Monaco Grand Prix F1 - GP Tickets Online
Monaco's streets host the best known Formula 1 Grand Prix and as well as a sporting spectacle it is 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.
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
2010 Mark Webber - Red Bull-Ferrari
2009 Jenson Button - Brawn Mercedes
2008 Lewis Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes
2007 Fernando Alonso - McLaren Mercedes
2006 Fernando Alonso - Renault
2005 Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren Mercedes
Dates
13th to 16th May 2011
Mark Webber wins 2010 Monaco Grand Prix
Mark Webber has become the first Australian to win the Monaco Grand Prix since Sir Jack Brabham who won in 1959. Webber lead a Red Bull 1-2 with his team-mate Sebastian Vettel finishing second, and puts Webber into the lead of the world championship, level with Vettel on 78 points.
"Absolutely incredible, for sure this is the greatest day of my life today," Webber said immediately after the race
Webber led from pole to finish for his second victory in a row and fourth of his career.
Robert Kubica who started on the front row, after getting beaten to the first corner by Vettel, finished in third place in his Renault.
Last years winner Jenson Button failed to finish the race after a mixup at the start led to a cover being left on one of his McLaren's radiators. Behind the safety car which came following a lap one incident - the first of four Safety Car appearances.
The Safety Car at the start played right into Fernando Alonso's hands, however, as the former World Champion, starting from the pit lane after wrecking his car in Saturday's final practice, was able to make his compulsory tyre stop immediately, and re-catch the snake of cars who would all then have to stop later.
The safety car made it's final appearance on the 78th lap, all that remained was for the drivers to cross the line again, but an opportunistic Schumacher dived ahead of Alonso, demoting him to seventh place. But the move was deemed illegal by the stewards, who added 20s to the German's race time in lieu of a drive-through penalty, which dropping him to 12th.
The final positions were:
1. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 1:50:13.355
2. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull-Renault 1:50:13.803
3. Robert Kubica (Pol) Renault 1:50:15.030
4. Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1:50:16.021
5. Lewis Hamilton (UK) McLaren-Mercedes 1:50:17.718
6. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Ferrari 1:50:19.696
7. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes 1:50:20.006
8. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Mercedes 1:50:20.325
9. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Force India-Mercedes 1:50:20.660
10. Sebstien Buemi (Sui) Torro Rosso-Ferrari 1:50:21.554
Monaco GP Circuit Map
Monaco Grand Prix - From YourMonaco.com The Monaco Grand Prix
