MONACO GRAND PRIX
What F1 drivers have the most wins at the Monaco Grand Prix and who has the most pole positions?
Max Verstappen, who is chasing a second straight victory in Monaco, has a way to go if he wants to equal the tally of the track’s most successful F1 driver.
Max Verstappen is chasing the third Monaco Grand Prix win of his career on Sunday, after winning two of the last three races in the principality - but the Formula 1 championship leader is remaining cautious about his chances this weekend.
Who is Monaco’s most decorated F1 driver?
Having taken the chequered flag in Monte Carlo in 2021 and 2023, Verstappen has the opportunity to become the joint fifth-most successful driver at the Circuit de Monaco, alongside Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
Were the Dutchman to draw level with that illustrious quartet, though, the Red Bull driver would still be only half way to equalling the record for Monaco race wins, which is held by the late Ayrton Senna. Having first taken victory in Monaco in 1987, the legendary Brazilian then won five times in a row at the circuit between 1989 and 1993. Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher are both one behind Senna with five wins each, and Alain Prost is fourth on the all-time list, with four victories. Senna also boasts the most pole positions in Monaco, with five.
Drivers with the most wins at Monaco GP
- 1: Ayrton Senna - 6
- 2: Graham Hill - 5
- =: Michael Schumacher - 5
- 4: Alain Prost - 4
- 5. Stirling Moss - 3
- =: Jackie Stewart - 3
- =: Nico Rosberg - 3
- =: Lewis Hamiltion - 3
“Monaco never is very straightforward”
While Verstappen has an excellent recent record in Monaco - and has won five of the first seven races in the 2024 F1 season - he has warned that Red Bull’s car is not in its element on slower-speed tracks such as this one.
“I think looking at the track layout it’s probably not going to be our best track, just because our car normally struggles a bit over bumps and kerbs,” the three-time defending world champion said on Thursday. “We did work on it a bit compared to last year. I think so far on most of the tracks that we’ve been to our low-speed performance has improved a little bit, but I don’t think this is going to be a very easy weekend.
“But I think Monaco never is very straightforward, even when you’re supposed to have the best car. Monaco is a very tricky track to get everything to work, to get the tyres to work in a quali[fying] lap, for example, red flags, there’s always a lot of disruption.”
Monaco Grand Prix: dates, start times, how to watch
After two practice sessions on Friday 24 May - at 7:30am ET and 11am ET, respectively - there will be a final practice at 6:30 am ET on Saturday 25 May. Qualifying will then take place at 10am ET on Saturday, before the race itself is held at 9am ET on Sunday 26 May. Viewers in the United States will be able to watch the action in Monaco on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
You can also stream the Monaco Grand Prix live on fuboTV, which offers users a free introductory trial.
Monaco Grand Prix: 2024 betting odds
Despite his cautious outlook on his prospects at the Circuit de Monaco, Verstappen is the bookmakers’ overwhelming favourite to come out on top this weekend. According to betting information compiled by Oddschecker, the 26-year-old is most commonly priced at 8/11 to win on Sunday, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc the leading alternative contenders. Norris and Leclerc are both chiefly rated at 5/1.
Verstappen leads the 2024 World Drivers’ Championship standings with 161 points, ahead of Leclerc on 113. Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate, Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez, currently sits third on 107 points, six more than Norris.