The Ultimate "Circuit de Monaco"
The Circuit de Monaco consists of the city streets of
Monte Carlo and La Condamine, which includes the famous
harbour. It is unique in having been held on the same circuit every time it has been run over such a long period -only the Italian Grand Prix, which has been held at Autodromo Nazionale Monza every year except 1980 and 1921, has a similarly lengthy and close relationship with a single circuit.
The race circuit has many elevation changes, tight corners, and a narrow course that makes it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One racing. As of 2010, two drivers have crashed and ended up in the harbour, the most famous being Alberto Ascari in 1955. Despite the fact that the course has had minor changes several times during its history, it is still considered the ultimate test of driving skills in Formula One, and if it were not already an existing Grand Prix, it would not be permitted to be added to the schedule for safety reasons. Even in 1929, 'La Vie Automobile' magazine offered the opinion that "Any respectable traffic system would have covered the track with “Danger”sign posts left, right and centre".
Triple Formula One champion Nelson Piquet was fond of saying that racing at Monaco was "like trying to cycle round your living room", but added that "a win here was worth two anywhere else".
Notably, the course includes a tunnel.
The contrast of daylight and gloom when entering or 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."
The fastest-ever lap was set by Kimi Räikkönen in qualifying for the 2006 Grand Prix, at 1m 13.532
Monte Carlo and La Condamine, which includes the famous
harbour. It is unique in having been held on the same circuit every time it has been run over such a long period -only the Italian Grand Prix, which has been held at Autodromo Nazionale Monza every year except 1980 and 1921, has a similarly lengthy and close relationship with a single circuit.
The race circuit has many elevation changes, tight corners, and a narrow course that makes it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One racing. As of 2010, two drivers have crashed and ended up in the harbour, the most famous being Alberto Ascari in 1955. Despite the fact that the course has had minor changes several times during its history, it is still considered the ultimate test of driving skills in Formula One, and if it were not already an existing Grand Prix, it would not be permitted to be added to the schedule for safety reasons. Even in 1929, 'La Vie Automobile' magazine offered the opinion that "Any respectable traffic system would have covered the track with “Danger”sign posts left, right and centre".
Triple Formula One champion Nelson Piquet was fond of saying that racing at Monaco was "like trying to cycle round your living room", but added that "a win here was worth two anywhere else".
Notably, the course includes a tunnel.
The contrast of daylight and gloom when entering or 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."
The fastest-ever lap was set by Kimi Räikkönen in qualifying for the 2006 Grand Prix, at 1m 13.532
The Grand Prix that's more girls than gearboxes: Celebrities and women in
bikinis turn out in force in Monaco for the sexiest race of the year 2012
The Monaco Grand Prix is known as one of the toughest and most treacherous races on the Formula One calendar, featuring cars racing at up to 175 miles per hour through the streets of Monte Carlo.
But with the baking Mediterranean sun and roster of stars -including Will Smith & Nicole Scherzinger- in attendance, today's qualifying was as much about the girls as the grid.
The dozens of yachts in the famous harbour gave sunbathers ample opportunity to watch Michael Schumacher set the fastest time in the session - and catch a few rays.
Model Jessica Michibata, Hamilton's teammate Jenson Button's longtime girlfriend, was also seen in the pit lane, but will have been disappointed with Button's 12th place finish.
The McClaren drivers and their partners were also in attendance
at last night's Hugo Boss pool party, just one of a number of high-profile events to accompany the race.
F1 mogul Bernie Ecclestone's daughters, Tamara and Petra, lit up a charity fashion event yesterday, while Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, 62, was at the centre of the action with his 32 year old wife Elisabetta at last night's opening of his Billionaire club.
But with the baking Mediterranean sun and roster of stars -including Will Smith & Nicole Scherzinger- in attendance, today's qualifying was as much about the girls as the grid.
The dozens of yachts in the famous harbour gave sunbathers ample opportunity to watch Michael Schumacher set the fastest time in the session - and catch a few rays.
Model Jessica Michibata, Hamilton's teammate Jenson Button's longtime girlfriend, was also seen in the pit lane, but will have been disappointed with Button's 12th place finish.
The McClaren drivers and their partners were also in attendance
at last night's Hugo Boss pool party, just one of a number of high-profile events to accompany the race.
F1 mogul Bernie Ecclestone's daughters, Tamara and Petra, lit up a charity fashion event yesterday, while Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, 62, was at the centre of the action with his 32 year old wife Elisabetta at last night's opening of his Billionaire club.