track that I’ve enjoyed some good results at throughout my junior career.

“It’s always one of the highlights of the calendar and I go into this race determined, hungry and fully focused on the unique challenge that Monaco’s famous streets pose.”

“After a strong start to the triple-header in Imola, we now head to the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most iconic street circuits on the calendar.

“We expect the competition to be closer than ever with potentially a few surprises as the particularities of the Monaco circuit can reward. We remain focused on ourselves and turn our attention to the next part of the triple-header.”

Why we love the Monaco Grand Prix

Where to start? Even with the Las Vegas Grand Prix now on the calendar, it’s very difficult to look past Monaco as Formula 1’s most glamorous race.

Three-quarters of a century on from the first official F1 race in the principality, Monaco remains the crown jewel of the calendar, combining grandeur with grit. While those in attendance - sports, film and music stars among them - are soaking up the lavish atmosphere off track, Lando and Oscar are tackling F1’s ultimate test, searching for the fine line between pushing the limits and grazing the wall.

Watching a McLaren wind its way around the luxurious and historic streets of Monaco is an absolute joy - running up the hill towards Casino Square, before twisting and turning through Mirabeau, the Grand Hotel hairpin, and Portier, and then darting through the tunnel and toward the spectacular yacht-lined harbour.

Located on the French Riviera, Monte Carlo’s awe-inspiring natural beauty is complemented by luxurious hotels and casinos, while those lucky enough to attend the race get a great view of the action, as several spots sit within touching distance of the track.

What are the challenges?

Winning at Monaco is considered a career-defining achievement. Navigating the tight and twisting streets of Monaco requires unimaginable levels of commitment, focus and confidence.

It’s a race where fine margins make a big difference, and the driver is key. A car’s performance is important, but there’s a lot of time to be gained by getting close to the barriers, however, the smallest of errors can end a session.

Overtaking is very challenging, given the narrowness of the circuit and the width of modern F1 cars, so Qualifying counts for a lot. The increased importance of Pole, combined with the spectacle of a lap around Monaco, makes Saturday’s afternoon session a must-watch.

The season so far

Last time out in Imola, we finished the race with Lando in P2 and Oscar in P3, securing our fifth double podium of the season.

Our strong 33-point haul extended our lead at the top of the Constructors’ Championship, with Oscar and Lando first and second, respectively, in the Drivers’ standings.

The fit

Reiss have designed the ultimate luxury, lightweight look for the Monaco Grand Prix, so you can stop pressing your finest three-piece suit.

Put the blazer back in the wardrobe and pull out a pair of linen trousers instead. You’ll then want to cop one of Reiss’ McLaren-inspired short-sleeved Cuban shirts for a classy, smart-casual fit, before completing the look with a pair of SunGod Zephyrs and some clean, white K-Swiss trainers.