The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the oldest and most prestigious races in the world.
Created in 1929 by Antony Noghès, the Monaco circuit, designed in the heart of the city, has retained almost its entire original layout, a narrow, winding track, making it one of the most demanding circuits on the Formula 1 World Championship calendar.
Monaco is the birthplace of pole position! Until 1933, starting grids were determined by drawing lots. But in Monaco, where it's difficult to overtake, this system wasn't very fair. Antony Noghès suggested that the best times be used to determine the starting grid, and that the first place should be on the right, on the front row.
The Monaco Grand Prix was also the first Grand Prix to officially adopt the chequered flag (inspired by the one used at Indianapolis) in 1934, and it was only three years later, in 1937, that this flag was incorporated into the AIACR international sporting code and became the universal symbol of victory.
The Monaco circuit measures 3.367 Km.
It starts at Port Hercule, then winds through the streets of Monte-Carlo and La Condamine, with a series of tight bends in the middle of guard rails: the track is narrow and demanding, making overtaking difficult.
After the start line, the drivers head up boulevard Albert Ier and squeeze into the first right-hand bend of “Sainte Dévote”, the scene of numerous clashes on the first lap. They then begin the steep climb up “Beau-Rivage” to the tight left-right of “Casino”. From there, the drivers descend to the “Mirabeau” right-hand bend, followed by the “Grand Hôtel” left-hand hairpin, the slowest bend in the championship. The “Portier” section then leads to the sea, and drivers pass through the tunnel that leads to the chicane near the port. As they exit the tunnel, the fastest section of the circuit, the single-seaters approach 300 km/h. After a short straight on the Quai des États-Unis, there's the left-hand turn at “Bureau de Tabac”, the left-right section at “La Piscine”, then a very difficult right-hand hairpin at “La Rascasse”. Finally, the drivers tackle the “Anthony Noghès” bend before the pit lane and the finish.
This is certainly one of the most demanding circuits on the Formula 1 World Championship calendar. It's the most glamorous, the most prestigious, the most popular and, above all, the Grand Prix that every driver and every team wants to win!