Monaco's streets host the best known Formula 1 Grand Prix

Wednesday 3rd June 2009 - 0 Comment(s)

Monaco's streets host the best known Formula 1 Grand Prix and as well as a sporting spectacle it is one of Europe's premier social highlights of the year, with the best yachts in the world visiting the Principality and celebrities staying in the Monaco hotels such as the Hotel de Paris, the Columbus and the Grand, with many others staying in Nice.

The Monaco Grand Prix (French: Grand Prix de Monaco) held each year on the Circuit de Monaco, is considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (with which it forms the Triple Crown of Motorsport). The history, spectacle and glamour result in the race being considered "the jewel of the Formula One crown".

Overview

The Grand Prix is 78 laps on a 3.340 km (2.075 mi) circuit, which races around the narrow, winding streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine, which includes the famous harbour. It is unique in having been held on the same circuit every time it has been run over such a long period. The Circuit de Monaco is one of the most exciting in the world, with little room for driver error.

The course has had some minor changes several times during its history, to improve safety but is still considered the ultimate test of driving skill in Formula One, and if it were not already an existing Grand Prix, it would not be permitted to be added to the schedule for safety reasons.

One of the most notable features of the course includes the tunnel. The contrast of light and dark as the drivers enter/exit the tunnel are not faced elsewhere. The drivers have to adjust their vision as they emerge from the tunnel at the fastest point of the track and brake for the chicane in the daylight.

History

Since the first Grand Prix on April 14 1929, organised by Monte Carlo resident and founding president of the Automobile Club de Monaco Antony Noghes, and was won by William Grover-Williams driving a Bugatti. The event was part of the pre-Second World War European Championship and was included in the first Formula One World Championship in 1950. The average fastest speed has risen from 50mph (80 kph) to 88mph (143 kph).

Recent Winners

2009 Jenson Button - Brawn Mercedes
2008 Lewis Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes
2007 Fernando Alonso - McLaren Mercedes
2006 Fernando Alonso - Renault
2005 Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren Mercedes

Dates

20 to 23 May 2010

Jenson Button Wins 2009 Monaco Grand Prix

Jenson Button won the Monaco grand prix for his fifth race victory of the season, Button had only once before finished in the points in the Principality.Barrichello finished second in Monte Carlo with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in third.

Button, who won from pole after leading throughout, said: "This victory is massive for us. I got off the line clean, and it was all good from there other than the usual Monaco things such as traffic and the barriers getting nearer and nearer as the race dragged on.

"It's a strange feeling because you start backing off a little bit, and it started going through my mind that if I kept it together I'd win at Monaco. But that's dangerous, so I had to concentrate, keep a steady pace and end up enjoying a great day at Monaco.

"It's been an outstanding weekend. The team have been fabulous, and we're looking very strong over the next few races. Before the weekend I said winning here would not mean as much, but that was just to take the pressure off my shoulders. In fact, to win here is fantastic. It does mean so much."

Button becomes only the sixth Briton in the 60 years of the world championship to win in Monaco.

Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Sir Jackie Stewart, David Coulthard and Lewis Hamilton have all previously emerged victorious at the end of the world's most famous motor sport event.

Now Button can add his name to that illustrious list of Britons, and at a venue where his apartment is just a short walk away from the far eastern side of the circuit at Portier.

Raikkonen's third for Ferrari was accompanied by Felipe Massa on the fourth place, the best result for the team so far.

Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault), Nico Rosberg (Williams-Toyota, Fernando Alonso (Renault) and Sebastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso-Ferrari) closed the top eight.

Lewis Hamilton could only finish in 12th place after starting from the back of the grid. After crashing during qualifying
on saturday.

The final positions were:

1. Jenson Button (Gbr) Brawn GP 1hr 40mins 44.282secs

2. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Brawn GP 1:40:51.948

3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:40:57.724

4. Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1:40:59.392

5. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 1:41:00.012

6. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams 1:41:17.868

7. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:41:22.121

9. Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:41:47.424

Monaco GP Circuit Map



The 2009 Monaco Grand Prix will be held on Sunday 24 May.

Monaco Grand Prix - From YourMonaco.com The Monaco Grand Prix

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