Formula 1 cars navigate the 3.3 km Circuit de Monaco for 78 laps, covering a race distance of 260.5 km. The Monaco Grand Prix takes place annually in late May and has been held since 1929. It was part of the Formula 1 World Championship's inaugural season, giving it a deep history among the series' events.
Monaco is the slowest race on the circuit. Its narrow track offers limited overtaking opportunities, leading to discussions about its competitive merit. The tunnel exit presents a hazardous point where drivers transition from darkness to daylight at high speed, causing temporary visual impairment. Nelson Piquet famously described racing in Monaco as akin to "cycling around the living room." The event maintains significant interest because of its tradition, full grandstands, and status as a social gathering for the global elite. For many years, the race schedule featured a unique rhythm, with practice sessions on Thursday and Friday as a rest day. Ayrton Senna holds the record for most wins with six, and McLaren has the most constructor victories with 16, followed by Ferrari's 11.