Is Monaco a victory reserved for champions?

This race embodies prestige and glamour, and represents the Holy Grail for all F1 drivers after the world championship title. Do you have to be world champion to win this trophy?

Monaco remains the most eagerly anticipated event on the calendar. One of the oldest races in the sport, it also serves as a home race for many drivers. The prestige of the principality, its glamorous atmosphere, the historic battles that have taken place on its streets, and its unique layout make this Grand Prix an unmissable event every year. All competitors dream of seeing their name on the exclusive list of winners, a list which, along with the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500, attracts the largest crowds in motorsport.

Does a victory in Monaco guarantee a world title?

A quick glance at the list of past winners shows that the race has been won by a veritable who's who of champions: Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen, Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, and Mika Häkkinen. If we go further back in time, the trend is confirmed: Jody Scheckter, Niki Lauda, Jackie Stewart, Ronnie Peterson, Jochen Rindt, Graham Hill, Juan Manuel Fangio, Jack Brabham… all legends who have marked the history of Formula 1. The list is undeniably impressive, even intimidating. However, a few drivers without championship titles have still managed to climb to the top step of the podium in Monaco. In 2018, Daniel Ricciardo, driving a Red Bull, fought hard to claim victory. Other drivers who have tasted glory in Monaco include Mark Webber, Jarno Trulli, Juan-Pablo Montoya, David Coulthard, and Olivier Panis.

Must all world champions win in Monaco?

While some champions have never won the trophy in the principality, the reverse is not true for all title holders. The aura of Monaco might suggest that a champion should win there, but the numbers show a different reality. Of the 33 drivers who have been crowned world champions since 1950, twelve have never triumphed on the streets of Monaco: Alberto Ascari, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill, Jim Clark, Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Mario Andretti, Alan Jones, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, and Jacques Villeneuve. Their best efforts were simply thwarted by stronger competition on the most demanding circuit on the calendar.