Monte Carlo

The glamorous home of the Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo's narrow street circuit has no logical place in modern motor racing but remains one of the most challenging tests of a driver's skill and ability — even if opportunities to overtake are slim

Monte Carlo has been a highlight of the Grand Prix calendar since the enigmatic “W.Williams” won the first race here in 1929. Much of the original round-the-houses circuit inspired by local cigarette manufacturer Antony Noguès remains the same today. A chicane has been added at Ste Devote, the swimming pool section was built on reclaimed land, and the road now continues to a hairpin at La Rascasse. A hotel (called Loews, the Grand and now Fairmont) has been built over the tunnel. Although today’s Formula 1 cars are barely able to overtake at Monte Carlo, the anachronistic “race of a thousand corners” remains the glamour event of the year. Over the years two drivers have crashed into the harbour: Alberto Ascari in 1955 and Paul Hawkins ten years later. Both men escaped without injury. But Monte Carlo did prove fatal for Luigi Fagioli in 1952 and Lorenzo Bandini in 1967.