5 Amazing Moments at the Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco is more than just a race. It’s a ritual. A test of nerve, precision, and control unlike anything else on the calendar. From the glitz of Monte Carlo’s harbor to the hair-raising run through the tunnel, the Monaco Grand Prix has served as the stage for some of the most iconic, heartbreaking, and jaw-dropping moments in Formula 1 history. Here are five of the greatest — the kind that turn legends into myths and make Monaco the jewel in F1’s crown.
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1. 1984: Senna Arrives in the Rain
#OnThisDay, Monaco, 1984
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 3, 2018
A legend announced himself to the world in style
Ayrton Senna upset the status quo and grabbed a podium in the rain pic.twitter.com/VUMTlMSuwX
The 1984 Monaco Grand Prix was supposed to be business as usual for the dominant teams — until the skies opened and Ayrton Senna arrived. In just his sixth Formula 1 race, Senna, driving for the underfunded Toleman team, put on a masterclass in wet-weather racing. Starting 13th, he surged through the field, overtaking world-class drivers with surgical precision as conditions worsened. He caught leader Alain Prost and was seconds away from overtaking him when the race was red-flagged on lap 31. The win went to Prost, but Senna’s performance instantly announced his arrival — a future champion who would go on to conquer Monaco a record six times. The race may have been stopped, but Senna’s legend had only just begun.
2. 1988: The Lap That Defied Logic
Qualifying at Monaco is half the battle — and no one has ever conquered it quite like Senna did in 1988. Driving for McLaren, he produced a qualifying lap so astonishing that even he couldn’t fully explain it. He outqualified teammate Alain Prost by an unheard-of 1.4 seconds, a gap that seemed physically impossible on Monaco’s tight street circuit. Senna later described the lap as an out-of-body experience — saying he felt as if he was “in a tunnel, far beyond conscious understanding.” Though he would crash out during the race while leading, that single lap became a timeless reference point — the moment Senna proved that at Monaco, he wasn’t just fast. He was otherworldly.
3. 1996: Panis Wins a Race of Attrition
24 years ago, one of the craziest F1 races of the modern era happened on Monaco's rain-soaked streets 🗓
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 19, 2020
Just three cars were running at the end 💥
Olivier Panis took a shock win for Ligier 😮
Tap below to watch highlights! #F1 #OnThisDay
If Monaco is about survival, then no one survived better than Olivier Panis in 1996. Starting 14th on the grid, the Frenchman kept his cool while chaos erupted around him. Rain made the circuit treacherous, and driver after driver retired from the race — including pole-sitter Michael Schumacher, who crashed out on the first lap. Panis, driving for the underdog Ligier team, climbed through the carnage and took the lead after outlasting the frontrunners. When the chequered flag fell, only three cars were still running. It was Panis’ first — and only — Formula 1 win, and one of the biggest upsets Monaco has ever seen.
4. 2019: Hamilton’s Emotional Victory for Lauda
The 2019 Monaco Grand Prix was more than just a win for Lewis Hamilton — it was a tribute. Just days before the race, F1 legend Niki Lauda passed away. Hamilton, who had a deep personal connection with Lauda from their time together at Mercedes, raced with a specially designed red helmet to honor his mentor. Despite being on the wrong tire compound and under relentless pressure from Max Verstappen for over 60 laps, Hamilton held his ground with remarkable defensive driving. As he crossed the line, he dedicated the win to Lauda. Monaco is always dramatic, but this time, it was deeply personal.
5. 2024: Leclerc Finally Wins at Home
Charles Leclerc finally got his chance to jump in the Monaco harbour as a race winner… but he made sure Fred Vasseur was joining him 😅#F1 pic.twitter.com/62X9sYnyt4
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 28, 2024
Charles Leclerc had tried and failed multiple times to win his home Grand Prix — always fast in qualifying, always cursed in the race. But in 2024, everything finally came together. Leclerc stormed to pole position, controlled the pace from the front, and managed the pressure of racing through the streets he grew up on. The crowd roared as the local hero crossed the line, becoming the first Monegasque driver to win in Monaco since Louis Chiron in 1931. The victory was more than just historic — it was emotional. Leclerc dedicated the win to his late father, who had dreamed of seeing him win in Monte Carlo. The ghosts of past misfortunes were gone — and the curse was finally broken.
Most Successful Drivers & Constructors at the Monaco Grand Prix
Most Successful Drivers:
- Ayrton Senna – 6 wins (1987, 1989–1993)
- Graham Hill – 5 wins (1963–1965, 1968, 1969)
- Michael Schumacher – 5 wins (1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001)
Most Successful Constructors:
- McLaren – 15 wins
- Ferrari – 9 wins
- Mercedes – 8 wins
Conclusion: Looking Ahead to the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix
There’s no track like it. No race weekend that compares. As we look ahead to the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, scheduled for May 23–25, all eyes will once again turn to the streets of Monte Carlo. Monaco always delivers something unforgettable, whether it’s a heroic comeback, a flawless pole lap, or a surprise win from the midfield. The only certainty is that history will be watching — and someone, somewhere, will etch their name into one of Formula 1’s most hallowed traditions.
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