Formula One is a world racing championship and the most prestigious competition for drivers of open-wheel racing cars. In Formula One, drivers and technicians compete for the titles of World Driver’s Champion and, respectively, World Construction Champion.
The Monaco Grand Prix is the most important car race in Formula One and in the world. It lasts four days and is held on May 29th at the Circuit de Monaco. It has already been held 78 times before this year. All the participants are required to overcome a distance of a little more than 260 000 km.
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The History of the Monaco Grand Prix
Anthony Nodges, the son of the president of the Automobile Club de Monaco, has founded the Monaco Grand Prix. Albert I, who was a prince of Monaco, entrusted Nodges with establishing the first international motorsport event in the world. The route was covering Europe and ending in Monaco.
The Automobile Club of Monaco was a regional racing club in France. Nodges and others were aiming to go to a new level, but the International Association of Recognized Automobile Clubs rejected the application because there were no motorcycle competitions in Monaco at the moment. They changed their decision after Noghes-Jr. established the Monaco Grand Prix in 1929. The next year, the Monaco Grand Prix became one of the competitions in the European Championship, and in 1950, it became apart of the Formula One World Championship.
Before the war, the Monaco Grand Prix was quickly gaining status, standing alongside other world-famous grand prix competitions. In the war years, the Monaco Grand Prix was canceled and resumed in peace time, excluding the years when any political events postponed the event.
Circuit de Monaco
The Circuit de Monaco Grand Prix is the main aim in the lives of the most successful racers in the world. This is the most complicated route in the Formula One World Championship, where every little mistake can throw all the racer’s efforts away. The path runs between Monte Carlo and La Condamine.
To triumph on the Circuitde Monaco, a racer must overcome a distance of 3,340 km without any errors. Many accidents have happened on this road in recent years, which makes it a dangerous zone that really presses on thenerves.
Due to the length of the Circuit de Monaco and the space it occupies, it takes a month and a half to build the circuit every time. One of the special features of the track is that it includes the slowest corner (the Fairmont Harpin, which requires a speed of 48 km/h), and the quickest corner (going down from the tunnel, taken at 260 km/h). This is the most dangerous of all the other circuits in Formula One.
Monaco Grand Prix Schedule
In contrast with mostraces, the Monaco Grand Prix is located on the streets of the city, and access to the sports ground is restricted. There are ten entrances for grandstands and safe tribunes, where spectators are protected from the dangers of the race by security wire. Some of the most important points in the schedule are the following:
Practice and qualifying sessions
The Grand Prix of Formula 1, the most awaited event of the program, is held on the last day, on May 29th. There are three practice sessions before and one qualifying (held a day before the Grand Prix on Thursday). Each of them lasts for an hour and a half. Drivers use these sessions to learn the circuit: they receive a scheme the day before the race. Teams develop their strategies. After practice sessions, drivers qualify by setting the quickest time on the road. The five slowest drivers then start at the back of the pack.
Formula Regional by Alpine
There are sessions on everyday of the race, excluding the 28th May. This is acompetition for open-wheel single-seater motor vehicles and the racers who ride them. Both starting and professional drivers can compete.
Supercup Porsche Mobil 1
In the Porsche Supercup, drivers are matched up against each other. Points for the participants are given to the top-classified drivers of every round, and up to 24 professionals from 13 teams can race at one time. Each driver is the only person in the car. This is a support race for the Monaco Grand Prix and Formula 1, held on May 27-29 as a part of Formula 2.
Honour Lap and the National Anthem
These are the last events before the Grand Prix – the finishing and most important race. The grand finale honours the Princess and Prince of Monaco, and then the cars are off!
Finally, the GRAND PRIX!
Winners
Not only racers compete,but also constructors and engine manufacturers. Winners don’t get any prize money; instead, their teams pay them higher salaries. Their victory lies in their reputation and achievements, which will be remembered for many years. Teams receive prize money from the committee.
There is a trophy for the winners—an individual hand-crafted trophy travel case from Louis Vuitton.
There are several record-holders in the history of the Monaco Grand Prix. Ayrton Sennada Silva, from Brazil, had the most wins as a racer (6 times). McLarenRacing Limited, a British motor racing team, won 15 times as a constructor.
Further details
The 79th Monaco Grand Prix will take place on the Circuit de Monaco on May 26th – 29th in the Principality of Monaco.
