Recent Monaco Grand Prix Winners

2012 Mark Webber(Red Bull)

2010: Sebastien Vettel(Red Bull)
2010: Mark Webber (Red Bull)
2009: Jensen Button (Brawn)
2008: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes)
2007: Fernando Alonso (McLaren Mercedes)
2006: Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2005: Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren Mercedes)
2004: Jarno Trulli (Renault)

The Race

The initial Monaco Grand Prix (pre-Formula 1) took place in 1929. Anthony Noghès, through the Automobile Club de Monaco, organised this maiden event. William Grover-Williams won the race driving a Bugatti. This first race was part of the pre-Second World War European Championship.

In 1946, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) defined a new premier-racing category. This new racing category was Formula 1. A Monaco Grand Prix ran to this formula in 1948 and the popularity of the event was shown by a good number of Monaco Grand Prix tickets sold. Future world champion Nino Farina won this race in a Maserati 4CLT. Organisers cancelled the 1949 race because of the death of Prince Louis II.

The race received inclusion in the new Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship in 1950. The practice session for the race takes place on the Thursday preceding the race instead of Friday. This facilitates the streets opening to the public again on the Friday. Over the years, this race has proved a supreme test of driver's skill and daring. It remains the signature event of the Formula 1 racing season each year and an industry has built up around Monaco Grand Prix hospitality.

The Circuit

The Monaco F1 circuit consists of narrow streets, which climb, descend and require utmost driver accuracy. The course also has a tunnel that racers must enter, negotiate and exit; all the while adjusting their eyes to darkness and abruptly to daylight again.

Tight turns are the order of the day as well. The race is 78 laps on a course that is 3.340 kilometers or 2.075 miles in length. The race distance is 260.520 kilometers (roughly 157 miles). The circuit includes the city streets of Monte Carlo close to Casino Square and La Condamine, including the world-famous Monaco harbour

The Drivers

Drivers extraordinaire have graced the Monaco Grand Prix since its beginning. Monaco itself has produced three native Formula 1 drivers. These were Louis Chiron, André Testut, and Olivier Beretta.

Top winners at the Monaco F1 include Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna with six victories, British driver Graham Hill and German driver Michael Schumacher with five wins each. France's Alain Prost garnered four first-pace finishes. Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart of Britain secured three victories each.

McLaren, Ferrari and Lotus have the most Monaco F1 constructor wins, with 15, 9 and 7 respectively.

When

May 23 to 26, 2013
May 22 to 25, 2014

Did You Know?

That the best sections for viewing the race are A1, A4, V, Z1 and Z2, worth considering when ordering your tickets and Monaco Grand Prix hospitality packages.

That many residents rent out their terraces for the event to offer prime viewing spots for race fans? Your travel agent will have more information about this.

That hotel rooms are highly sought after for the Monaco F1. It's best to reserve well in advance, and if that is not feasible, plan to stay in Menton, Nice or other nearby towns. You can then take a train or a bus into Monaco for the race.

Several Grand Prix tour operators book reservations for the event? Check them out on the Web under Monaco Grand Prix hospitality packages.

If you're driving into Monaco during Grand Prix time it's a sure recipe for short tempers! Access is very restricted and parking is non-existent during the race weekend in Monaco. Alternative methods of transportation are necessary for having a stress-free time.

The average temperature in  May, when the race runs, is 68F, and the Principality has a mild climate, with over 300 days of sunshine per year.

Two drivers have crashed and ended up in the harbour? One of them, Alberto Ascari, in 1955, went into the harbour after missing a chicane.

When Graham Hill of Britain won the F1 race five times in the 1960s, he earned the nickname 'King of Monaco' and the number of tickets sold in the UK soared.

A day of premier racing in a royal setting is available for race aficionados and holidaymakers seeking a unique travel experience. The race is an event that appeals to both groups - it combines elegant social events with precision racing in a graceful manner befitting its setting, and several companies offer Monaco Grand Prix tickets.

Whether you're booking travel independently or using a company that offers hospitality, we hope you have a good time, and with demand high it’s worth getting your Monaco Grand Prix tickets well in advance.

Mark Webber Makes It A Red Bull Hat-trick

Constructor Red Bull made it three wins in a row when Mark Webber took the chequered flag to win the 2012 race, and the pressure is already on to see if they can extend that to four in a row in 2013.

It was Webber's second win in Monaco, and the first Australian to win twice - Jack Brabbham also won in the past but didn't repeat his victory.

A little rain towards the end added to the excitement, with those lucky enough to have tickets getting out the umbrellas for the last few laps.

The prizes were presented by the Royal Family, with Princess Charlene again adding real glamour to the event.

More information about Monaco is available with monacoproperty.net including Monaco property for sale and for those interested in the Principality's tax haven status details of the banks in Monaco