The jewel of Formula 1: history and glamour at the Monaco GP

The Monaco Grand Prix is not just a sporting event, but also a social highlight that brings together history and glamour. The circuit, which has hosted racing since 1929, winds its way through the streets of the Principality: it measures 3.337 kilometres and features 19 corners, some of them characterised by extremely tight angles.

The carriageway, which essentially coincides with the two lanes of normal urban traffic, is extremely narrow and almost entirely lacking run-off areas. Safety barriers line the entire track and are often brushed by the drivers, who try to gain even a few centimetres by following the ideal racing line.

The average speed maintained over the 78 laps of the circuit is the lowest of the Formula 1 World Championship: in some sections the cars slow to around 50 km/h. From a technical point of view, the Monaco weekend is among the most complex for the teams, who are required to set up their cars with maximum aerodynamic downforce and to focus everything on qualifying in order to secure a good grid position, given that overtaking opportunities are extremely limited.

For Monaco, the softest tyre range is always selected, this year C3, C4 and C5, to ensure maximum grip on a very smooth asphalt surface. For this edition, the road surface has been resurfaced between Turns 19 and 1, between Turn 7 and the entrance to the tunnel, as well as on the entry to and exit from the pit lane. Graining may occur, but it should not significantly affect tyre behaviour, as in the Principality the tyres are subjected mainly to traction-related loads.

The low level of tyre degradation on the Monaco track traditionally results in a one-stop race. An exception was last year, when the FIA introduced an experimental regulatory change obliging drivers to use at least three different sets of tyres, thereby enforcing at least two pit stops. The rule was subsequently abandoned and the classic format returns.

Strategies are influenced above all by neutralisations and red flags, which are quite frequent given the high probability of contact with the barriers and the difficulty of removing cars without interrupting the race. In 2024, for example, a red flag on the opening lap allowed all drivers to immediately comply with the requirement to use both compounds, making it possible to complete the remainder of the Grand Prix with a split strategy between Medium and Hard.

IN 2025

The race was characterised by the requirement to use at least three different tyre sets, including one from the two mandatory specifications (Medium and Hard). Most drivers opted for combinations of Medium and Hard, while the drivers from the six teams that had only one set each of C5 and C4 ran all three compounds (including C6 Soft). Stint lengths varied widely: some drivers ran the white-marked tyre for much of the race, while others preferred to split the Grand Prix into three more evenly balanced segments.

STATISTICS

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the longest-standing events in Formula 1 history. This year’s edition will be the 72nd in the Principality. The most successful driver remains Ayrton Senna with six victories, one more than Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher. McLaren is the most successful constructor with 16 wins, followed by Ferrari on 10.

PODIUM CAP SPECIAL EDITION

The Pirelli Podium Cap for Monaco draws inspiration from the elegance that has always defined the Principality. The special edition cap, designed by Denis Dekovic for Pirelli Design, comes in deep red and champagne colours, evoking luxury and exclusivity. The Podium Cap is already available for purchase on the Pirelli e-commerce platform: https://store.pirelli.com

PIRELLI IN MOTORSPORT

Founded in 1872, Pirelli is a company with deep Italian roots now recognised all over the world for its cutting-edge technology, capacity for innovation, and the quality of its products. Motorsport has always played an important part in Pirelli’s strategy, following the ‘race to road’ philosophy. The company has been engaged in motorsport for 119 years and today supplies tyres to more than 350 championships on both two and four wheels. Pirelli pays constant attention to the most efficient use of natural resources and energy, and will reach carbon neutrality by 2030.

Pirelli has been Global Tyre Partner of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship since 2011. The company also supplies championships including FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3, Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and GT World Challenge, alongside numerous national series.