PREVIEW – Monaco Grand Prix

Round six sees Formula One head to the narrow winding streets in the principally of Monaco. First held in 1929, the circuit is largely unchanged and winds its way through the city-state as cars reach high speeds. Monaco is one of the most recognisable circuits, with corners like Rascass, the Swimming Pool, and Casino Square.

Monaco presents drivers with a difficult challenge, but it’s a challenge the drivers love taking just one year. The drivers love the gilts and the glamour which attracts models, film stars and millionaires. The weekend takes place following the Cannes Film Festival, and the circuit provides parties for many of the rich and famous. The tiny city-state is home to many drivers past and present in some cases acting as their second home race

The race itself provides drama, as overtaking is difficult and the tiniest mistake will have huge consequences for the drivers. All this means that safety cars are highly likely, with the race being more about strategy than pace.

 Facts and figures

Event timetable

What happened in 2016?

Lewis Hamilton took victory aided by a good strategy by his Mercedes team and the changeable weather conditions. Hamilton’s victory came at the expense of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo as the team weren’t ready when he made his first stop, allowing the Mercedes driver to get ahead.

Force India also used a clever tyre strategy switching him early on to the hard tyre. That allowed the Mexican to hold off the Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel and McLaren’s Fernando Alonso finished fifth there equal best result since returning to Honda power. It was another disappointing day for Max Verstappen who crashed for the third time of the weekend bringing out the safety car.

Full Race Report Full Result

2015 vs 2016 Race Data

Data Profile

A lap of Monte Carlo

Daniel Riccardo set himself up nicely taking the perfect line through Saint Devote drivers perfectly up the hill through the kink at two and up perfectly to the outside to enter Casino Square. Where he takes the corner beautifully running down the hill.

Into the Mirabeau corners to the inside a the first one before crossing the track for the second part of the corner down to the Hotel Hairpin turns in perfectly for the exit. Nicely thought turns six and seven and eight before setting himself for the run through the tunnel and down to the chicane.

Neatly done, before the flat out run through Tabac before the short run to the Swimming Pool section takes kerb on both entry and exit of the chicane on the entry and exit. Heads to Rascasse where he takes a good line heading to the last two corners good turn through both and on the last one gets a good run to cross the line taking pole.

Tyres