the Circuit de Monaco
Private jet Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Formula one (F1) Grand prix is the sixth race in the 2021 Formula one (F1) season in Monaco at the Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo on the 23rd May 2021.
The Monaco Grand Prix (Grand Prix de Monaco) is a Formula One motor race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, and alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, forms the Triple Crown of Motorsport. The circuit has been called “an exceptional location of glamour and prestige.”
The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is a dangerous place to race and often involves the intervention of a safety car. It is the only Grand Prix that does not adhere to the FIA’s mandated 305 kilometres (190 mi) minimum race distance.
The first race, held on 14 April 1929 was organised by cigarette magnate Antony Noghès under the auspices of the “Automobile Club de Monaco”, and was won by William Grover-Williams driving a Bugatti. The event was part of the pre-Second World War European Championship and was included in the first World Championship of Drivers in 1950. It was designated the European Grand Prix two times, 1955 and 1963, when this title was an honorary designation given each year to one Grand Prix race in Europe. Graham Hill was known as “Mr. Monaco” due to his five Monaco wins in the 1960s. Brazil’s Ayrton Senna won the race more times than any other driver, with six victories, winning five races consecutively between 1989 and 1993. Fernando Alonso is the only driver to have won the race in consecutive years for different constructors, winning for Renault in 2006 and McLaren in 2007.
The Circuit de Monaco consists of the city streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine, which includes the famous harbour. It is unique in having been held on the same circuit every time it has been run over such a long period — only the Italian Grand Prix, which has been held at Autodromo Nazionale Monza during every Formula One regulated year except 1980, has a similarly lengthy and close relationship with a single circuit.
The race circuit has many elevation changes, tight corners, and a narrow course that makes it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One racing. As of 2015, two drivers have crashed and ended up in the harbour, the most famous being Alberto Ascari in 1955. Despite the fact that the course has had minor changes several times during its history, it is still considered the ultimate test of driving skills in Formula One, and if it were not already an existing Grand Prix, it would not be permitted to be added to the schedule for safety reasons. Even in 1929, ‘La Vie Automobile’ magazine offered the opinion that “Any respectable traffic system would have covered the track with <<Danger>> sign posts left, right and centre”.
Triple Formula One champion Nelson Piquet was fond of saying that racing at Monaco was “like trying to cycle round your living room”, but added that “a win here was worth two anywhere else”.
Notably, the course includes a tunnel. The contrast of daylight and gloom when entering/exiting the tunnel presents “challenges not faced elsewhere”, as the drivers have to “adjust their vision as they emerge from the tunnel at the fastest point of the track and brake for the chicane in the daylight.”. The fastest-ever lap was set by Kimi Räikkönen in qualifying for the 2006 Grand Prix, at 1m 13.532.
During the Grand Prix weekend spectator’s crowd around the Monaco Circuit. There are a number of temporary grandstands built around the circuit, mostly around the harbour area. The rich and famous arrive on their boats and the yachts in the harbour fill with spectators. Balconies around Monaco become viewing areas for the race too. Many hotels and residents cash in on the birds eye views of the race. Grand Prix organizers Automobile Club de Monaco officially voted the Ermanno Palace Penthouse the ‘Best view of the Monaco Grand Prix’.
The Cicuit de Monaco lies 31 kilometres away from Nice Cote d’Azur airport (LFMN / NCE), and takes around 35 minutes by car subject to traffic.
Alternatively, on arrival into Nice Cote d’Azur airport , a helicopter transfer will take you to the heart of Monaco in 10 minutes, where you will land at the Monaco heliport (LNMC / MCM).
Arranging a private jet charter or helicopter transfer with Freedom Air to arrive in style to the Monaco formula one (F1) grand prix in Monte Carlo is simple. The Freedom Air team can be reached on +44 (0) 1275 548001 and charters@jamesg319.sg-host.com to book your next trip.