5 Things you might not know about the F1 Monaco Grand Prix

Inspired by Monaco's natural land surface, Noghès, with support from Prince Louis II of France and motorsport driver Louis Chiron, proposed a street circuit for Monte Carlo when Monaco was first established as a colony of Genoa. Though the circuit has remained largely unchanged in its long history, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has accommodated better safety measures on this tricky course.

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At just 3.337 kilometres long, Circuit de Monaco is the shortest track in Formula 1, but it is definitely not the easiest. But what exactly makes it so difficult? Well, there are a couple of things to consider. The Monaco GP is one of the few races held on city streets and not on an actual track. This being said, the streets of Monte Carlo have been designed to be narrow since its inception. As drivers speed through these streets and hairpin turns, they need to be highly accurate because being off even just a slight margin can be a costly error, sending them through barriers along the way.

Despite Monaco being synonymous with the high-octane world of F1, only two Monégasque drivers have ever clinched victory on home soil. This further highlights the challenge that the track presents, even for those who are familiar with the streets of Monte Carlo.

Born in Monaco in 1899, Louis Chiron began his racing career in the early 1920s. His talent caught the eye of both Bugatti, with whom he won the 1931 Monaco Grand Prix and the 1931 French Grand Prix. Though his win in Monaco came predating the official Formula 1 World Championship era, his dedication to the sport and his success on the world stage solidified Louis Chiron's place as a motorsport icon.

Charles Leclerc’s win last May 26 marked a historic moment and fulfilled a lifelong dream. This emotional victory makes him the first Monegasque driver to win in the Formula 1 era and the first since Chiron’s victory in 1931. Leclerc’s racing journey began in karting, where he displayed a raw talent for racing. He quickly rose through the junior series and joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016. In a short period, he drove for Ferrari in Formula One in 2019.

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Born and raised in Monte Carlo, Leclerc grew up hearing the racecars speed through the streets of his home. Though it was a place he knew like the back of his hand, he could not clinch a victory in Monaco in six attempts and two pole positions in 2021 and 2022 prior. Leclerc’s showing at the two Monaco Grand Prix was deemed “Monaco curse” by F1 commentators.

However, 2024 was different. Leclerc dominated most of the weekend, grabbing another pole position on qualifying day and outlasting Oscar Piastri and teammate Carlos Sainz over a 7-second lead. “It’s such a difficult race. It means a lot, obviously. It’s the race that made me dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver one day,” Leclerc shared in a post-race interview.

Monaco’s royal family has a special connection to the Grand Prix—they even have a dedicated balcony overlooking the main straight, offering a prime viewing spot for the race. But the Royal Box isn’t just a viewing platform. Its steps are also used for the post-race awarding ceremonies, where the top three drivers head to the Royal Box to greet the royals and celebrate their victory.

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