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MON - MONACO
MONTECARLO
SORRY, SOME DATA ARE NOT TRANSLATED YET
Description  
Location Montecarlo
Location Around Montecarlo harbour
Latitude - Longitude + 43°44'14"     + 7°25'30"
43.737222     7.425
UTM Coordinates X = 373169.06  -  Y = 4843892.678  -  Zone 32T
Aerial photo / Map (*) Aerial photo / Map (*) OpenStreetMap  -   Aerial photo / Map (*) Google Maps  -   Aerial photo / Map (*) Bing Maps  -   Aerial photo / Map (*) Flash Earth  -   Aerial photo / Map (*) Wikimapia  -   Aerial photo / Map (*) GéoPortail
Altitude AMSL 1 m - 3 ft
Inauguration April 14th 1929
Closing  
Designer  
Sources and links (Translation) (**)
(1) English World Motor Racing Circuits: A Spectator’s Guide (page 118)Author: Peter Higham, Bruce Jones - Published by: Andre Deutsch - year: 1999 - ISBN: 0-233-99619-2
Description
(2) English Motor Racing Circuits of Europe (page 86)Author: Louis Klemantaski & Michael Frostick - Published by: Batsford Book - year: 1958
Description
(3) German Grand Prix de Monaco Author: Rainer W. Schlegelmilch, Norbert Michel, Hartmut Lehbrink - Published by: Könemann - year: 1998 - ISBN: 3829006586
Pages 78 (1952), 84 (1955), 90 (1956), 94 (1957). Thanks to Nick A. Tsentikopoulos, who emailed me these info
(4) English ForumForum --> Europe --> France --> MON - Monte Carlo [ENG] (among other stuffs there are maps and a photo of temporary kart track)
(5) English forums.autosport.com (...)Autosport.com Bulletin Board --> The Nostalgia Forum --> The tunnel
(6) Italian scalexsanremo.altervista.org/monaco_kart_cup_2009.htmlMap of 2009 kart circuit
(7) English www.cikfia.com/News2008/Monaco.htm2007÷2008 kart track
(8) English www.panoramio.com/user/761553/tags/MonacoPhotos by Roelard Smit
(9) English www.racingcircuits.netMotor Racing Circuits Database
(10) Italian www.tazionuvolari.it/corse6it.htmTazio Nuvolari’s official website
(11) Italian Autosprint 2/1964 (page 53)Map 1963 edition
(12) Italian Autosprint 20/1967 (page 15)Map
(13) Italian Autosprint 21/1969 (page 20)Mappa e dati essenziali
(14) Italian Autosprint 18/1971 (page 42)Mappa 1971
(15) Italian Autosprint 30/1971 (page 8)Il giudizio di Stewart
(16) Italian Autosprint 7/1972 (page 16)Mondifiche 1972 e proposte di modifiche future (con mappe)
(17) Italian Autosprint 16/1972 (page 15)Proposal for future layout
(18) Italian Autosprint 47/1972 (page 32)Novità 1973: la chicane del porto, la curva Rascasse e niente tunnel
(19) Italian Autosprint 21/1973 (page 4)Novità 1973 (con foto)
(20) Italian Autosprint 17/1976 (page 35)
(21) Italian Autosprint 21/1977 (page 28)Novità 1977
(22) Italian Autosprint 23/1978 (page 32)1978 proposal
(23) Italian Autosprint 19/1983 (page 31)Presentazione del circuito prima del GP Monaco 1983
(24) Italian Rombo 13/1986 (page 34)Come cambia la chicane
(25) Italian Autosprint 14/1986 (page 18)New chicane layout
(26) Italian Rombo 18/1989 (page 26)I nuovi box
(27) Italian Autosprint 9/2000 (page 16)FIA changes measuring measuring system: new official lenght
(28) Italian Autosprint 41/2002 (page 9)Temporary street kart track used on October 12th 2002
(29) Italian Autosprint 21/2003 (page 34)Track history in details
(30) Italian Autosprint 17/2004 (page 39)Come cambierà la zona dei box (in breve)
(31) Italian Autosprint 18/2004 (page 34)Come cambierà la zona dei box (con dettagli)
(32) Italian Autosprint 20/2010 (page 30)2010 changes
(33) Italian Autosprint 17/2012 (page 32)Minor news 2012
(34) English French www.acm.mcOfficial website
(35) English www.monaco.mc/monaco/gprix/circuit.htmlOfficial website

(*) NOTE: a complete and detailed view of the circuit can be found (if available) on Street View by Google Maps and/or Bird's Eye and 3D views by Bing Maps for Enterprise (former Microsoft Virtual Earth): both can be reached using their own link in Aerial photo / Map cell.

(**) For on-line not-English speaking sources, click on each small flag and you open the corresponding Google Translator page with automatic translation.

Montecarlo
Description Original layout
Years 1929÷1950
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration April 14th 1929
Closing 1950
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 3180  m 10433  ft 1.976  mi   (10)

Montecarlo
Description Changes to the track:
  • 1952: S.te Devote corner was slightly changed
  • 1955: The start directly alongside the harbor, a few hundred meters from Virage des Gazomètre (not shown on the map). Maybe it was at the mid distance from Tabac to Gazomètre.
  • 1956: narrower chicane for safety reasons
  • 1957÷1962: some minor changes to the chicane
  • 1963÷1967: the start were placed again where it is today.
  • 1968÷1971: After Bandini’s fatal crash in 1967, chicane was set 100 m further in the direction of Virage du Tabac and it was narrower. Race was shortened from 100 to 80 laps.
Years 1952÷1972
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration 1952
Closing 1972
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 3145  m 10318  ft 1.954  mi   (3)

Montecarlo
Description At the beginning of 1970s, the classical Montecarlo circuit was considered too dangerous. Even if a temporary solution was found for 1972, some more layouts were proposed to be used not before 1974. Track extension causes less traffic on the track and more room for paying spectators. None of these proposals were developed, even if 1973 layout was very similar to proposal A. For name of the corners, please see 1929-1971 map.

Proposal A: Piscine - Cale de Halage
According to this proposal, a new pier should have been built between Tabac bend and Gazomètre hairpin, going around swimming pool towards the sea. This proposal was quite expensive and possibly the track could have been disturbes by eventual high waves. I don’t know if there was another proposal (not shown here) to extend the circuit even on Quai Antoine 1er, the road that goes from Gazomètre hairpin around the harbour. Difference between this and 1973 layouts are only on the last corner: in the latter Gazomètre hairpin was replaced by new Rascasse corner.

Proposal B: Avenue de Grand-Bretagne
According to this proposal, the new section should start from the descent before Mirabeau corner and it should have been gone to Avenue de Grand-Bretagne; then using the old railways path, it should have been linked to the traditional circuit at Old Station hairpin. Traffic paralysis is the main problem of this proposal.

Proposal C: Hall du Centenaire
According to this proposal, the new section should start just before Portier corner and it should have been gone to Avenue de la Princesse Grace; then going around Hall du Centenaire, and it should have been linked to the traditional circuit at Portier, a straight and not anymore a corner.

Proposal D: Beach
According to Jackie Stewart and Autosprint, this was the most likely proposal. It was done by M.Bernadette, journalist of Equipe and it is nearly the doubling of the traditional circuit. The new section should start at Old Station corner and it should join Avenue de Grand-Bretagne where the latter meet Route du Beach. Then the circuit should cross the French border, and then it should go back through Avenue de la Princesse Grace abd going in front of Sporting d’Ete, the new Sea Club, Hall du Centenaire, Atelier Pastor and it should have been linked to the traditional circuit at Portier, a straight and not anymore a corner.
Years 1972
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal Proposal  YES
Proposal not developed YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update February 1972
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 5984  m 19633  ft 3.718  mi Course D (16)

Montecarlo
Description At beginning of 1970s traditional circuit was considered too dangerous. While waiting for substantial changes to be done in following years, requirement for 1972 GP was to have a pit lane separated from the track by an armco barrier. As it was not possible to do this on Boulevard Albert I (traditional start/finish straight), because the track was too narrow, while waiting for a final solution pits complex was moved from its traditional site to a traffic island to the right of the final straight at the Quai des Etats-Unis (before Tabac bend). The old chicane was turned into an access road and it was replaced by a new, narrower chicane 80 m - 87.5 yd. before the Tabac bend. This solution puzzled because safety run off area at the new chicane was very short and because pit lane entry and exit crossed standard race line. Start/finish line was still in the traditional position.
Years 1972
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration 1972
Closing 1972
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 3145  m 10318  ft 1.954  mi   (3)

Montecarlo
Description Changes to the track:
  • 1973÷1974: Beyond the Tabac bend an extension of the circuit, won from the sea, passed around the swimming pool. There was a new narrow bend at Rascasse, replacing the Gazomètre hairpin. Pits were moved back on start/finish straight, but for the first time there was also a proper pit-lane, which was completely separate from the track. Besides the old tunnel was replaced by a new one much longer, after a new hotel was built over the track.
  • 1975: narrower chicane
Years 1973÷1975
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration 1973
Closing 1975
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 3278  m 10755  ft 2.037  mi   (3)

Montecarlo
Description Changes to the track:
  • 1976: Two new chicanes: one at S.te Devote and one (Anthony Noghes) after the double bend at Rascasse. At S.te Devote during three days of the event several temporary solution were used: the first day the chicane was defined by some sand-bags and it was very dangerous. After some works lasted one night, a better solution was found, but criticism didn’t stop. Old section of the track no longer in use now is used as run-off area. Swiming pool corners have been softed and guard rails have been moved as back as possible in order to increase visibility.
  • 1977÷1985: S.te Devote chicane was improved: the layout is the same used in 1976, but new armco barrier were installed along internal edge and a large run off area was introduced at the external side, towards S.te Devote church, by eliminating the tribune that usually was placed there.
Years 1976÷1985
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration 1976
Closing 1985
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 3312  m 10866  ft 2.058  mi   (3)

Montecarlo
Description In 1978 a lengthen had been proposed after Old Station downhill: Mirabeau and Portier corners should have been abandoned, track should have had a new hairpin behind Mirabeau Hotel. A straight near the sea should have allowed to reach a higher speed when arriving in the harbour area.
Years 1978
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal Proposal  YES
Proposal not developed YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration  
Closing  
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  

Montecarlo
Description The chicane was a set of right-angled bends once a new section of track had been created above the sea (layout still in use today). The bump in Rascasse had been ironed out, and the section following the double bend had been remodelled, enabling the cars to accelerate away more fiercely.
Years 1986÷1996
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration 1986
Closing 1996
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 3328  m 10919  ft 2.068  mi   (3)

Montecarlo
Description The original first S-bend around the swimming pool was redesigned and called Virage Louis Chiron
Years 1997÷2002
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration 1997
Closing 2002
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 3367  m 11047  ft 2.092  mi   (9)
length 3378  m 11083  ft 2.099  mi Temporary unconfirmed track length, while waiting for new measuring systems (Spring 2000) (27)
length 3370  m 11056  ft 2.094  mi Official track length from 2000, when FIA changed measuring system (track unchanged) (27)

Montecarlo
Description  
Years 2003
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration 2003
Closing 2003
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 3340  m 10958  ft 2.075  mi   (9)

Montecarlo
Description Before 2010 GP some changes were made. New curbs are high at Chicane and Piscine (swimming pool) and some section af the track were repaved: on uphill to Sainte Devote, from Casino to tunnell entry and after the tunnel itself. Before 2012 GP pit lane has been widened (from 10 to 20 m) and the circuit has been repaved from tunnel exit to Racasse. Moreover, some more changes have been made to run off areas and safety devices (S.te Devote, Mirabeau, chicane, Piscine, pits)
Years 2004÷...
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational  
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration 2004
Closing  
Last update of this page April 26th 2012
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 3340  m 10958  ft 2.075  mi   (9)

2002 Kart
Description Track used on October 12th 2002 for 2nd Karting Star Cup. It uses a part of F.1 track: swiming pool chicane, Rascasse, pit lane, Virage du Tabac.
This event occurred also in following years, but I don’t know if it used this track layout or another one
Years 2002
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit YES
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration October 12th 2002
Closing October 12th 2002
Last update of this page November 20th 2007
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points Virage Louis Chiron - Piscine - Rascasse - Pit lane - Tabac

Kart
Description Track layout for temporary kart track in use in 2007 and 2008, probably also before. In 2009 the track layout was the same, but start/finish line was moved
Years ?÷2007÷2009
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational YES
Car Circuit  
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration  
Closing October 18th 2009
Last update of this page October 8th 2010
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  
length 1072  m 3517  ft 0.666  mi   (7)
Width 8  m 26  ft      (7)

Kart
Description  
Years 2010
Direction Clockwise   Clockwise
Progetto Proposal NO
No longer operational  
Car Circuit  
Motorbike circuit  
Type Street course
Inauguration October 15th 2010
Closing  
Last update of this page October 8th 2010
Info last update  
Designer  
Distinctive points  

Montecarlo 1968÷1971

Montecarlo 1968÷1971

Montecarlo: proposal A (1972), Piscine - Cale de Halage

Montecarlo: proposal A (1972), Piscine - Cale de Halage

Montecarlo: proposal A (1972), Piscine - Cale de Halage

Montecarlo: proposal A (1972), Piscine - Cale de Halage

Montecarlo: proposal A (1972), Piscine - Cale de Halage

Montecarlo 1986: new chicane

Montecarlo 1986: new chicane

Montecarlo: temporary street kart track, 2002

Montecarlo: temporary street kart track, 2002

Montecarlo: temporary street kart track, 2010

Montecarlo: temporary street kart track, 2010


PHOTOS

Photo taken during Monaco Kart Cup 2008 and here published with author’s permission

Photos by Marco Cot - October 2008
Click on thumbnail to open original large photo

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Updates
Date Track layout Years Description by Map by Thanks to Note
June 18th 2024     Guido de Carli     Update Description
April 27th 2012     Guido de Carli     Update Description
October 8th 2010     Guido de Carli Guido de Carli Marco Cot Update Description with map
May 19th 2010   2004÷... Guido de Carli     Update Description
May 19th 2010 Kart ?÷2007÷2009 Guido de Carli   Marco Cot Update Photos (on this site)
June 17th 2008     Guido de Carli   Roelard Smit Update Photos (link)
June 17th 2008 Kart ?÷2007÷2009 Guido de Carli   Roelard Smit Update Description
February 26th 2006   1976÷1985 Guido de Carli     Update Description
November 9th 2005   1972 Guido de Carli     Update Description
November 9th 2005   1972 Guido de Carli Guido de Carli   Update Description with map
January 16th 2005   1976÷1985 Guido de Carli     Update Description
May 30th 2004     Guido de Carli     Update Description
May 4th 2004     Guido de Carli     Update Description
April 16th 2004     Guido de Carli Guido de Carli   Update Map
March 16th 2004     Guido de Carli Guido de Carli   Update Description with map
March 12th 2003     Guido de Carli     Update Description
December 7th 2002 2002 Kart 2002 Guido de Carli     Update Description
November 11th 2002 2002 Kart 2002 Guido de Carli     Update Description
November 1st 2002 2002 Kart 2002 Guido de Carli Guido de Carli   New Description with map
Not all eventual updates issued in last years are already visible in this list
 
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