Monaco Grand Prix F1 - GP Tickets Online

 

The streets of Monaco home to the most well known Grand Prix on the Formula One calendar. As well as a sporting spectacle it is also one of Europe's premier social highlights of the year, with the best yachts in the world visiting the Principality and celebrities staying in the Monaco hotels such as the Hotel de Paris, the Columbus and the Grand, with many others staying in Nice.

The Monaco Grand Prix (French: Grand Prix de Monaco) held each year on the Circuit de Monaco, is considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (with which it forms the Triple Crown of Motorsport). The history, spectacle and glamour result in the race being considered "the jewel of the Formula One crown".

 

Overview

The Grand Prix is 78 laps on a 3.340 km (2.075 mi) circuit,which races around the narrow, winding 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. The Circuit de Monaco is one of the most exciting in the world, with little room for driver error.

The course has had some minor changes several times during its history, to improve safety but is still considered the ultimate test of driving skill 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.

One of the most notable features of the course includes the tunnel. The contrast of light and dark as the drivers enter/exit the tunnel are not faced elsewhere. 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. 

 

2012 GP Dates

The 2012 Monaco Grand Prix will be held from 24th May till 27th May.

Future Grand Prix dates;

May 24 to 27, 2012
May 23 to 26, 2013
May 22 to 25, 2014

 

History

Since the first Grand Prix on April 14 1929, organised by Monte Carlo resident and founding president of the Automobile Club de Monaco Antony Noghes, and was won by William Grover-Williams driving a Bugatti. The event was part of the pre-Second World War European Championship and was included in the first Formula One World Championship in 1950. The average fastest speed has risen from 50mph (80 kph) to 88mph (143 kph).

 

Recent Winners

2011 Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull-Renault
2010 Mark Webber - Red Bull-Renault
2009 Jenson Button - Brawn Mercedes
2008 Lewis Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes
2007 Fernando Alonso - McLaren Mercedes
2006 Fernando Alonso - Renault
2005 Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren Mercedes

 

Sebastian Vettel wins 2011 Monaco Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel drove his Red Bull-Renault to win his first Monaco Grand Prix extending his lead in the Formula 1 Championship even further. The German raced home just seconds ahead of two former world champions to win in Monaco, the biggest race on the Formula 1 calendar.

Amazingly Vettel drove most of the race, 61 laps, on the same set of tires after changing them on lap 16. The reigning world champion won on a one stop strategy after a 72nd lap crash forced a restart with only six laps to go leaving Sebastian to win a dramatic sprint to the line.

"It's unbelievable, and I think the race obviously was pretty entertaining, at least inside the car," Vettel said after the race. "I'm honored to put my name on the list of previous winners here."

The first appearance of the safety car in 2011 was due to a collision between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa, with the Ferrari knocked out of the race.

Fernando Alonso finished second for the first time in 2011, with Button third and Red Bull's Mark Webber fourth. In a F1 season of spectacular races under the new rules this was definately the best yet, bring on 2012!

The final positions were:

1. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull-Renault
2. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Ferrari
3. Jenson Button (UK) McLaren-Mercedes
4. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault

Monaco GP Circuit Map

 Monaco Grand Prix  - From YourMonaco.com