The One Race Track to Rule Them All
Should an F1 driver never get to win the World Champion title, a win on the streets of Monte Carlo might be just as good. This is in the Principality of Monaco, a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera. Over Christmas season 2023, I got to walk the circuit that many Formula 1 drivers dream of winning. It just might be the toughest one to win for anyone starting lower than third on the grid. The Grand Prix of Monaco is set for 26 May 2024. (Read more)
Jeremy Jo
4/21/20241 min read
For an F1 fan like myself, watching the Grand Prix of Monaco in person would be a dream come true. So why have I not done it? To be honest, it has not been a priority, I suppose.
But now that I have been to Monte Carlo on a day trip from Nice, I now have an idea of the lay of the land, and I now know how easy it is to stay in Nice then take the train to Monte Carlo on race day. I may just do this as soon as next year, as it is too late for this year with the race set to take place in a little over a month from now.
Walking the circuit this past holiday season was wonderful, nonetheless. It was so wonderful to walk the streets of Monte Carlo with the weather being so pleasant that time of the year. I could not help but imagine the multi-million-dollar racing machines zooming up Beau Rivage from Sainte Dévote from the starting line, through Casino, and slowing down to the Grand Hotel Hairpin before entering the Tunnel.
View of Grand Prix of Monaco circuit (partial) from the Prince's Palace of Monaco.
From top left: located across from Sainte Dévote train station, William Grover "Williams" Grand Prix of Monaco's first winner on 14 April 1929; uphill Beau Rivage; Monte Carlo Casino; the Grand Hotel Hairpin
(Click image to see in full scale.)
As one exits the Tunnel, the blinding light of the sun adds to the challenge of going downhill to a much slower speed so as not to overshoot the Nouvelle Chicane. After a left-hander at Tabac, it's La Piscine before the right-hander at La Rascasse with another right-hander to the finish line.
From top left: a moped cyclist at the Tunnel exit; the Tunnel Exit; the Nouvelle Chicane; La Piscine; La Rascasse
(Click image to see in full scale.)
The circuit of the Grand Prix of Monaco may be the slowest of all, but it is the one track to rule all of Formula 1 race tracks.