Race Preview: Monaco
The inside track to the sixth round of the 2018 season. Find out all the important information by reading our race preview.
Often referred to as the crown jewel in the calendar, the Monaco Grand Prix is a unique event and one that both fans and drivers hold dear. An extremely tight 3.37km route around the Monegasque harbour, the circuit isn’t particularly conducive to overtaking but the glitz, glamour and festivities surrounding the race ensure it’s one not to miss.
Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo
Turn 1
The first corner on the circuit is called Saint Devote. A right-hander, the track narrows on entry and with no room on the exit, it is imperative not to make a mistake here otherwise the driver will find the barrier unforgiving.
Turns 3 & 4
Turns 3 and 4 are better known as Casino Square. The famous gambling institution offers a fantastic backdrop to this quick left-right combination. The track is particularly bumpy through this section with drivers having to swing right to avoid the biggest bump of all on exit.
Turn 6
The slowest corner on the calendar, this extremely tight left-hander named the Fairmont Hairpin is instantly recognisable. It is a struggle to overtake through here but this hasn’t stopped many drivers attempting it over the years, usually with a less than successful outcome.
Turn 9
A flat-out right-hander, turn 9 tests the drivers as they rush through the tunnel and down towards the Nouvelle Chicane. As with nearly every corner in Monaco, you don’t want to run wide here as the barriers are waiting to catch any wayward driver.
Press the marked areas to learn more about each
Q: How challenging is the track on a low-med-high scale?
A: With the lowest average speed of the year and the shortest overall distance, Monaco doesn’t rate too highly on the challenging scale however temperatures can reach over 30°C which can pose issues.
Q: What challenges do you face as a team?
A: Conditions in the paddock are unsurprisingly cramped given the nature of the Monaco Grand Prix however, given recent redevelopment of the paddock the situation is certainly better than in years past.
Fun Fact
The Monaco Grand Prix is the only one on the calendar which does not adhere to the FIA’s mandated 305-kilometre (190-mile) minimum race distance.
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