Monaco Grand Prix: 5 facts you need to about the race

The Monaco Grand Prix held at the Circuit de Monaco in the principality of Monaco is the most famous race in the Formula One calendar. The then Prince of Monaco, Prince Louis II organized the first race in 1929 as part of the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM).

The circuit hosted a race in the inaugural Formula One season of 1950 which was won by Juan Manuel Fangio who would win a total of five drivers' Championships. The circuit is designed on the streets of Monaco with many turns and includes even a tunnel making overtaking extremely difficult.

We take a look at five interesting facts about the Monaco Grand Prix.

#5 Part of 'The Triple Crown'

The most glamorous and prestigious race in the F1 calendar, Monaco Grand Prix is part of 'The Triple Crown' of Motorsport which includes races at the Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500 and the 24 Hour of Le Mans.

Winning the trio is considered as prestigious as winning the Championship itself. British driver Graham Hill is the only driver to have won 'The Triple Crown' till date. A five-time winner of the Monaco Grand Prix, Hill also won Indy 500 in 1966 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1972. Fernando Alonso and Juan Pablo Montoya are the only two currently active drivers to have won two of the three races.

Both drivers have taken the chequered flag in Monaco. Alonso has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 2018 with co-drivers Sebastian Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima and is gunning for a win at the Indy 500 which will give him the Triple Crown. Juan Pablo Montoya, who won the Indy 500 in 2000 and 2015, won the Monaco Grand Prix in 2003.

#4 Four Formula 1 drivers from Monaco

Three generations of the Royal Family of Monaco have provided patronage to the Monaco Grand Prix and continue to support it with keen interest even now. Princes Louis II, Rainier III and Albert II have all been avid motorsport buffs and helped the Monaco Grand Prix attain its exalted status among motorsport aficionados.

The principality of Monaco has also provided the sport of Formula 1 with four of its own drivers, Luis Chiron, who was an active driver in Formula 1 races even in his 50's, Andre Testut, Olivier Beretta and Charles Leclerc, who will be racing for Team Scuderia Ferrari in the 2019 season.

#3

Mr.

Monaco

British driver Graham Hill made winning a habit at the famous Monaco street circuit. He won races here in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968 and 1969. His race victory in 1965 is noteworthy of mention as despite starting from the pole, he had slipped to fifth and mounted a comeback to take the chequered flag in spectacular fashion. The two-time Formula One World Champion was known as 'Mr. Monaco'.

#2 Most successful driver

Brazilian Ayrton Senna is the most successful driver on this circuit as he has won this race a record six times including five consecutive wins from 1989 to 1993. His first race win here came in the year 1987. His great rival, Frenchman Alain Prost, has won here four times. Senna also holds the record for the most podium finishes at Monaco with eight podium finishes in 10 races competed.

#1 Most successful Constructor

Senna's McLaren at the Grand Prix of Monaco

Drivers driving for McLaren have won the most number of races at the Monaco Grand Prix. McLaren drivers have won here a record 15 times followed by Team Scuderia Ferrari with 10 wins. Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Finnish double World Champion Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard, 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have helped Team McLaren win at Monaco.

Edited by Naveen K