The streets of Monaco will once again play host to undoubtedly the most infamous circuit on the Formula 1® calendar.
Although it may not produce the best on-track spectacle, the Monaco Grand Prix provides an unmatched legacy and history that very few other Grand Prix’ can compare.
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Monaco Grand Prix epitomises everything great about F1®: speed, glamour, passion, noise and a hint of danger because the cars are never too far away from the barriers.
With the F1® contingent heading to Monaco this weekend, we’ve taken a look back at what happened on and off the track last time out.
Leclerc’s horror run continued
Charles Leclerc has had a horror run in Monaco in what should be a Grand Prix to celebrate for the Monégasque racing driver.
In 2021 the Ferrari driver looked to be in a solid position to win, if not finish on the podium after claiming pole position in Qualifying.
However, the curse of Monaco got Leclerc once again when he became the first pole-sitter to fail to start a Grand Prix because of mechanical failures since the French Grand Prix in 1996.
After being assured his gearbox was in working order after a crash in Qualifying, Leclerc had to withdraw before the race even began.
This weekend, Leclerc will line up for his fourth Monaco Grand Prix in F1®, still without a finish to his name.
Mercedes costly weekend
It is not often you see or hear the words Mercedes and mistake in the same sentence. However, Monaco in 2021 wasn’t a good weekend for the team, with Valtteri Bottas having to retire the car after the team couldn’t get his front right wheel off during a routine pit stop. The team couldn't get the wheel off even after the race and had to take the car back to the factory in order to remove it.
Lewis Hamilton had an off weekend, with the seven-time world champion unable to get the W12 to perform as well as it usually does.
Hamilton’s seventh-place finish at the time was only the second time he had finished outside of the top six since the beginning of 2020.
Norris’ podium finish
Lando Norris had one of his best races in F1® at the Monaco Grand Prix 2021.
The British racing driver had pace right from the start of the weekend and showed this during Qualifying when he could get the MCL35M only a few tenths off pole position.
In the race, Norris was able to hold off faster cars – aided no doubt by the difficulty in passing on the streets of Monaco – and went on to finish P3, his third career podium.
The Monaco Grand Prix in 2022 will follow a standard race weekend, ditching the traditional FP1 and FP2 taking place on Thursday. Find out what time each session is on in Australia.
