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Race information - Monaco 2014 - The historic harbour plays host to this weekend's F1 action

Published by Christine

It's Monaco, baby! Who doesn't love Monaco? Okay, you can argue that the racing often lacks that special something, but there are usually enough incidents to keep a race weekend exciting. Just because you have to look really hard to spot an overtaking move doesn't mean that progress can't be made - where else could a driver crash into the barriers, pit for a puncture, be thrown towards the rear of the field and still come through to take victory? It's seductive, sparkling and special, it's the sixth round of the season.

Event schedule

We've seen Mercedes dominate this year, barely letting anyone else get a glimpse of the top two finishing spots. That's unlikely to change going into this weekend, but the battle between Hamilton and Rosberg brings its own brand of entertainment. We saw the level of mind games and inter-team rivalry take a step up in Spain, and as Monaco is Nico's home race, there's probably going to be more here as the stakes are raised.

Elsewhere, Ferrari are still desperately trying to recover from a bad start to the season, as Williams also look to get back on track. Lotus showed improved form over the last weekend, but there are already plenty of jokes circling regarding the ability of Pastor Maldonado to get through this race weekend unscathed. And, of course, the battle of the backmarkers continues to rage, with the balance swinging in Marussia's direction at the moment.

Session timetable
DateDaySessionTimeLocal time
22 MayThursdayFree Practice 109:00
GMT +01:00
10:00
GMT +02:00
Free Practice 213:00
GMT +01:00
14:00
GMT +02:00
24 MaySaturdayFree Practice 310:00
GMT +01:00
11:00
GMT +02:00
Qualifying13:00
GMT +01:00
14:00
GMT +02:00
25 MaySundayGrand Prix13:00
GMT +01:00
14:00
GMT +02:00

Support racing for this event includes Renault 3.5, GP2, and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

Expected conditions

Monaco's practice takes place on Thursday rather than Friday, meaning the sessions could catch some of the rain hovering around the principality during the mid-week. Towards the weekend, things should clear up with Saturday looking to be the best day weather-wise. On Sunday, the clouds move on, and there could be a chance of rain, but forecasts suggest otherwise.

Chance of rain

Monte Carlo, Thursday

23℃

  • Low 14℃
  • Humidity 59%

Chance of rain

Clear

Monte Carlo, Saturday

22℃

  • Low 15℃
  • Humidity 52%

Clear

Mainly cloudy and comfortable

Monte Carlo, Sunday

24℃

  • Low 17℃
  • Humidity 51%

Mainly cloudy and comfortable

Track information

Circuit de Monaco circuit map
DRS zones
DRS detection 180m after turn 16
DRS activation 118m after turn 19

The Monaco Grand Prix is a race of precision and endurance, with drivers forced to up their concentration levels to avoid the barriers and deal with the quickly arriving corners. Each lap is an intense fight for the driver, no time to take a breather, facing some unique challenges along the way - the hairpin, the tunnel and the Swimming Pool chicane.

The lap is short, and begins with the run to Sainte Devote, a tight right hander that leads to the uphill climb following. The walls close in through the second sector, the action slows and winds down towards the tunnel, where things pick up. It's one of the fastest points on the circuit, with drivers having to exit the tunnel, blinking into the sunshine, and immediately deal with the Harbour chicane. Through the final run of corners, round Rascasse, and then they're heading for the start/finish line.

The challenges presented by Monaco mean drivers often get it wrong, and there's an 80% chance of at least one safety car in the race. The top speed is only 280 km/h, whilst the longest straight is just 669 metres, and full throttle is estimated to be just 30% of the lap.

Circuit history

Circuit information
CircuitCircuit de Monaco
LocationMonte Carlo
CountryMonaco
TimezoneGMT +02:00
Race debut1950
Laps78
Length3.340 km
Distance260.520 km
Line offset0.000 km

Monaco celebrates hosting the 61st edition of their F1 Grand Prix this year, and the track has evolved since its earliest day. Although being set in the streets of Monte Carlo has limited the amount of adjustments that take place, safety precautions have been one of the key factors when it comes to upgrading the circuit. It's been a long time since the harbour was lined with hay bales, proving an ineffective way to keep drivers out of the water.

Of the last five races at Monaco, three were won by Red Bull. Sebastian Vettel only took one of those, struggling around the principality compared to teammate Mark Webber. Overall, McLaren have a good track record with fifteen victories, but Ferrari and Lotus have also had success at the principality. Last year seven drivers failed to see the chequered flag, and the year before it was nine that dropped out before the end. The race really can be one of attrition rather than out and out pace.

Results for the 2013 Monaco Grand Prix
SessionDriverTeamTime
Free Practice 1Nico RosbergMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team1:16.195
Free Practice 2Nico RosbergMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team1:14.759
Free Practice 3Nico RosbergMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team1:14.378
QualifyingNico RosbergMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team1:13.876
Grand PrixNico RosbergMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team2:17:52.056
Fastest lapSebastian VettelInfiniti Red Bull Racing1:16.577

Tyre compounds

Monaco Grand Prix tyre selection
Soft and supersoft compounds

As the slowest circuit of the year, the tyres don't have to be quite as durable as at other times, and Pirelli have opted to bring the two softest compounds to Monte Carlo. With the soft and supersoft tyres on offer, the Italian manufacturer is hoping they will see quick tyre warm-up and maximum adhesion, as navigating the corners safely is the best way to get good performance during the weekend.

Monaco is obviously a showcase event for everyone involved in Formula One, with a unique atmosphere and a special challenge that you just don't see anywhere else. The supersoft tyres make their debut in Monaco, which like all our 2014 slick tyres have new compounds and constructions this year, designed to improve durability. Wear and degradation is traditionally very low in Monaco, so it's possible to do the race with just one pit stop.

- Paul Hembery

Press conference schedule

Official press conferences are organised by the FIA and happen four times during the weekend. The qualifying and post race press conferences will take place after the television unilateral interviews.

Press Conference Schedule
DayAttendeeRepresenting
WednesdayJules BianchiMarussia F1 Team
Valtteri BottasWilliams Martini Racing
Romain GrosjeanLotus F1 Team
Kimi RäikkönenScuderia Ferrari
Nico RosbergMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
Jean-Éric VergneScuderia Toro Rosso
FridayÉric BoullierMcLaren Mercedes
Federico GastaldiLotus F1 Team
Christian HornerInfiniti Red Bull Racing
Marco MattiacciScuderia Ferrari
Claire WilliamsWilliams Martini Racing
Toto WolffMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
SaturdayThree fastest drivers
SundayFirst three finishing drivers

Race stewards

The FIA stewarding process includes a former F1 driver to offer added insight. These stewards are overseeing the weekend's action.

FIA stewards
NamePosition
José AbedFIA Vice President, founder and president of the Mexican Organisation of International Motorsport.
Paul GutjahrPresident of the FIA Hill Climb Commission, board member and President of Auto Sport Suisse SARL
Derek WarwickFormer Formula One driver and World Sportscar champion.

All content in the series Monaco 2014