Monaco GP: Still the Crown Jewel or an Outdated Relic of F1?

Over the past week, it was announced by F1 that the Monaco Grand Prix has signed a deal to continue hosting the Grand Prix, for another 7 years, until the end of the 2031 season. But what exactly is the history of the circuit that has been the pinnacle of Motorsport for so long?

The History

The race was founded in 1929 by Antony Noghes, who was supported in his endeavor by Prince Louis II of Monaco and the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM). The first race on April 14, 1929, was won by William Grover-Williams, who was driving a Bugatti Type 35B. In the early years after formation, the glamour quotient of the Grand Prix was driven by its picturesque location in Monte Carlo, the Royal Family of Monaco who ruled over the location and being the only street circuit at that time making it very demanding for the drivers.

After a short pause due to WW2, the resumption of the Monaco Grand Prix took place in 1948. It became part of the first-ever Formula One World Championship in 1950, with Argentinean Juan Manuel Fangio landing the top spot on the podium in the Alfa Romeo car he drove in at the time.

Despite this, it did not feature in the regular calendar during the following years due to financial and logistical constraints, but since 1955 it has secured its place in the F1 calendar, taking place every year since.

In 1956 the excitement created by the marriage of the US actress Grace Kelley to Prince Ranier of Monaco and the ensuing Hollywood connection drove world interest in the principality and with it the Grand Prix to stratospheric levels.

The 1960s was when the Grand Prix first rose to its current famed prominence. During these years, Graham Hill emerged as a dominant figure, earning himself the nickname "Mr. Monaco" for his five victories within the decade. In the ‘80s and ‘90s however, it was Ayrton Senna who became synonymous with Monte Carlo, collecting a record six victories, five consecutively between 1989 and 1993.

After the turn of the millennium and the advent of social media, the status of the principality as an established tax haven with its concentration of wealth, lead to it becoming home for many of the currently active F1 drivers which continued to foment and expand interest in the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Grand Prix of Monaco returned in 2021 after its first cancellation since 1954 due to COVID-19. Today, glamour, tradition, and scintillating action go hand in hand in keeping Monaco as one of the crown jewels of the F1 calendar.

The Track

Monaco's unique circuit is famed for its narrow format, lack of overtaking opportunities, tight corners, unusual elevation changes, and very few if any, if any, run-off areas. All of these features make driver precision an absolute must and any loss of concentration, even momentary, is  likely to be punished by an untimely premature visit to a wall resulting in the end of the race for the driver. The track is not discerning which means even past race winners can just as easily be found wanting, as Sergio Perez, the 2022 winner, found to his regret when he crashed in the 2023 Q1 round, resulting in starting the actual race at the back of the grid ending his chances of winning the race.

The Jewel

When the public at large is asked to name a Formula One Grand Prix, the most common answer was Monaco.

It is the track that every driver wants to master, one third of the famed triple crown that  also includes the; 24hrs of Le Mans race and the Indy 500.

Monaco is arguably the jewel in the crown of the F1 calendar, but as a fan which is the most exciting?

Cover Image Credit: Getty Images