The Formula 1 World Championship heads to Monte Carlo next week for its latest round, with the Monaco Grand Prix serving as the incoming round’s event.
For decades, the Monaco GP has been one of the largest and most famous races in the world. It is also known as the “crown jewel” of the F1 calendar.
Monaco GP is a spectacular combination of fast-paced and incredibly precise racing, along with the glamorous backdrop of the French Riviera.
Due to the narrow streets and unforgiving barriers, numerous elevation changes and virtually no margin for error, the Monaco GP is considered one of the most difficult race weekends on the F1 calendar.
The 2026 edition of the Monaco GP will take place in June and will be the eighth round of this year’s Formula 1 Championship.
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This article will provide you with all the information you’ll need regarding the 2026 Monaco GP, including key dates and race timings.
Monaco GP 2026 schedule
The race weekend will begin on Friday, June 5, with the opening two practice sessions, then the Qualifying will take place on Saturday, June 6, and the main race is scheduled for Sunday, June 7.
| Session | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Free Practice 1 | Friday, June 5 | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Free Practice 2 | Friday, June 5 | 8:30 PM -9:30 PM |
| Free Practice 3 | Saturday, June 6 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Qualifying | Saturday, June 6 | 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Race | Sunday, June 7 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
Where will the Monaco Grand Prix 2026 take place?
The Monaco Grand Prix takes place in the historic Circuit de Monaco, based in Monte Carlo.
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What sets this race apart from other Formula 1 races is that it uses the regular streets of a city instead of a purpose-built track for races.
Monaco is unique in being a street circuit because of the narrowness of the streets and tight corners. It is also known for the change in elevation and the different landmarks, such as Sainte Devote corner, Casino Square, Fairmont Hairpin curve, Monaco tunnel, and La Rascasse.
The full distance of the Monaco circuit is 3.337km long, and 78 laps are run during the Grand Prix event.
Why Monaco is considered Formula 1’s biggest race
The Monaco Grand Prix is not just another F1 event; it is actually one of the top race events in history.
It is often referred to as one of the biggest races in the world, along with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and together they make up what is known as the “Triple Crown of Motorsports”.
The first Monaco Grand Prix took place in 1929, but did not become part of an F1 World Championship season until 1950.
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Historically, the Monaco Grand Prix has become the definition of the luxurious glitz and glamour associated with Formula 1.
Luxe yachts, rich and famous celebrity spectators and regal guests, together with an international media presence annually, create a buzz that brings the spotlight onto the Monaco Grand Prix each year.
Monaco continues to be one of the toughest circuits for drivers because there are so few opportunities to pass cars on our crowded track.
Thereby, Monaco qualifying is historically more critical than at any other track on the schedule.
If you miss a corner or are too aggressive to gain an advantage during an overtaking attempt, your day can very well be over, with large, solid, concrete walls just a few inches off the edge of the circuit in certain sections along the entire length of the course.
Lando Norris to enter Monaco as defending winner
McLaren driver Lando Norris will be entering the 2026 Monaco GP weekend as the defending winner. He won the 2025 edition, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and teammate Oscar Piastri.
He has also described the Monaco race as one of his favourite race weekends and has recently claimed that Ferrari can be a serious competitor for everyone, as it has strong low-speed corner performance.
Historical Moments of the Monaco Grand Prix
There have been some of the greatest moments in Formula 1 history in Monaco.
Here are some of the most memorable moments in Monaco’s history:
- Ayrton Senna is famous for his incredible performances during the late 1980s and early 90s.
- In a wild race, Olivier Panis won from 14th place on the grid at the 1996 race.
- The controversial qualifying incident involving Michael Schumacher at Rascasse in 2006.
- The Monaco GP was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it the first time since 1954 that a race was not run.
The unpredictability of the Monaco GP is what makes it one of the most anticipated race weekends on the Formula 1 calendar.
Where to watch the Monaco Grand Prix 2026?
All the F1 fans can see the Monaco GP 2026 via official F1 broadband and streaming partners.
The race weekend (practice sessions, qualifying and race day) will be shown on live television and by various streams of F1 programming.
To keep up with the live timing of the race, updates on how the race is progressing, and the current standings, fans can go to F1’s official online platforms, like Instagram, X and Facebook.
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