Formula One Monaco Grand Prix - Monte Carlo
The Monaco Grand Prix (Grand Prix de Monaco) is a Formula One race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world alongside... [more]
The Monaco Grand Prix (Grand Prix de Monaco) is a Formula One race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world alongside the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, the Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its history, the spectacle of the event, and the glamour associated with it result in the race being considered "the jewel of the Formula One crown".
The first race in 1929, organised by Antony Noghes through the "Automobile Club de Monaco", was won by William Grover-Williams, driving a Bugatti. The event was part of the pre-Second World War European Championship and was included in the first Formula One World Championship in 1950. The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, whose many elevation changes and tight corners make 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.
Brazil's Ayrton Senna won the race more times than any other driver, with six victories, five of them consecutively from 1989 to 1993. However it is Graham Hill, a 5-time winner of the race in the 1960s, who is known as "Mr Monaco". -- Source www.wikipedia.org
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The Monaco Grand Prix is the one race of the year that every driver dreams of winning. Like the Indy 500 or Le Mans, it stands alone, almost distinct from the sport from which it was born. A combination of precision driving, technical excellence and sheer bravery is required to win in Monte Carlo, facets which highlight the differences between the great and the good in Formula One.
The Armco barrier-lined circuit leaves no margin for error, demanding more concentration that any other Formula One track. Cars run with maximum downforce and brakes are worked hard. Overtaking is next to impossible so qualifying in Monaco is more critical than at any other Grand Prix.
The Portier corner is key to achieving a good lap time around Monaco. It is preceded by the Loews hairpin, the slowest corner in Formula One, and followed by the tunnel, one of the few flat-out sections of the track. Some great names have ended their races in the barriers here, most notably Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.
To win in Monaco places a driver's name on a list that includes many of history's all-time greats. Both Graham Hill, the man nicknamed 'Mr Monaco', and Schumacher have won it five times, Alain Prost took four victories, whilst Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart each won here three times. But the record of wins in the Principality resides with the Senna, who won in Monte Carlo six times.
The race has been a regular fixture of the world championship since 1955, but in that time the circuit has changed remarkably little. Slight alterations were made for the 2003 event, in particular a new, gentler entry to the Rascasse corner, with even bigger changes added in 2004, with a new pit complex and increased spectator capacity.
Monaco is approximately 20 minutes from Nice by train and the fast road links make travelling by car or taxi an easy option. There is a helicopter shuttle service to and from Monte Carlo, which takes roughly seven minutes.
France's Nice Cote d'Azur is Monaco's nearest international airport, lying approximately 37km away.
Monte Carlo can be reached by car by using the A7 highway. There are also rail links available from Nice and a shuttle-bus that runs every 15 minutes. Bus journeys to Monaco take around 45 minutes.
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