It was 1950 that Formula 1 cars first tore around the streets of Monte Carlo. That was the first outing for a race now deeply entwined in the rich history of the sport, and we’ve had a Monaco Grand Prix every year since 1955 — except for the COVID-stricken season of 2020.
Sure, the track width and car size means this race around Circuit de Monaco is of limited relevance to the rest of the season. Some would even dare call it a bit of a gimmick.
But it is F1’s gimmick and for most romantics, you only need to utter the words Sainte Devote, Portier, and Tabac, to bring some A-grade nostalgia to the fore.
Here are the key circuit facts:
- Circuit length: 3.337 km (2.074 miles)
- Laps: 78
- Lap record: 1:12.909 (Lewis Hamilton, 2021)
- First GP: 1950
You can take a trip around the improbable majesty of Monte Carlo with Madeline Coleman’s circuit breakdown, which is linked below.
