The Monaco Grand Prix has been taking place since 1929 and is one of the most anticipated races on the Formula 1 calendar. Known for its tight corners and inflexible safety barriers, street racing takes place just like any other. other top-level races like the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, together making up the so-called ‘Triple Crown’ of motorsport.
As the Formula 1 field moves through the glamorous city this weekend, we look back at some of the most memorable incidents and accomplishments of past Monaco Grands Prix. Let us know in the comments below if you’re ok with our choices.
1955: At the wheel of a Lancia D50, former world champion Alberto Ascari misjudges his braking at a chicane, jumping into the port of Monaco through bales of hay and bags of sand.
The Italian managed to escape with just a broken nose and swam to a nearby yacht. His seemingly lucky escape would be reflected just four days later, as Ascari was killed in a tragic, grueling accident.
1961: The 1961 Monaco GP is considered by many to be the greatest race in Stirling Moss history, as it stood up to the faster, state-of-the-art ‘sharknose’ Ferraris in a non-competitive Lotus 18.
His car was malnourished but Moss managed to clinch pole in qualifying, ahead of a thrilling race that saw him become the first driver in history to win the Monaco GP three times.
1969: Behind the back of his second championship in 1968, and with his four victories in Monaco, it would be a brave man to bet against Graham Hill by winning the famous race again in 1969. And it turned out.
Known as ‘Mr Monaco’ (a title now shared with Ayrton Senna), after Jackie Stewart’s Matra retired due to a driveshaft failure, Hill took the lead and guided his Lotus to victory, taking a record fifth victory in Monaco. Fittingly, it was to be his last F1 victory, although he did not retire until 1975.
1982: Murray Walker described the 1982 Monaco GP as “the craziest race of all time”, as four race leaders ran into trouble in the final three laps. René Arnoux quickly took the lead, before turning and stalling his engine, before the new race leader, Alain Prost, crashed after leading a good part of the race. Riccardo Patrese stepped over and stalled, while Didier Pironi ran out of fuel in the tunnel.
Andrea de Cesaris from Alfa Romeo or Derek Daly from Williams seemed ready to fight for the victory, until De Cesaris also ran out of fuel and Daly’s gearbox broke. The eventual winner of the race would be Patrese, who had managed to restart his Brabham after backing up on the sidewalk.
1984: Many consider the 1984 Monaco GP to be the time when Ayrton Senna really started to make a name for himself. The weather did not hold back and soon a light downpour of rain turned into a torrential downpour. Alain Prost, who led the peloton by a 30-second margin, lost nearly three seconds per lap to Senna, before frantically signaling that the race was too dangerous to continue.
Commissioners reported it in this round, which means Prost was controversial as the winner due to the countdown rule. But it was Senna who made the headlines.
More about this article: Read More
Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-05-22 05:01:26
