Loaction: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Raceday: Sunday, 28 May 2006
Time: 2000 (+8 GMT)
2005 winner: K Raikonnen
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The Monaco Grand Prix is the one race of the year that every driver
dreams of winning. Like the Indy 500 or Le Mans, it stands alone,
almost distinct from the sport from which it was born. A
combination of precision driving, technical excellence and sheer
bravery is required to win in Monte Carlo, facets which highlight
the differences between the great and the good in Formula
One.
The Armco barrier-lined circuit leaves no margin for error,
demanding more concentration that any other Formula One track. Cars
run with maximum downforce and brakes are worked hard. Overtaking
is next to impossible so qualifying in Monaco is more critical than
at any other Grand Prix.
The Portier corner is key to achieving a good lap time around
Monaco. It is preceded by the Loews hairpin, the slowest corner in
Formula One, and followed by the tunnel, one of the few flat-out
sections of the track. Some great names have ended their races in
the barriers here, most notably Ayrton Senna and Michael
Schumacher.
To win in Monaco places a driver's name on a list that includes
many of history's all-time greats. Both Graham Hill, the man
nicknamed 'Mr Monaco', and Schumacher have won it five times, Alain
Prost took four victories, whilst Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart
each won here three times. But the record of wins in the
Principality resides with the Senna, who won in Monte Carlo six
times.
The race has been a regular fixture of the world championship since
1955, but in that time the circuit has changed remarkably little.
Slight alterations were made for the 2003 event, in particular a
new, gentler entry to the Rascasse corner, with even bigger changes
added in 2004, with a new pit complex and increased spectator
capacity.
