Monaco Grand Prix 25th May 2008
 

Without doubt the most iconic grand prix track in the world, the Monaco Grand Prix has been an institution on both the sporting and social calendars since its inception in 1929.

The unique layout of the tight and barrier-lined harbourside street track presents a special challenge to the drivers, who generally either love it or loathe it.


The first world championship race in 1950 set the tone – 10 cars were eliminated in a first-lap shunt.


Five years later Alberto Ascari made history by becoming the only driver to crash into the harbour.


In the 1960s Graham Hill became the acknowledged ‘master of Monaco’ when he took a total of five wins.


Ayrton Senna surpassed even that record by winning six times in seven years between 1987 and 1993.


Michael Schumacher would also become known as a Monaco specialist, taking five victories on the streets.


But he met his downfall in Monte Carlo in his final season, being put to the back of grid for feigning an accident in a bid to obstruct Fernando Alonso’s charge for pole.


The track remains a thrilling throwback to the past, but gradually even Monaco’s face has been changed to bring it into line with more modern thinking.


A permanent pit garage complex was finally built in 2003, with the last few corners reprofiled (using land from the ocean) to make room.


The entry to the swimming pool complex – a left-right blink of the eye at 130mph – remains one of the thrilling pieces of tarmac on the F1 calendar, even if some of its teeth have been drawn now that the barriers have been moved back from the apex.


And the slalom through Massenet and Casino Square and over the crest down to Mirabeau is surely one of the most spectacular places to witness a grand prix car at close quarters.


Monaco is a glorious anachronism – and long may it remain so.

I hate this track when trying to navigate it my self.. i cant seem to the get the f1 cars to go around it correctly. BUT watching it.. i think its OK.. not fun as there is really no passing points. :(

Best track i would say for passing would be the Melbourne's F1 Albert Park Track.

When you say navigate it yourself - and can't seem to get the f1 car around it, are you referring to your glory days as f1 test pilot, or as a spectator? :-P

Perhaps he's talking about video gaming. It's not a great track if you want lots of passing manoeuvres, but it is fantastic just to see cars drive around it.

yup, IMO i think its just a tad bit more about sights and sounds than it is about racing, still very entertaining to watch though. As Bob Varsha said, ''the grandest grand prix of them all"

I was there last year for the GP. Fell absolutely in love with the place.
I agree though that it is probably not the ideal F1 circuit..

Ive allways had the same prob's aswell so i know where your coming from

In terms of all the famous street circuits in the world, Monaco is by far the most organic. Albert Park is part street, and until the Singapore GP, it'll be the closest thing to a proper street circuit. The Gold Coast Champ Car circuit was excellent, but it was also lined with fences and safety barriers. Sensible, but missing the point of a street circuit. Singapore may come close, but it's ruined by the night-time start. Also, the roads chosen are all fairly wide.

The iconic status of Monaco is more than confirmed if you can imagine what would happen if Ecclestone decided to cut it from the calendar. It has great emotional appeal because of the very way it is constructed, or not constructed. It is as if the F1 cars are just racing down the street, because they are.

for me, its just an amazing spectacle

Only 3 days to go!! I'm excited! :-)

Any idea on where the teams are placed? Anyone willing to go out on a limb and make a prediction?

i'd love to see Kubica's BMW on top with the maiden win :D

Wet race predicted for this weekend's Monaco GP
We may finally have the first wet race of the season! Although rain was also predicted in Malaysia and Spain, the races were dry throughout. I'm expecting the race to be incident-filled with traction control banned and the very tight barriers of the circuit. Rain would make it quite exciting (and highly dangerous) and truly a lottery of a race!!

wow if Monte will feature some rain it will be truly interesting to actually watch! :)

I hope no rain. As for my monye i would put it on Hamilton as he seems faster on the corners with the hard tyres. I think he should start with the softs and then work his way to the hards!

If it rains.. then Massa.

If it rains... possibly every team is in with a chance! :twisted: