Round six of the 2008 season takes the teams to Monte Carlo for the most prestigious motor race in the world. Ahead of this weekend’s race, often referred to as the jewel in the crown of Formula One, we take a look back at its history and pick some fascinating facts about the Grand Prix every driver dreams of winning…
- The Monaco Grand Prix is not only one of the most glamorous races on the Formula One racing calendar, it is also one of the oldest. Run on the tight and twisting streets of Monte Carlo, the event was first held back in 1929 and won by British driver W Williams for Bugatti.
- Graham Hill, who was nicknamed the ‘King of Monaco’, won the celebrated race on five occasions including three successive victories from 1963 to 1965, all for BRM. He returned to the top step of the podium again for Lotus in 1968 and 1969.
- Michael Schumacher also clinched victory in Monte Carlo five times, while Alain Prost took four victories and Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart each won on three occasions. But the record of wins in the Principality resides with the legendary Ayrton Senna, who won six times.
- Of the current crop of drivers, Red Bull’s David Coulthard and Renault’s Fernando Alonso have been the most successful, each clinching victory on two occasions.
- The Monaco circuit is the shortest Grand Prix track on the calendar at 3.340 kilometres. The race distance of 260.520 kilometres is the shortest of the season and nowhere else does a race cover more laps (78).
- McLaren have scored the most victories at the Monaco race (14) and in 2007 recorded their 150th win at the race courtesy of Fernando Alonso. The second most successful team at the track is Ferrari with eight, while Lotus clinched seven, including their maiden victory in 1960.
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