Monaco Grand Prix: Why Is It Called the Crown Jewel of F1?

Monaco has been an integral part of Formula one’s racing calendar over the past few decades, and one might even claim Monaco Grand Prix to be the biggest racing event in the sport’s history. But there’s another well-known badge that the city carries with itself – the crown jewel of F1.

So, why is Monaco the ‘crown jewel’? Well, firstly, Monaco is one of the oldest cities to host an F1 race, with its first F1 Grand Prix dating all the way back to 1929.

And Monaco is also proved to be the hotspot of F1, with celebrities from different parts of the world joining the grid to cherish the astonishing event. However, there are other reasons why Monaco is being hailed as the greatest circuit in F1.

The scenic beauty of Monaco

The world-famous Circuit de Monaco is one of the most celebrated race weekends in F1, and there are several reasons for the copious admiration.

The scenic beauty that Monaco possesses adds up to the beauty of F1 cars racing along the streets, with hills on one side, and a mesmerizing Mediterranean sea on the other.

What’s more, there are abundant viewpoints for the spectators. A lot of temporary stands are installed through the passage of the circuit. But that is not it. Fans swarm into the harbor using their boats and yachts, parking them near turn 10, 11, and 12.

Meanwhile, the hotels and residential surrounded by the circuits offer fans a bird’s-eye view of the circuit. This provides the circuit a distinguished look that can leave the fans in awe.

Hence, it’s the glitz and the glam that gifted Monaco the prestigious tag of ‘crown jewel.’ Apart from achieving this tag, Monaco GP, along with the Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans, also form the ‘triple crown’ of motorsport.

Unique track layout that adds adrenaline to F1

When it comes to F1, there’s an unwritten rule that the circuits must possess at least one long straight. However, with Monaco, that is never the case. This Western European city has a rather appealing track layout despite the fact that it offers negligible overtaking opportunities.

The circuit contains zero straights, as even the main straight has a bend to it. The nature of the track, too, varies from sector to sector.

While the F1 cars hit the peak of their performances until turn 3, it strolls into a passage where the cars may not be able to exceed an average of 90 km/h. What’s more, the classic hairpin turn 6 is the slowest corner in F1, with cars reaching a low speed of roughly 48 km/h.

Just a couple of turns later, the cars drive through a tunnel, where the drivers manage to unleash the maximum power of their cars. The 2019 Monaco GP witnessed the Monegasque, Charles Leclerc, hit a top speed of a whopping 325 km/h.

Overall, such exhilarating is the history and the facts that Monaco possesses. And amidst the rising hatred for Monaco from the fans, it still stands tall as the pinnacle of F1.