Five Things You Didn't Know About the Monaco GP

Fewest Finishers in a Race

The 1996 Monaco Grand Prix holds one of the most unusual racing records, with only three drivers crossing the finish line at the end of the race. The mayhem that unfolded was a result of the wet weather, problems with cars and several collisions up and down the field.

21 cars lined up on the grid, but by the fifth lap that was down to 13. Some drivers opted for slick tyres despite the heavy rainfall, and others struggled in the challenging conditions and either crashed themselves or wiped out others with them.

As the race reached its two-hour limit, seven cars were on track but a crash between the final three runners took that number to four. By the final lap, fourth-placed Heinz-Harald Frentzen opted to pit instead of taking the chequered flag leaving just three drivers on track, with Olivier Panis taking his first and only victory having started 14th.

Monaco’s Marshals

It’s true when they say we couldn’t do what we do without the orange army of motorsport marshals. They’re an essential part of every race weekend, but things are done a little differently in Monaco.

The 650 marshals here are still volunteers, but have to have shown dedication to the Automobile Club of Monaco. They also have to take part in training sessions one month before the race, a course that was founded 50 years ago. Workshops include first-aid, intervention, electrical risks, flags and signalling and fire to name a few.

This dedication makes Monaco one of the best locations when it comes to quick and safe recovery, with the principality often praised for its incredibly high standards. As well as the Grand Prix, they also work across the historic weekend and Formula E.

Taking a Dip!

The Monaco harbour is one of the defining features of this circuit, with huge yachts and the Mediterranean Sea a beautiful backdrop for much of a lap. However, the iconic waterfront has been at the scene of several bizarre moments across the championship’s time here.

In 1955, two-time World Champion Alberto Ascari skidded on oil coming out of the famous tunnel and paired with failing brakes found himself plunging 15 feet into the water. Crashing

through the straw bales, Ascari would emerge with just a cut on his nose in what would be his last Formula 1 race after tragically losing his life four days later during private testing at Monza. Ten years later Lotus’ Paul Hawkins would do the same, before the incident was replicated for the 1966 film ‘Grand Prix’.

Another one of my favourite stories involves the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix, when a rogue wave wiped out half the grid on the opening lap down at Tabac!

Since then safety standards have come on leaps and bounds, but it’s a reminder back to how this circuit has remained a key staple on the calendar for over 70 years.

Practice Used To Be on Thursday

Depending on how long you’ve been watching Formula 1, you might already know this one. Up until 2022, Monaco used to have a unique schedule when Free Practice 1 and 2 were held on a Thursday instead of Friday. Media day would be on Wednesday, with a pause to proceedings on Friday before normal service resumed for qualifying and the race across Saturday and Sunday.

So, why was this? Well traditionally the Monaco Grand Prix was held around Ascension Day – a bank holiday in the province. Roads would be opened across parts of Friday to help with traffic flow, but some support series would still have their practice early in the morning.

However, that tradition was scrapped four years ago and now the usual Friday-Saturday-Sunday format returns to your screens.

Like Father, Like Son

Mercedes has plenty of silverware from racing in the principality. It first raced around these special streets during the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix, before we came back to Formula 1 as a works team in 2010.

Some of that success came in the shape of Nico Rosberg, who is one of only four drivers to have secured a hat-trick of consecutive victories in Monaco. His three wins with the Silver Arrows from 2013 to 2015 puts him alongside World Champions like Graham Hill, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.

However, Nico and his father Keke did become the only father-and-son duo in Formula 1 history to have won the esteemed Monaco Grand Prix.