Monaco Grand Prix
| Circuit de Monaco | |
 | |
| Race information | |
|---|---|
| Circuit length | 3.34 km (2.08 miles) |
| Race length | 260.52 km (161.88 miles) |
| Laps | 78 |
| Last race (2006) | |
| Pole position | |
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| Podium | |
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| Fastest lap | |
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The Monaco Grand Prix is a Formula One race held annually, and since 1929, in the Principality of Monaco considered to be one of the most important and prestigious races around the world alongside the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Beginning
Like many European races, the Monaco Grand Prix predates the organized World Championships; the principality's first Grand Prix race was organized in 1929 by Antony Noghes, a well-to-do cigarette manufacturer and a resident of Monte Carlo, under the auspices of Prince Louis II through the establishment of the "Automobile Club de Monaco" of which Noghes was the founding president.
The inaugural race was won by William Grover-Williams (a.k.a. "Williams") driving a Bugatti painted in what would become the famous British racing green color. The Monaco Grand Prix counted toward the European Championship from 1936 to 1939 (although the race was cancelled in 1938).
The Monaco Grand Prix was one of the inaugural races in the Formula One championship in 1950. However, there was no race in 1951, and in 1952 the Monaco Grand Prix took place but was not included within the Formula One championship. Since 1955, the Monaco Grand Prix has taken place each year and has been raced as part of the Formula One championship.
The Grand Prix of Monaco is organized each year by the Automobile Club de Monaco who also runs the Monte Carlo Rally and the Monaco Kart Cup.
The Circuit
As a street race held on the Circuit de Monaco, which consists of the actual city streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine, the race has many elevation shifts, tight corners, and a narrow course that make it perhaps the most demanding and the most dangerous track still in use in Formula One racing. In many ways, the Monaco course is an anachronism unsuitable for the race category because the narrow streets make it near-impossible to overtake on the track. However, its history and the spectacle of the event are likely to guarantee the event's future for many years to come, as it is widely considered the jewel of the maximum category.
Winners of the Monaco Grands Prix
Repeat Winners
| Number of Wins | Driver | Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| 6 |  Ayrton Senna
|
1993 |
| 5 |  Graham Hill
|
1969 |
| 5 |  Michael Schumacher
|
2001 |
| 4 |  Alain Prost
|
1988 |
| 3 | Stirling Moss
|
1961 |
| 3 | Jackie Stewart
|
1973 |
| 2 |  Juan Manuel Fangio
|
1957 |
| 2 |  Niki Lauda
|
1976 |
| 2 | File:South Africa flag 1927.png Jody Scheckter | 1979 |
| 2 | David Coulthard
|
2002 |
By Year
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
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