Why Is the Monaco GP Such a Big Deal in F1?

Monaco GP is the crown jewel of F1. A race that every driver dreams of winning. All the greats of the sport have at least won this race once. Despite receiving criticism for being a slow track that promotes minimum overtaking chances, Monaco is still the most iconic race and a very big deal in F1. But why is Monaco such a big deal? Let’s find out what the hype is all about.

Monaco is a 2.074-mile-long circuit with the slowest average speed around on the F1 calendar. What many don’t understand is how old the Monaco circuit design actually is. The Formula 1 that we know today was inaugurated in 1950. However, the first race at Monaco was held in 1929, long before F1 became a thing. This long history of racing is a major reason why the Monaco Grand Prix is a big deal. 

While Monaco might not be suited for modern F1 cars due to its huge dimensions of it, it was suited for the cars back in the day. Monaco actually promoted a very interesting race. However, the safety measures weren’t that great at that time and the drivers actually risked their lives for a win. Smaller cars and less downforce were a perfect recipe for the Monaco GP. The unforgiving nature of the track combined with the raw nature of F1 cars made the race super interesting to watch. 

Monaco is also known as a Tax-Haven. So the richest of the richest stay in the principality which includes many F1 drivers. It has The highest ratio of millionaires per meter in the whole wide world. The status of Monaco makes it very special from a financial standpoint. Monaco is amongst the most viewed Grand Prix. With many celebrities walking the paddock, they add the shine to this crown Jewel of F1.

Read More: Is Monaco the Slowest F1 Track on the Calendar?

Year after year, decade after decade, while some changes were made to the track, it was made sure to keep the DNA of it intact. Also, the layout could not be changed much because of how the track is set up. The street circuit nature of it means the Millionaires and the royalties watch the race from their homes situated next to the track as they chill on the balcony. Then there’s the casino around which the casino section is named. The swimming pool section is where these millionaires enjoy their yachts as the race goes on. 

The glamor of the Monaco GP cannot be compared, not even to the Miami GP. The history, the layout, and the bling, everything makes it a super important race. Nevertheless, it’s not only about what we see but also the challenge that the drivers face. 

Challenges for drivers at Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco GP is a tricky one both for the teams and the drivers to manage. In most cases, there would be a dedicated package that would arrive for the weekend as there’s nothing else on the calendar like Monaco. The Circuit de Monaco is a bumpy and narrow track with the barriers staring at the drivers every time they turn. The narrowness along with the layout makes it very hard for the driver to manage a clean lap around the circuit.

Many drivers explained that driving in Monaco is like being in a zone. Where everything else around you slows down and it is just the driver, the car, and the track. A driver has to change the gear around 50 times during a lap. Earlier teams used to come with Monaco-specific gearboxes with track-suited ratios but that has been banned now. Also, the tunnel section provides a huge challenge with the light suddenly hitting the eyes going out of the tunnel. A special steering rack to maneuver around the tight turns is also brought to Monaco.

Meet Mr. Monaco, Our Only Triple Crown Champion

Monaco is one of the three race events that need to be won in order to be crowned the Triple Crown Champion. The other two races are the 24-hour Le Mans and the Indy 500. There have been many great drivers associated with the F1 circuit but only 1 managed to win the Monaco GP along with these other races. It was Graham Hill, who is also nicknamed as Mr Monaco. He was nicknamed so because he won 5 Monaco GPs in the 1960s and was really good at the track. 

The only driver on the current F1 grid close to winning a triple crown is Fernando Alonso, who needs an Indy 500 win under his belt to be crowned the triple crown champion. However, Ayrton Senna cannot be forgotten while taking the streets of Monaco. Senna was a different animal in Monaco and has won the most Grand Prix in the principality. It just goes on to show you that it takes a special driver to win the Monaco GP.

Watch this Story: F1 Drivers That Don’t Live In the Tax-Heaven Monaco

Do you think despite the poor racing spectacle, Monaco is still one of the most prestigious F1 races on the Calendar?