The Monaco Grand Prix is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is a dangerous place to race. Notably, the course includes a tunnel. The contrast of daylight and gloom when entering/exiting the tunnel presents “challenges not faced elsewhere”, as the drivers have to adjust their vision as they emerge from the tunnel at the fastest point of the track and brake for the chicane in the daylight
There are 17 Grands Prix on the calendar and they all count for the same amount of points, but one race stands above all the others in terms of pure spectacle, glamour and prestige: the Monaco Grand Prix. The tiny Principality has hosted 55 F1 races since 1950 and, despite its anachronistic nature, is a real classic that is universally popular with teams and drivers.
The track roars uphill down one of Monaco’s main streets towards the casino, down via a sequence of turns and hairpins into the tunnel and then skirts round the harbour packed with yachts, rounds the Rascasse and back towards the casino.
Adrian Sutil has held the F3 lap record round the Principality, a feat he achieved in 2005 when he was team-mate to McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, and was a spectacular fastest during last year’s Saturday free practice. In 2008 he came close to a dramatic fourth position but was hit by Raikkonen just four laps from the end. Giancarlo Fisichella has meanwhile competed in every Monaco Grand Prix since 1996 and celebrated his 200th race start at last year’s event.
ADRIAN’S View
Driver quote - Adrian Sutil Monaco is one of my favourite tracks, along with Spa. It’s very narrow, very small and then there’s the prestige value associated with it. For the last two years I’ve had a great result somehow, especially last year, so I really look forward to it. It’s a great race weekend. It starts on Thursday, so also makes it a longer than the others - a good point as you’ve got more time to soak up the atmosphere.
I have only good feelings about going back. At the end of the race, it was a drama, but also a success. Nobody thought we could do that, so I am happy about going back. Hopefully I can do something similar again. It seems to be my good luck circuit.
I like street racing a lot. It feels very different as you have to take more risks but it’s more thrilling. A driver who is prepared to take risks can get a lot more out of a street circuit - if you feel good then you can do well. It’s all or nothing, real car racing. You can’t make mistakes, or you end up in the wall, so it’s old style racing. On other circuits like Bahrain you can try anything and not get it too wrong, so it feels easy. Monaco is really hard work.
