The Monaco Grand Prix has run since 1929, and is one of the most anticipated races on the Formula One calendar. Known for its tight turns and unyielding crash barriers, the street race is held in the same regard as other high-profile races like the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, together making up motorsport’s so-called ‘Triple Crown’.
As the Formula One field moves to the glamorous city this weekend, we take a look back at some of the most momentous incidents and achievements from past Monaco Grands Prix. Let us know in the comments below if you agree with our choices.
1955: Driving a Lancia D50, former world champion Alberto Ascari misjudges his braking at a chicane, somersaulting into the Monaco harbour through hay bales and sandbags.
The Italian managed to escape with just a broken nose and swam to a nearby yacht. His seemingly lucky escape would be reflected on just four days later, as Ascari lost his life during a tragic testing accident.
1961: The 1961 Monaco GP is deemed by many to be Stirling Moss’ greatest ever race, as he held off the faster, state-of-the-art ‘sharknose’ Ferraris in an uncompetitive Lotus 18.
His car was underpowered but Moss managed to claim pole in qualifying, before a thrilling race which saw him become the first driver in history to win the Monaco GP three times.
1969: Off the back of his second championship in 1968, and with his four wins in Monaco, it would be a brave man to bet against Graham Hill winning the famous race again in 1969. And so it proved.
Known as ‘Mr Monaco’ (a title now shared with Ayrton Senna), after Jackie Stewart’s Matra retired due to driveshaft failure, Hill grabbed the lead and guided his Lotus to victory, taking a record fifth Monaco win. Fittingly, it was to be his last win in F1, despite not retiring until 1975.
1982: Murray Walker described the 1982 Monaco GP as “the craziest race ever,” as four race leaders hit trouble in the final three laps. Rene Arnoux took an early lead, before spinning out and stalling his engine, before new race leader Alain Prost crashed after leading for much of the race. Riccardo Patrese span and stalled, while Didier Pironi ran out of fuel in the tunnel.
Alfa Romeo's Andrea de Cesaris or Williams’ Derek Daly looked set to battle for victory, until De Cesaris also ran out of fuel, and Daly’s gearbox broke. The eventual winner of the race would be Patrese, who had managed to restart his Brabham after reversing down the kerb.
Join the debate
Add your comment
1969 Monaco was not Graham Hill’s last F1 win, it was his last GP win. He won the 1971 non-championship International Trophy in 1971, driving for Brabham. The 1970 Monaco GP was a good one. Rindt catching Brabham in the closing laps to pass him at the very last corner as Brabham locked his wheels lapping a backmarker.
One things come from this...
Cobnapint wrote:
Why would they do that?
--
https://gdgtpreview.com/category/pdf-manual-directory/
Best Monaco GP (Left out)
"best F1 battle ever : Senna vs Mansell Monaco '92"