Charting Monte Carlo’s fabled corners

Sainte Devote (turn 1)

The short run to the first corner is named after a chapel behind the barriers on turn 1, built to honour fourth-century martyr Saint Devota, the patron saint of Monaco and Corsica.

Beau Rivage (turn 2)

From there, cars race uphill through the section called Beau Rivage, which translates to ‘beautiful shoreline’.

Massenet (turn 3)

The left-hander is named after opera composer Jules Massenet whose bust resides outside the barriers of the corner. An opera house is located here, as well.

Casino square (turn 4)

This is one of the most famous parts of Monaco, with the cars zipping through the entrance to the casino.

Mirabeau (turns 5 & 7)

The right-handers are named after the hotel here and sandwich the hairpin. It’s one of the few places on the tight circuit where a pass can be made, but the chances of an accident are high, too. During qualifying in 2014, Nico Rosberg, on provisional pole, locked up on his final run and controversially left his car near the run-off, bringing out yellow flags and neutralising teammate Lewis Hamilton’s efforts to get pole.

The hairpin (turn 6)

This is the slowest corner on the F1 calendar, taken at 50 kmph, and requires maximum steering lock. Drivers ambitiously try to out-brake others and overtake, but more often than not it doesn’t stick. The hairpin’s name changes depending on the name of the hotel nearby.

Portier (turn 8)

A double right-hander overlooking the sea, following the hairpin and just before cars enter the tunnel. It’s named after a catholic order. The turn is famous for an incident in 1988 when Ayrton Senna crashed while leading teammate and bitter rival Alain Prost by a significant margin.

Tunnel and Nouvelle chicane (turns 9-11)

From Portier, cars enter a tunnel and come blasting out of it, braking hard to take the chicane. It’s called Nouvelle or ‘new’ after it was re-profiled three decades ago. Another overtaking opportunity.

Tabac (turn 12)

Cars build up speed and race through this fast left-handed corner, so named because of the location of a tobacconist shop here.

Swimming pool section (turns 13-16)

This was added in 1973 after the local government built a municipal swimming pool. Previously, it was one long road from Tabac to the two final corners.

La Rascasse (turn 17)

Named after an old fisherman’s bar, which is now an upscale restaurant. It gained fame when Michael Schumacher parked his car in 2006 during qualifying to hinder Fernando Alonso’s run. The German was stripped of pole and forced to start last.

Anthony Noghes (turns 18 & 19)

The final corner leading to the start/finish straight is named after the man who came up with the idea of a race through the streets of Monte Carlo back in the 1920s.