With glamour, character, history and tradition, the Monaco Grand Prix claims its place as not just one of the best races in Formula 1, but one of the most famous events in the entire world of sport.
The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix marks the 82nd running of this iconic race through the streets of Monaco, the jewel of the French Riviera. Read on for everything you need to know about race dates, times, weather and common questions in our comprehensive Monaco Grand Prix guide.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
When is the Monaco Grand Prix 2025?
The Monaco Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, 25 May 2025, with a whole weekend of racing action to enjoy, including practices, qualifying and the headline race itself.
Here’s the full Monaco GP schedule:
Friday, 23 May: Practice 1 and Practice 2
Saturday, 24 May: Practice 3 and Qualifying
Sunday, 25 May: Race
The afternoon race will start at 3 pm local time (CET), which means F1 fans around the world can tune in at the following times:
United Kingdom (BST): Race starts at 2 pm on Sunday, 25 May
United States East Coast (EDT): Race starts at 9 am on Sunday, 25 May
United States West Coast (PDT): Race starts at 6 am on Sunday, 25 May
Australia (AEST): Race starts at 11 pm on Sunday, 25 May
Image: Image: Adobe Stock Images / Drone Director
The top contenders for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix
For the drivers, Monaco is one of F1’s most desirable races to win – after all, it’s not every day a victory puts you in the history books alongside legends like Ayrton Senna, Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher.
While the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix will be fiercely contested, two drivers in particular look the most likely to contend for the top spot. With five wins between them to date, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are spearheading McLaren’s early dominance and you wouldn’t bet against either driver to triumph in Monaco, particularly with Piastri narrowly missing out here last season.
But it’s far from a two-horse race. Defending world champion Max Verstappen has claimed two Monaco victories and knows exactly what it takes to see the chequered flag, while Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are also past winners at the Monaco street circuit. Meanwhile, Mercedes’ George Russell has yet to win at Monaco, but has shown impressive consistency this season, achieving four podium finishes so far.
In short, it’s another wide-open race and a potential classic in the making.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull
From 2021 to 2024, Formula 1 was dominated by Max Verstappen, who stormed to four consecutive Drivers’ Championship titles with Red Bull. The 2025 season to date has been quite a departure from this pattern, with Red Bull navigating a turbulent transition. Leadership changes, internal restructuring and uncertainty over Verstappen’s future have disrupted a team that, until recently, seemed unconquerable.
Red Bull’s slip from dominance has injected new unpredictability into the sport, making the 2025 season all the more thrilling, particularly for neutrals and fans of rival teams.
New faces and veteran talent
This season has seen an exciting new generation of drivers line up alongside legends of the sport – and it’s the newcomers who are setting the pace. Piastri and Norris are the ones to beat as McLaren dominates the Constructors’ table. Elsewhere, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli may not have reached the podium yet, but he’s steadily climbing the Drivers’ table, currently sitting in sixth place.
While seasoned pros like Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have had a slow start, they remain serious contenders in any race – you can never count them out.
Image: Image: Pedro Bariak / Unsplash
Monaco Grand Prix trivia and fun facts
The Monaco Grand Prix track is widely considered F1’s most famous. The characterful street circuit winds its way through 3.337 km of the prestigious principality, with a total of 19 bends.
It’s unique to say the least. No other F1 circuit has as many distinctive corners, from Monte Carlo Casino Square (Turn 4) and the Grand Hotel hairpin (Turn 6), to the unique sweeping tunnel (Turn 9).
Drivers take on 78 laps of the celebrated track for a total of 260.286 km. Every one of those kilometers demands precision and focus, with impossibly narrow streets, an average of 3,666 gear changes per driver, and very few passing opportunities. Former F1 driver Nelson Piquet once quipped that the circuit was “like riding a bicycle around your living room”.
As a race with close to a century of stories to tell, Monaco has no shortage of Grand Prix trivia. Here are our favourite facts:
Early history
Monaco’s first race took place in 1929 before being added to the Formula 1 World Championship calendar in 1950.
Fastest lap
Lewis Hamilton currently holds the fastest lap record for a Monaco Grand Prix race, with a time of 1:12.909 set in 2021. He also holds the fastest lap in qualifying at Monaco – 1:10.166, which he set in 2019.
Most wins
Ayrton Senna won at Monaco six times in his career, which included five consecutive seasons between 1989 and 1993. Close behind are Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher, with five wins each.
Triple Crown
The Monaco Grand Prix forms one part of the coveted Triple Crown of motorsport, along with the Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans. To date, Graham Hill is the only driver to have won the Triple Crown.
Native drivers
In 2024, Charles Leclerc became the first native Monaco F1 driver to win the home race since Louis Chiron, back in 1931.
Bad luck
British racing driver Jim Clark held pole position at Monaco four times in his career, but never managed to claim the top spot on the podium.
Most DNFs
To date, the Monaco Grand Prix holds the record for the least number of cars to finish an F1 race. In 1966, and again in 1996, only four cars saw the chequered flag at the finish line.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
Monaco Grand Prix FAQ
From style tips to weather guidance, here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Monaco GP:
Is there a dress code at the Monaco Grand Prix?
There really is no better place to dress to impress than Monaco. Yet the expectation around dressing over race weekend varies depending on the day, time and event. For example, if you plan to enjoy premium hospitality at the Champions Club or Paddock Club, you will need to dress smart-casual. This means trousers and an open-collared shirt with a blazer or jacket for men, while women typically wear a dress, skirt or pantsuit. You will find a more detailed guide in our article on Monaco Grand Prix fashion and style.
How many laps and miles is the Monaco Grand Prix?
The Monaco Grand Prix requires more laps of its street circuit than any other race on the F1 calendar. Drivers will lap the circuit 78 times, for a total of 161.734 miles (260.286 km). Compare this to Spa-Francorchamps (44 laps) or Las Vegas (50 laps), and fans at Monaco certainly get value for money.
What is so special about the Monaco Grand Prix?
Formula 1 has many famous races, yet Monaco always feels extra special – and there are many reasons for this. Firstly, Monaco is one of the oldest races on the calendar and its legend only grows bigger with the passing of eras, from Stirling Moss’s magic in 1961 to Ayrton Senna’s domination in the early 1990s.
Another part of Monaco’s appeal is that, while the unique street circuit may not be the fastest, it’s certainly one of the most technically demanding. Plus, it’s always a pleasure to watch action unfold along such a distinctive and interesting track.
Finally, the Monaco GP is undoubtedly the most glamorous event on the calendar. Set in the illustrious city-state, every moment oozes flamboyance and a sense of exclusivity.
What is the weather like in Monaco in May?
May happens to be one of the finest months to visit the Côte d’Azur. The sun is likely to be out yet the temperatures are pleasant, with an average of 17°C and highs of 19°C. While the region has 300 days of sunshine a year, Monaco is not immune to rain or evening chill, so it’s sensible to pack an umbrella and light jacket along with the sunscreen and hat.
Why do so many F1 drivers live in Monaco?
Monaco has become the go-to destination for F1 drivers to take up residence, largely due to its great weather, high standard of living and, of course, tax benefits. This is exciting for fans because you never really know who you might run into while out and about in Monaco. You’ll find more on this in our article on the reasons why Formula 1 drivers live in Monaco.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
Experience the F1 Monaco Grand Prix in luxury and style
The Monaco Grand Prix is unsurprisingly a race in the highest demand – and, with one of the lowest capacities, securing your tickets early on is essential.
Join us in 2026 and beyond for our Monaco Grand Prix VIP hospitality package. You’ll enjoy this legendary race sipping champagne onboard a privately chartered superyacht in Port Hercule, overlooking the iconic circuit – the ultimate celebration of the Monaco F1 weekend.
If you want to learn more about attending this event or any of our F1 experiences, speak with our friendly travel concierge team today.
Share Article
