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About the Formula 1 race Monaco, Monte Carlo

Circuit/Race info - Formula 1 - Monaco, Monte Carlo

Monaco Monte Carlo circuit description
As a street race held on the Circuit de Monaco, which consists of the actual city streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine, the race has many elevation shifts, tight corners, and a narrow course that make it perhaps the most demanding and the most dangerous track still in use in Formula One racing. In many ways, the Monaco course is an anachronism unsuitable for the race category because the narrow streets make it near-impossible to overtake on the track. However, its history and the spectacle of the event are likely to guarantee the event's future for many years to come, as it is widely considered the jewell of the maximum category.

Region
The Principality has a lot of history in its own right, with the Grimaldi Family having reigned supreme since 1297. In a Formula One context, the track is one of the greatest challenges on the calendar; it staged its first (pre championship) Grand Prix in 1929 and has remained largely unchanged ever since. Celebrities flock to the race like bees to a honey pot because it’s the world’s most glamorous sporting event. To name a few that have visited in recent years: actors Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Hugh Grant and Liz Hurley, soccer star Roberto Carlos and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich. You can take a stroll by the harbour, visit the Jardin Exotique (home to more than 7000 varieties of cacti alone) or walk around the Palais du Prince, the Grimaldi’s official residence for 700 years.

History info - Formula 1 - Monaco, Monte Carlo

Last season info Monaco Monte Carlo
Raikkonen made full use of his pole position, immediately sprinting away from his Renault rival at the start of the race, despite a heavier fuel load. Drama arrived on lap 25, however, when Christijan Albers spun his Minardi at Mirabeau, bringing out the safety car for four laps. Many took the opportunity to dive for the pits, though notably Raikkonen was not one of them. However, what had looked a possible error from McLaren proved to be anything but and the Finn was never seriously challenged. The real race was behind him. Both Renaults were eating their rear tyres at a rapid rate. The result was some thrilling action as Alonso tried, ultimately in vain, to fend off the charging Williams of Nick Heidfeld and Mark Webber who subsequently claimed a double podium for the BMW-powered team, both men scoring their best ever results. Montoya charged through the field to take fifth, with Ralf Schumacher putting in a similarly strong drive to sixth. Michael almost stole his brother’s place in a dash to the line after the champion had muscled his way past team mate Rubens Barrichello on the final lap.

Winner + pole + fastest lap Monaco Monte Carlo
Fernando Alonso (Renault) started from pole position and also won the race itself. Second and third were Juan Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes) and David Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari). Fastest lap was clocked by Michael Schumacher 1:15.143

Historic info Monaco Monte Carlo
The Monaco Grand Prix is held since 1929 in the Principality of Monaco and is considered to be one of the most important and prestigious races around the world. The Monaco Grand Prix predates the organized World Championships; the principality's first Grand Prix race was organized in 1929 by Antony Noghes, a well-to-do cigarette manufacturer and a resident of Monte Carlo, under the auspices of Prince Louis II through the establishment of the "Automobile Club de Monaco" of which Noghes was the founding president. The inaugural race was won by William Grover-Williams driving a Bugatti painted in what would become the famous British racing green color. The Monaco Grand Prix counted toward the European Championship from 1936 to 1939. The Monaco Grand Prix was one of the inaugural races in the Formula One championship in 1950. However, there was no race in 1951, and in 1952 the Monaco Grand Prix took place but was not included within the Formula One championship. Since 1955, the Monaco Grand Prix has taken place each year and has been raced as part of the Formula One championship.

Listings of past winners / teams (last 10 years)
2006 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2005 Kimi Räikkönen (McLaren-Mercedes)
2004 Jarno Trulli (Renault)
2003 Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams-BMW)
2002 David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes)
2001 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2000 David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes)
1999 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
1998 Mika Hakkinen (McLaren-Mercedes)
1997 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
1996 Olivier Panis (Ligier-Mugen-Honda)

Travel info - Formula 1 - Monaco, Monte Carlo

How to get there Monaco Monte Carlo
The nearest international airport is Nice in France. The most hassle-free way to enter the Principality from there is by train, with the journey taking around 40 minutes. Alternatively, it’s a 40-minute drive via the autoroute, or an hour if you take the more picturesque coastal road.

How to get to the track (and back)
The circuit is right in the city itself.

Parking options
Bear in mind, however, that parking in Monaco over the race weekend is very difficult, to say the least.

Where to stay
The F1 Monaco Grand Prix hotels are booked months in advance. If you have the cash, nothing beats the glamour of staying in Monaco itself. The closer you are to the track, the higher the price. A more cost-effective choice is to stay along the coast in one of the quaint seaside towns such as Beaulieu Sur Mer. Other option is Nice. It is very easy to access by train Monaco, distances are short.

Tickets info - Formula 1 - Monaco, Monte Carlo

General information
The Grand Prix de Monaco is the most glamorous of all Formula 1 races. The setting in the streets of Monaco is unique. Grandstands are built at the most difficult locations. With only around 30,000 seats it is always selling quite fast. Problem with a street circuit is that all stands are temporary and they do not offer great comfort. Restrooms are also not great, but you can go into a restaurant and order a drink and use theirs. Prices in for the Monaco GP are also out of this world. The few "cheaper" stands (N, P, X and C) sell out really fast. The General Admission area Secteur Rocher is located to the side of the city centre and is quite literaly a hill side. It is far away from the actual track, but the vibe is great. Racing in Monaco takes place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Viewing quality
The major downside to a street circuit is that the view is limited to the stretch of road in front of your stand. Add to that the fact that they pass really close to the stand so you cannot even see them below the stand the actual time you can see a car is limited to 1-4 seconds per lap. Now, what are the best locations in Monaco? Stand C is a good one as it is locate in the corner entering the tunnel. You need to walk quite a bit to get there though. Stand E in the chicane after the tunnel exit is also good. the large K stand is good, depending a bit on where you are. T high is good as it offers a great view of the new pit lane. Screens are scarce so be careful to choose a stand with one.

Prices
If you want to visit the Monaco Grand Prix you will have to spend a bit of money. There is no comparison with other races. Prices are extremely high with Weekend tickets for the popular K stand at almost 800 Euro. If you are going to spend the money choose different stands for different days. The most popular stands are K High - in the harbor - B - at the Casino - and T High - overlooking the pit lane. Stands N, P and X offer the "cheapest" seats for the Grand Prix at around 300 Euro. The Secteur Rocher is by far the lowest priced ticket at around 80 Euro. The view is very limited from here but there are alot of people on the hill creating a rather unique atmosphere with the sound of the V8's echoing from the the buildings.

Best Deal
The best deal on F1 tickets for the Monaco Grand Prix is the T High stand. Located after the swimmming pool just before Rascasse it offers a view of the newly designed pit lane and has a good screen in front of the stand. You can also decide to take the T Low stand provided you order it before February March as they will sell the highest rows first and you can still get a glimpse of the pit lane action. If you want to visit the other days as well try the K stand for Saturday with a beautiful view of all the boats in the harbor. Budget choice will be the Secteur Rocher but you will not see the cars up close.