F1 Monaco Grand Prix: Complete 2023 Insider Guide

This is a complete guide to the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, written by a Monaco resident who attends every year. This insider guide will fill you in on everything you need to know, including the locations, parties, ticketing, insider tips, and the history of this famous car race.

O Monaco Grand Prix is a Formula One motor race on the Circuit de Monaco — public roads turned into a race track. It’s visceral drama that combines the energy of the Super Bowl, the pomp of Wimbledon, and the split-second, doom-avoiding calibrations of the Kentucky Derby—then hits fast forward.

The race takes place on a narrow course laid out in the city streets of Monaco, passing in front of the port and the Monte Carlo Casino. It is one of the premier events on the French Riviera and packs more than 100,000 spectators into Monaco.

Run since 1929, it is the most important and prestigious automobile race in the world, and the jewel of the three races that form the ‘Triple Crown’ of Motorsport. For four days, Monaco becomes a universe of sensory overload: engine notes pierce the salty air; grease and burning rubber permeate hair and clothes.

It’s the glamorous jewel in the crown of the Formula One circuit, the famous open-cockpit racing series for teams such as Aston Martin Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes-Benz. If you want to reach driving immortality, you must triumph here. “Winning the Monaco Grand Prix is the highlight of any racing driver’s career,” said Nico Rosberg, who won three years in a row and then retired, as there was no further pinnacle achieve in racing.

Held during the last weekend of May, the F1 portion (there is a non-F1 race on Thursday) of the event starts with practice sessions on the Friday before the qualifying races / rounds on the Saturday and the race itself on the Sunday at 2pm. The racer who wins on Saturday gets to be at the front of the line on Sunday and therefore normally also wins the Grand Prix, as it’s very difficult to overtake on this track, making both days races very important.

Tip: While exploring the town, keep your eyes open, as many of the drivers have apartments in Monaco, and with the Cannes Film Festival just down the coast, Monaco will be packed to the gills with celebrity spectators.

História of the Monaco Grand Prix

Here’s a great overview of why this race is so special:

The first race took place in 1929, organized by the Automobile Club of Monaco e Antony Noghès. Since all Grand Prix races must happen within the host country’s borders, the only way the race could be held was in the streets of Monaco. It began as an enthusiast’s car rally and was attended by invitation only. By 1933, the race had gained a prestigious reputation and was known worldwide. In 1955, the race became part of the Formula One World Championship.

A Dangerous Track

The 2.094-mile Circuit de Monaco course winds directly up and down the narrow switchbacks carved by the city streets, making it impossible for even pedestrians to traverse any main arteries. With many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, it is one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. You never know what’s going to happen as this track leaves little margin for error.

The drivers piloting these 1,000-horsepower rocket ships must abruptly shift speeds here, going from 185 mph to just 30 mph as they combat the gravitational force of up to five Gs on tight curves. “To achieve anything,” 1961 Grand Prix winner Stirling Moss famously said, “you must be prepared to dabble on the boundary of disaster.”

The last fatality in the Monaco Grand Prix was in 1962, when Italian driver Lorenzo Bandini died from burns that resulted from crashing his vehicle. Due to the track’s many safety issues, the 1969 event saw the use of barriers placed at certain points. Before then, there was little or nothing to prevent a car from crashing into what was next to the track. That could be trees, lamp posts, buildings, glass windows, the train station or the harbor water.

In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is still a very a dangerous place to race and often involves the intervention of a safety car. Thus, it is the only Grand Prix that does not adhere to the FIA’s safety standards. The average driver changes gears 3,666 times during the 90-minute race, and there are often inferno-inducing crashes—particularly coming out of the course’s tunnel.

Overall, the average speed that you will see on any given race is around 80 to 90 MPH and you can expect a race to last somewhere in the three-hour range. Each race on the Circuit de Monaco consists of 78 laps and the fastest speed ever on the track was in 2007 when it was won with an average speed of 96.654 MPH. The slowest winning speed ever recorded on the Monaco F1 track was just 61.329 MPH and that came at the very first race in 1950. The fastest lap time for the Monaco Grand Prix track was set in 2004 by German racer Michael Schumacher, who finished with a time of 1:14.439.

Here’s three-time Monaco Grand Prix winner (and Monaco resident) Nico Rosberg explaining the ins-and-outs of the track:

Bringing Kids

While it may seem like the Monaco Grand Prix would be great for kids, there are several downsides you should be aware of. The sound of the car engines is positively deafening –even with earplugs– and often too loud for kids sensitive ears. There’s a lot of waiting between races, which kids find very boring. You can’t bring anything bulky into the Grandstands (like a diaper bag or baby carriage). Also, it’s not easy to find a bathroom (unless you’re spending the whole time at your hotel). And unless you brought your nanny, you’ll be stuck babysitting and miss out on all the evening fun.

That said, if you want to bring your kids, they are allowed at the Monaco Grand Prix. Children under five-years-old can attend for free throughout the weekend, though unless they have their own ticket will not have a seat and will need to sit on the parent’s lap. Kids under 16-years-old can attend Thursday’s races for free, and get a discount on tickets for the rest of the races. Make sure to bring construction-style noise-blocking earmuffs, as it’s LOUD and kids often end up crying due to the noise.

How to Watch the Grand Prix

Any seat’s a good one, with the ocean as the backdrop, the city and mountains rising behind you, and cars flying by so close you can feel the ground rumble as they approach. Every balcony, hotel suite, yacht deck and possible patch of the Principality is inhabited by those eager to watch the action. Not surprisingly, tickets for the Monaco Grand Prix are among the hottest in the Formula 1 season, so book as far in advance as you can.

Tip: To avoid getting scammed, make sure to buy from the official organizers, or go with a well-known broker/concierge, preferably one based year-round in Monaco, like Monaco Star Events, who can arrange your entire trip for you, from hotel to viewings to parties.

Bring: Make sure to bring enough cash for refreshments (although all the restaurants take credit cards), earplugs (yes, you’ll need these!), snack bars or trail mix, a phone battery bank (as you’ll have a hard time finding a place to plug it in, and you’ll be using it to take lots of video and photos), plenty of sunblock, sunglasses and a hat for the sun and wind.

Want to watch the race on a screen? You can stream live via YouTube (just search for Monaco Grand Prix live), or select one of these options to watch on live TV.

Here are your viewing options, from least preferable to most luxurious:

General Admission Areas

Two General Admission viewing areas (without a reserved seat) are available at the Monaco Grand Prix. The small Z1 area is located next to Tabac and sells out quickly, while the Secteur Rocher area is located on the hill leading up to the Prince’s Palace and offers distant views of the circuit.

Tickets for the Rocher are the cheapest option for race days, but come with some serious caveats. To get a spot you’ll need to get there very early (no later than 6am!) In fact, quite a few fans camp out over night the Wednesday before the Grand Prix then stay put for the entire four days so they don’t lose their spot. This is general admission (basically, you’re just hanging out on the dirt slope overlooking the port), so bring your own camping-style foldable chairs, and realize that the downside is this: it’ll be crowded, you’ll be surrounded by possibly rowdy hardcore fans, and the cars will look tiny (so bring binoculars). Only go if there is a group of you so there is always someone to look after your place.

Grandstands

If you don’t have a large budget or friends in high places, then you’ll likely be watching from the grandstands (outdoor seating similar to the type you’d find in a stadium). Tickets for unreserved grandstand seats are the cheapest way to watch the races, and provide a good view, but you’ll have to get there extremely early to get a good spot.

Not surprisingly, Monaco sells some of the most expensive Grandstand seats on the current F1 calendar and prices have been rising across the board in recent years. The tight confines of the principality don’t lend themselves well to large seating areas, meaning less than 40,000 grandstand seats are sold in Monaco. Buying F1 tickets at Monaco is a little different to other races, where you normally buy a 3-day ticket and sit in the same seat for the whole weekend. At Monaco, it’s common to buy tickets in different terraces/grandstands for each day of the weekend. 

Most grandstand tickets on Friday are priced at €110. Ticket prices increase to an average of €200 on Saturday and double again to €400 on race day. 3-day grandstand seats in Monaco are priced from €600 (X1, X2) to €1430 (Casino).

Many visitors rush to buy tickets in the grandstand facing Casino Square, although the scope of the race is relatively limited from this admittedly glamorous viewpoint. If you really want to enjoy the festive atmosphere, buy a grandstand ticket in one of the areas in the port from the Tabac corner to La Rascasse , where the race is most exciting.

Here’s a guide to the differences between the grandstand areas e another opinion, complete with videos for each section. Whichever grandstand seat you get, bear in mind that you’ll be either on a bench or a backless seat, so you might want to bring a cushion, earplugs, water (but not in glass), and snacks. None of the seats have shade, so bring a hat and sunscreen. Keep in mind that bulky items like overnight bags and suitcases are not allowed in the Grandstands and there are no lockers for you to stash your stuff.

If you have bought a 2 day or 3 day ticket for the same grandstand, or Gold and Silver packages, you will qualify for a pit lane walk. Check with circuit representatives on the day and be advised that there will be a long queue.

Paddock Club

This is the most social option. The Paddock Club has multiple areas where you can lounge, snack, and mingle with other guests. Located in the Monaco port, the Paddock Club is close to the Pit Lane. While the views aren’t as good as other options (you can only see one bend), tickets include Pit Lane passes, giving you the opportunity to meet the drivers, and the hospitality suite offers bottomless champagne, gourmet luncheons, and F1 earplugs. Tickets to the Paddock Club & Pit Lane cost a minimum of €6,700 per person.

Terraces

Many people pay to watch from an apartment with a terrace overlooking the track (Monaco residents often rent their apartment out for this). Usually this rental is just for the hours of the race, and is catered. Apartment terraces offer the most sweeping views, if you choose a well-situated terrace.

Hotel Rooms

Another option is to book a hotel room with a view of the track. This is the easiest and most comfortable option. There are two hotels worth booking for the Monaco Grand Prix (both hotels offer special 4-night Grand Prix packages):

• At the Hotel de Paris you can book a room with views over Casino Square (the most beautiful view of the race), or have a small terrace overlooking both the sea and a small section of the track. If you book a non-track-facing room then you can still have free access to the track-side garden terrace for exceptionally up-close race viewing. If you want a high-end experience coupled with the ability to be social in a refined way, this is the place to stay. This hotel has three restaurants and one bar, all with unbeatable views of the track.
• At the Fairmont Monte Carlo you can book a room facing the track (you’ll get a view of one hairpin turn). If you book a sea-facing room then you can watch the race from the roof. If you want to drink and party with a younger crowd, this is the place to stay. You’ll get free access to their rooftop lounge, which hosts a ‘Nikki Beach’ DJ pool party and has a decent view of a tight turn on the track.

VIP Boxes

There are temporary structures put up alongside the track by the port — close to the action. These structures are divided into small rooms, which are called VIP boxes. You can buy access to VIP boxes directly from the organizers of the Grand Prix, for €5,250 per person for weekend access. This gives you access to a great view, buffet-style catering, an open bar, and a social atmosphere.

Yachts

Weekly Monaco Grand Prix superyacht charters cost upward of €500,000 (and good luck finding a place in the Condamine to dock it, where you’ll pay up to €128,000 a day to moor during Grand Prix week). Luckily, a superyacht “experience” can be a lot more social and bought for a fraction of the price of a charter; a weekend VIP yacht experience is available from the official organizers for €4,900 for 2 people.

While it’s a great place to watch the race from, nothing epitomizes the beau monde of Monaco’s envious nightlife more than partying under the stars on a superyacht, with the lights of the palace and the Monte Carlo Casino acting as twinkling bookends in the backdrop.

Restaurants

This is the secret that only locals know, and a tip you’ll only find on Iconic Riviera… The way that locals watch (when they’re not watching from their yacht or apartment terrace) is by booking a table for lunch at one of the restaurants that overlook the track. Expect to pay at least €100 to €300 per person, but then you can be served, drink, relax, and watch the race from close-up.

• Hotel de Paris: By far the best restaurants and vantage-points are at this hotel. Treat your taste buds to the menu of a starred chef at the Hotel de Paris’ Louis XV while watching the race up-close from their terrace on casino square. Have lunch track-side at the Salle Empire, which is just elevated enough to give you a perfect view. Get a bird’s-eye view of the track in both the casino square and the port from The Grill. After lunch, head to the famous Bar Americain and watch the race while you sip €30 signature mixed cocktails (or splurge on a €15,000 Dom from 2003) and slowly sink into the soft, padded terrace sofas.
• Have lunch at the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo in the middle of casino square. The barriers block some of the view, but it’s still a fun place to be.
• Watch the race from above while enjoying L’Hirondelle restaurant’s special menu and go swimming or indulge in luxurious spa treatments during race breaks.
• Hôtel Hermitage: The starred restaurant Yannick Alléno and the terrace of the Crystal Bar are also prime locations to enjoy dinner or a drink with a good view of the circuit.
• If you have a lower budget, you can catch the roar of the engines as they speed by La Rascasse (a casual restaurant near the Paddock Club). Ask to be on the 2nd-floor terrace in the far North-East corner.
• Here’s a list of restaurants with pricing and deals (but make sure you reserve well in advance!)

Invite-Only

Companies (such as NetJets) also rent out huge rooftop terraces so they can invite their best customers. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to one of these, you can expect incredible views of the city and the race, free-flowing champagne, gourmet catered meals, DJ sets, and branded gifts (like jackets and caps).

An invite to The Yacht Club De Monaco (where movie stars mix with drivers) is one of the hottest tickets in town. You’ll need to know a member of this club. It’s one of the best places in Monaco to watch the race from, as it’s on the harbor with incredible views of the track and the surrounding yachts.

Even more exclusive is the private team owner and major sponsor viewing rooms above the pits. You’ll need a special invite for this (and some serious earplugs), and you’ll get this view of the cars as they stop in for maintenance:

grande Prêmio Billionaire Itinerary

Wondering how to really go all-out? Here’s our recommendation for doing the Monaco Grand Prix in Billionaire style:

1. Wake up in your suite at the Hotel de Paris (between €22,000 and €44,000 per night).
2. Watch the early races from your suite’s massive terrace or private pool.
3. Each day, pick a different one of the three hotel restaurants for lunch, all of which are overlooking the race track (€300 to €1500 per person).
4. After lunch, sip €30 cocktails at the Bar Americain at the Hotel de Paris while watching the race.
5. Vá a uma festa de iate e misture-se com outros bilionários, supermodelos e pilotos de carros de corrida.
6. Saia para jantar no Sass, Song Qi, Coya, Maya Jah ou em qualquer um dos muitos restaurantes glamorosos e animados de Mônaco.
7. Consiga uma mesa com amigos em uma das festas do Grand Prix (entre € 3.000 e € 15.000) e fique acordado até as 4 da manhã festejando com outros bilionários.
8. Recomece no dia seguinte.

Confira nosso guia de ultra luxo para a Riviera Francesa e nossa guia para experimentar Mônaco como um bilionário para mais…

grande Prêmio Budget Itinerary

Não é um bilionário? Sem problemas! Aqui está um segredo… Os bilhetes para quinta-feira custam apenas 30€ a partir doACM. Ok, você não verá nenhum carro de Fórmula 1 na quinta-feira, mas verá a Porsche Supercup e também a GP2. Este dia tem todos os mesmos ruídos, cheiros, vibrações, sensações, batidas e excitação. Se você insiste em ir com crianças (o que não recomendamos), este é o dia para ir, pois é menos agitado, barulhento e lotado.

Para o fim de semana, o setor Rocher do Grande Prêmio de Mônaco é a área de entrada geral mais barata, com ingressos custando € 120 no dia da corrida e pouco mais de € 300 durante todo o fim de semana. O recinto é apenas para pessoas em pé e está localizado nas encostas que levam à Rocha, com vista para La Piscine e a esquina Anthony Noghes. Para conseguir os melhores lugares, chegue cedo.

Staying in Monaco is handy, but perhaps not very practical for those on a budget. Rooms sell out for thousands of euros way ahead of the race so to get the best deal, try staying in Nice or one of the other towns along the train line, like Menton or even Antibes or Cannes. Don’t discount crossing the border into the Italian town of Ventimiglia either, where hotel prices will be considerably less. Train tickets are less than €10 for a return trip from Nice (20 minutes) or Ventimiglia (36 minutes) if booked in advance, although prices do rise for on-the-day bookings.

After the Race

When the races are done, you can get up-close-and-personal with the cars and drivers by doing the Pit Lane walk, or attending the autograph-signing.

Autograph Sessions

The F1 drivers’ autograph sessions normally take place in the MGP Live Fanzone on Place d’Armes . Entry is FREE, no race ticket required.

F1 Pit Lane Walk

It used to be easy enough to join the Pit-Lane Walk without a weekend ticket, but the organizers have recently tightened the entry requirements, so don’t forget to bring along your Saturday/Sunday tickets. It’s still possible you can get in without a weekend ticket, but we cannot guarantee it. As with everything at Monaco, there is not too much room in the Pit Lane and you can expect serious overcrowding, especially in front of the top teams’ garages and when the drivers are about.  If you don’t like overcrowded spaces, we recommend giving this particular activity a miss.

Where to Party at the Grand Prix

Indiscutivelmente, o maior atrativo para Mônaco durante esse período são as festas épicas e decadentes. Esta é possivelmente a cena de festa mais exclusiva do mundo (além de eventos relacionados a filmes como o Oscar). É aqui que você pode se misturar com a realeza, pilotos de corrida, estrelas do rock, atletas olímpicos, atores, supermodelos, bilionários, líderes empresariais e outras celebridades.

A maneira ideal de experimentar a vida noturna do Grand Prix é começar com um jantar em um restaurante glam, seguido de uma festa no iate e terminar em uma das muitas festas glamorosas de DJs. Há muitas opções quando se trata de onde festejar durante as noites do Grande Prêmio de Mônaco, mas, a menos que você seja uma supermodelo bem relacionada, precisará de bolsos cheios para participar.

Não é incomum ver grandes apostadores gastando centenas de milhares de euros em uma noite em bebida, mesa e taxas de entrada para eles e sua comitiva.

De festas em iates a boates, certifique-se de planejar – e reservar – com antecedência, pois a taxa de porta de última hora (se você conseguir entrar) pode chegar a € 5.000 por cabeça. E prepare-se para uma experiência intensa - a vibração é 100% decadente com uma pitada de burlesco (infelizmente, pode parecer um pouco desatualizado, pois não há dançarinos).

A boate mais famosa de Mônaco é a Jimmy'z. Nas noites de Grande Prêmio, recebe mil Super-VIPs no interior, com outros 1.500 alinhados do lado de fora. Qualquer pessoa que é alguém alegremente desembolsou uma quantia ridícula de dinheiro pela oportunidade de festejar com pilotos de F1, proprietários de equipes e supermodelos durante o fim de semana da F1.

As festas de Grand Prix DJ mais conhecidas são Amber Lounge (uma festa pop-up onde você pode gastar até € 27.000 em uma mesa — por noite), Jimmy'z (a maior discoteca, onde uma mesa custa entre 3.000€ e 15.000€), Twiga (outra boate), Nikki Beach (salão na cobertura ao lado da piscina no Fairmont Hotel), Buddha-Bar (lounge e restaurante) e –nosso preferido– Pôr do sol (uma festa ao ar livre na Meridianpraia privada).

O Grande Prêmio de Mônaco em Movies

Apenas por diversão, aqui está um clipe da corrida de Homem de Ferro 2:

E isso é de um filme de 1966:

Getting Around Monaco

Localização:As ruas de Mônaco, do porto de Condamine a Monte Carlo e vice-versa. Se locomover em Mônaco com tantas estradas bloqueadas pode ser complicado (e você não pode confiar no Google Maps para ajudar!), então certifique-se de pedir ao seu corretor/concierge um mapa detalhado de quais rotas você deve percorrer para chegar do local colocar.

Bloqueios de Rua: O circuito em si é fechado ao tráfego e pedestres todas as manhãs no fim de semana do Grande Prêmio, das 5h30 às 8h, e reaberto após as chegadas na pista, entre 19h30 e 20h30.

Como se locomover: Quando a pista está fechada, dez portões de acesso fornecem acesso. (Veja abaixo os portões de entrada recomendados para cada arquibancada – desculpe, não temos um mapa atual com a localização dos portões, mas eles normalmente ficam próximos às arquibancadas). Dentro do circuito, uma série de pontes, passarelas e túneis dão acesso às arquibancadas, bares, restaurantes e hotéis. A ampla sinalização o ajudará a encontrar o caminho. O acesso a algumas pontes e túneis é restrito aos torcedores portadores de ingresso para as arquibancadas daquele trecho.

Transporte: Veja nossa Guia de transporte de Mônaco para mais informações e detalhes de reserva de trânsito.

Estacionamento: Se você estiver hospedado com a maioria dos fãs fora do principado, recomendamospegando o trempara Mônaco no fim de semana do Grande Prêmio. cada dia. Se você decidir dirigir sozinho, quinta e sexta-feira são os melhores dias para fazer isso, quando há menos fãs e menos tráfego. (Não recomendamos dirigir no fim de semana.) Há muitos estacionamentos subterrâneos perto do circuito, mas é uma boa ideia reservar com antecedência para garantir uma vaga no local de sua preferência.Recomendamos estacionar no estádio de futebol Stade Louis II na área de Fontvieille do principado (Clique aquipara link de mapa). Um dia de estacionamento custa cerca de 20€ e não deverá ter problemas em encontrar lugar, mesmo em dia de corrida.

Grande Prêmio de Mônaco 2023 Event Details

Aviso: Não traga as seguintes coisas, que são proibidas: garrafas de vidro e latas; animais de estimação; itens volumosos como: malas, carrinhos de bebê, bicicletas, patinetes, capacetes, tripés de câmeras, etc.; qualquer objeto que possa causar danos a outro espectador: armas de fogo, facas ou lâminas e, em geral, qualquer objeto contundente que possa ser usado para cortar, seja de metal ou outro. Não há armários ou guarda-volumes.

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Confira a simulação virtual de F1 (vídeo game imersivo) onde você pode fingir que é um piloto na pista de Mônaco.

Adora supercarros? Confira nosso guia para onde ver supercarros e corridas de carros em Mônaco.

Para mais eventos, confira nosso complete Mônaco e a Riviera Francesa Calendário de Eventos.