Circuit de Monaco

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What is a lap of Circuit de Monaco like?

The shortest circuit on the calendar and famously narrow, raced on the streets of Monte Carlo since 1929; overtaking is so hard that the 2003 race had no passing moves at all, and 10 of the 12 races before 2026 were won from the front row. Famous corners include Sainte Dévote, the climb up Beau Rivage to Casino Square, the Fairmont Hairpin (the slowest corner on the calendar), the tunnel, the Nouvelle Chicane at the harbour, Tabac, the Swimming Pool (Piscine) section and La Rascasse. Cars run maximum downforce and the lap rewards millimetric accuracy between the barriers; through 2025 the only DRS zone was the start/finish straight from Antony Noghès to Sainte Dévote. The harbour chicane was remodelled and renamed 'Nouvelle' in 1986, the Swimming Pool section (added in 1973) was reworked in 1997 and 2003, and the final corner has been named after race founder Antony Noghès since 1979.

Lap length

3.337 km

Turns

19

Direction

clockwise

Downforce

Maximum

Longest straight

669 m

Elevation change

42 m

DRS zones (to 2025)

1

Character

Technical (about 49% of the lap is cornering)

Layout described

Current 19-turn, 3.337 km street layout (Tabac re-profiled in 2015), used for the Monaco Grand Prix 2015-2026

Sources for the checked facts (11)

• formula1.com/en/racing/2026/monaco/circuit
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_de_Monaco
• formula1.com/en/latest/article/circuit-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-circuit
• formula1.com/en/latest/article/explained-how-every-monaco-corner-got-its-name.5ClYqWmfpeUp
• gpfans.com/en/f1-news/1050517/f1-monaco-corner-names-explained-saint-devote-tabac-casino-s
• mercedesamgf1.com/news/f1-explained-how-each-of-the-iconic-monaco-gp-corners-got-its-name
• skysports.com/formula-1/story-telling/12040/13141251/monaco-gp-the-timeless-challenge-of-c
• racefans.net/?p=11309
• mercedesamgf1.com/news/the-unique-new-rule-for-the-2025-monaco-grand-prix
• formula1.com/en/latest/article/highs-and-lows-which-f1-track-has-the-most-elevation-change
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Nogh%C3%A8s

Map, character and grey values are approximate (measured from a GPS trace). Report a correction.

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Does pole position win at Circuit de Monaco?

The pole sitter has won 33 of 72 races here (46%). Across all circuits since 1950 the pole sitter wins 44% of races. The winner started from the front row (P1 or P2) in 50 of 72 races (69%) and from the top three in 62 (86%). Lowest grid position to win: 14th, Olivier Panis in 1996.

Where the winner started, every race at this circuit. Pole sitter means the driver who set the fastest qualifying time (first on the grid where no qualifying data exists); a grid penalty can move the pole sitter back, and that race still counts for them. Compare every circuit.

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How are races at Circuit de Monaco won?

Since 2010

16 races; winners made 1 stop in 13, 2 stops in 1, 3 or more in 2; first stop at a median lap 28 (35% of the race)

1994 to 2009 (refuelling)

15 races; winners made 1 stop in 9, 2 stops in 6; first stop at a median lap 32 (46% of the race)

Lap times over the years

All races at Circuit de Monaco