Grand Prix de Monaco »
Circuit de Monaco
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The jewel in Formula One's crown, Monaco is the one race in the calendar that drivers want to win above all others. While the two mile lap may be the shortest seen all year, the Principality's famous streets still place severe demands on the car and requires a unique set-up. It is also widely recognised as the most challenging race of the season from a driver's point of view and the smallest of errors will be punished by the pitiless barriers lining the track.
Securing a good grid position is vital since overtaking is truly problematic. The only corner that offers a real chance of a passing move is Ste Devote. Approached by a curving straight, there's just enough room for a driver to have a crack at making a move, with an escape road for drivers who decide to bail out when they realise they've been just a little too ambitious.
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The one overriding concern at Monaco is downforce. Overall speeds are low and so engineers throw everything they can at their cars to generate downforce and optimise low-speed handling. However, contrary to popular belief, this isn't about the actual corners since many of them are taken at such low speeds that mechanical grip is of greater importance. Instead, high downforce ensures that the car remains stable under braking whilst also optimising traction on the exit.
As a street circuit, the track surface is quite low on grip in the early part of the weekend and will continue to improve unless rain interferes. Then there are the roadmarkings which have a marked influence on grip, especially if it rains. In order to maximise the car's mechanical grip, the teams will use softer suspension settings than normal and soften the anti-roll bars. This helps the car to ride the bumps and changes of camber. This also helps the engine which can easily over-rev if the wheels leave contact with the ground.
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Overview
| Circuit Length: |
3.367 km (2.092 miles) |
| Race Length: |
78 laps (260.5 km, 162.2 miles) |
| Circuit Type: |
Street circuit |
| Direction: |
Clockwise |
| Corners: |
18 (10 right-hand and
8 left-hand corners) |
| Elevation Change: |
High |
| Run-off Area: |
Minimal |
| Maximum G-Force: |
3.7 G |
| Joined Calendar: |
1950 |
| Lap Record: |
1:14.439 (Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004) |
| Av. Temperature: |
19°C |
| Typical Weather: |
Warm, sunny |
| Altitude: |
16 m AMSL |
| Official Website: |
External link |
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High
42%
21%
Medium
Soft / 
Supersoft
14.7 s