The 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship returns to Europe to celebrate the 72nd Monaco Grand Prix, the sixth round of the season, staged in the glamorous Principality of Monaco this weekend.
The most anticipated Formula 1 racing venue of the year, the Monaco Grand Prix, will get underway on Friday as the engines roar, kick-starting the first free practice session of the European leg.
Embodying the essence of Formula One in its purest form since it featured in the sport’s very first calendar in 1950, the street circuit designed by Anthony Noghes in 1929 challenges the world's finest drivers.
Staged uninterruptedly since 1955, it spans 3.337 kilometers (2.074 miles), encompassing 19 turns, over 78 laps where car and driver become one in their search for the perfect qualifying lap that awards a paramount pole position for Sunday's race.
To this day, the legendary Ayrton Senna stands as the most successful driver in The Principality with six victories and five pole positions under his name.
Meanwhile, McLaren remains the most successful team at the race with 15 wins, followed by Scuderia Ferrari with 10.
Back in 1966, Bruce McLaren introduced his squad to the world, one that would go on to build a rich heritage, fittingly, commemorating the milestone of 1000th Grand Prix in Monaco this weekend.
“It’s a very special weekend for us as we celebrate such an incredible milestone," said F1 reigning world champion Lando Norris.
"The livery looks fantastic, and what better place to celebrate this than at one of the most iconic races on the calendar and the location of the team’s first Grand Prix."
Pace and precision are pivotal in a circuit where overtaking has become a rare and precious form of art.
Through the famous corners, the driver's maneuvers leave the spectators speechless. Among those is Sainte Devote, a right-hander, just 150 mts from the start line.
Beau Rivage, the tricky Massenet, Casino, Rascasse, or the Fairmont hairpin, the slowest corner of the calendar, with drivers making the left-hand turn at just 30mph (45 km/h), each adds to the track's identity.
Taken flat out, the tunnel (Turn 9), poses a one-of-a-kind challenge for the racers who, in the blink of an eye, have to switch from light to dark and back to daylight on the way down to a heavy breaking zone, the legendary Nouvelle Chicane (Turns 10/11), which remains unchanged since inception.
All in all, the Monaco GP is synonymous with racing history, a special place where legacies are built by those at the wheel, the bravest and skillful who outshine their machinery, driven by a fierce appetite for excellence.
This weekend, once again, they will defy the barriers by millimeters, such is the punishing nature of the layout, knowing that milliseconds can make all the difference between glory and deception.
The drivers' world championship leader, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, will attempt to follow in the footsteps of his heroes, leaving his mark in Monaco.
The 19-year-old arrives on Monegasque soil having claimed victory at the Canadian Grand Prix late in May, his fourth in a row this season, extending his lead in the championship to 131 points overall.
Teammate George Russell follows in second with 88 points, and local hero Charles Leclerc stands in third with a 75-point tally.
Early in May, Antonelli became the first and only driver to win his first three races in a row from pole position, a feat he achieved at the Miami Grand Prix.
Technical Sheet
We highlighted some of the changes the FIA and F1 have introduced to the circuit in its 72nd edition.
The track has been resurfaced from Turn 19 to Turn 1, the Turn 5 run-off, from Turn 7 to the entry of the tunnel, and at the pit entry and exit.
The guardrail at Turn 3 has been realigned and extended on the left side, while the one at Turn 10 has also been extended and the opening reduced.
The guardrails at Turns 11 and 12 have been extended, while an additional line of guardrail has been added at the pit entry.
On the left-hand side of Turn 4, the tires have been replaced by Tecpro.
The sausage kerbs at Turns 10 and 16 have been reduced in height.
Also, it is worth noting that there will be no Straight Mode (SM) this weekend, with the front and rear wings staying the same for the entire race.
Onwards!