2025 Monaco Grand Prix: Fast Facts

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most iconic and prestigious events on the Formula 1 calendar, not just because of its long history, but also because of the mystique that surrounds it. It was first held in 1929, making it one of the sport’s oldest races, and it is also part of what’s known as motor racing’s Triple Crown, along with the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Indianapolis 500.

Narrow streets, tight turns, steep climbs and descents and the famous tunnel that leads onto the harbour are some of the defining characteristics that make Monaco a track like no other. It’s a place where precision is more important than power, with virtually no room for mistakes.

Apart from the actual racing, the Monaco Grand Prix is a unique social event, a mix of sport, elegance and glamour, generating an atmosphere all of its own. From a technical point of view, it is a very complicated race: the cars run with maximum aero downforce and with very limited overtaking opportunities, qualifying generally plays a key role in determining the winner. Ultimately, Monaco is much more than just a race, it’s a symbolic celebration of the purest and most spectacular essence of Formula 1.

The Compounds

For a second consecutive race, Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds from the 2025 range. As in Imola last week, the C4 will be the Hard, the C5 the Medium and the C6 the Soft, with the first two being the mandatory compounds for the race.

This weekend will see an important change to the regulations, specifically for this event only. During the race, two pit stops will be mandatory.

The aim of the FIA and F1 is to inject more excitement into a race that has often been very linear and predictable, as was very much the case last year.

As part of this rule change, each driver will also be allocated an additional set of Full Wets, on top of the usual two, so that the two-stop rule can be applied even if conditions require the use of extreme wet tyres.

It will be interesting to see how this affects teams’ race strategies. For example, with no clear pit-stop windows, it could present opportunities for drivers starting from further back to move up the order by making the most of running in clean air.

Having two stops should also rule out concerns about tyre degradation, even if it is in any case very low at this track. It could even lead to the use of the Soft compound, especially for those making a late second stop or in the case of a Safety Car period in the closing stages.

The Track

Winding its way through the streets of the Principality, usually open to normal traffic, the track is 3.337 kilometres long and tackled 78 times in the race. Very narrow with 19 corners, some of them very tight, there are virtually no run-off areas and the barriers are so close that the drivers often brush against them, as they strive to use every available inch of road.

Around half the track has been resurfaced, specifically from turn 12 to turn 3, so that this section should now be as smooth as the rest of the circuit. This type of surface does not promote tyre grip and could lead to graining, especially in the first couple of practice sessions. Then, as the racing line gets rubbered-in, the situation should improve, while bearing in mind that the track is reopened to road traffic at the end of each day.

The Stats

The Monaco Grand Prix was the second round of the 1950 season, the inaugural year of the Drivers’ World Championship. It saw the first appearance of Scuderia Ferrari, the only team to have taken part in every edition of motor racing’s blue riband series. The Italian marque heads the field when it comes to World Championships (15 Drivers’ and 16 Constructors’), wins (248), pole positions (253), fastest race laps (263) and podium finishes (830).

There have been 70 Monaco GP to date, as it was off the calendar from 1951 to 1954 and in 2020. The “Prince” (the four-wheeled variety) of Monaco is Ayrton Senna with six wins, followed by Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher on five. The Brazilian also holds the record for the most pole positions (5) and podiums (8).

McLaren is the most successful team in the Principality with 15 wins, followed by Ferrari on ten, while Lotus and Red Bull Racing are joint third with seven. The team from Maranello has the most poles (13), with McLaren second (11) and Lotus third (9). Ferrari also tops the table for podium finishes with 57, more than double the number of second-placed McLaren on 28, with Lotus again third on 16.

Almost half the winners (32, equivalent to 45.71%) started from pole. If one considers that a further 16 winners (22.68%) started from second on the grid, it is easy to understand why Saturday’s qualifying is so crucial to doing well on Sunday. However, in 1996, Olivier Panis delivered an exceptionally rare feat by winning from 14^th on the grid!

2025 Monaco Grand Prix Scheduling

Below is the schedule for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, which will be held from May 23 to 25, 2025. All times are local time in Monaco.

May 23

Practice 1: 13:30 – 14:30

Practice 2: 17:00 – 18:00

May 24

Practice 3: 12:30 – 13:30

Qualifying: 16:00 – 17:00

May 25

Race: 15:00

How to Watch the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix

Formula 1 fans around the globe can catch all the action from the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix through various broadcasters and streaming services.

In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with comprehensive coverage of the practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself.

For fans in the United States, the Monaco Grand Prix will be available through ESPN and its associated channels. ESPN offers extensive coverage of F1, including live broadcasts and replays. Cord-cutters can also stream the race live through various over-the-top (OTT) services that carry ESPN channels.

Viewers in Australia can tune in to watch the Grand Prix weekend unfold live on Fox Sports, which offers complete coverage of F1 races. For online streaming, fans can subscribe to Kayo Sports, a streaming platform that includes all Fox Sports content.

Additionally, F1 TV Pro offers live streaming of every track session to viewers in many countries worldwide.

This subscription service provides access to onboard cameras, team radios, live timing, and more, for an immersive viewing experience.

Remember to check the local listings and services for the most up-to-date information regarding broadcast times and availability in your region.

Monaco Grand Prix Fast Facts

• The race sees the highest lap count of any event with 78 tours of the circuit forming the Monaco Grand Prix. It is the only race that does not adhere to the FIA’s mandated 305 km minimum distance, measuring 260.286 km.
• A tighter and narrower pitlane than most F1 tracks means Monaco is one of three circuits to run a pitlane speed of 60 km/h, rather than the usual 80. The other two are Zandvoort and Singapore.
• Monaco, along with Jeddah, has the most number of right hand turns on the F1 calendar with 11.
• For this 82nd edition of the Monaco Grand Prix, a two-stop strategy will be mandatory for all teams.
• The softer C4, C5, and C6 tyre compounds will be used on the streets of the Principality, one step softer than last year.
• From the seven races in F1’s inaugural 1950 season, only four of them remain on the calendar in 2025: the British, Monaco, Belgian and Italian Grands Prix. All four races take place on the same circuits they did in 1950: Silverstone, Circuit de Monaco, Spa-Francorchamps, and Monza.
• The first-ever Monaco Grand Prix was organised in 1929 by Antony Noghès. The final corner of the circuit is named in his honour.
• The 1996 event holds the record for the F1 race with the fewest finishers. Only podium scorers Olivier Panis, David Coulthard, and Johnny Herbert finished the race.
• Mercedes-Benz Power has won 12 of the last 25 Monaco Grand Prix, with McLaren, Brawn and Mercedes.
• With three victories around the streets of the principality, Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver on the current grid at the Monaco Grand Prix with three wins (2008, 2016, and 2019). Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen have two wins, Charles Leclerc has one.