The team founded by Enzo Ferrari managed to snatch 10 victories on the complex layout of the prestigious Monaco GP.
10 Ferrari victories at the Monaco GP: Before and after Schumacher
Monaco is the most glamorous stage in the Formula 1 championship, but its circuit is also one of the toughest – reflexes, control of the car and concentration of the driver are essential here.
Ferrari at the Monaco GP…
If we want to trace the history of Ferrari victories at the legendary Monaco GP, the first ocurred at the 12th Monaco Grand Prix. Traditionally, this event takes place on a Sunday. On Sunday June 2, 1952, the monohull racing cars set out to conquer this circuit with 19 bends. But this year the GP is special, as it is not part of the F1 world championship program. The organizers preferring to focus on the sport category!
In this 12th Monaco Formula Sport Grand Prix above 2,000 cc, it was Count Marzotto who, behind the wheel of his Ferrari, completed its laps in 3:21:28.
A formidable victory for Ferrari in a devastating race
Three years later, this time at the F1 world championship, the Monaco GP sees a formidable fight take place on its track. Fangio and Stirling Moss’s formidable Mercedes W196s are the favorites of this edition. But suddenly, their engines break, both of them!
The oil then spilled on the circuit which caused one of the most devastating crashes in F1 history. When braking in the dreaded chicane of the Monaco GP layout, the driver Alberto Ascari loses control of his Lancia D50… And ends up in the waters of the port of Monaco!
The Scuderia Ferrari, managed by its two drivers, Giuseppe Farina and Maurice Trintignant, was part of this race. At the wheel of a former Type 625 single-seater, it was Ferrari driver Maurice Trintignant who took the victory. In 2:58:09, Maurice Trintignant will complete a triple victory that went down in history.
By becoming the first French driver to win a world championship event, Trintignant also gave Ferrari his 20th victory. And his 20th world championship victory as an engine manufacturer. An iconic engine named V12 whose story is told here.
In 1975 and 1976, Niki Lauda’s double for Ferrari further anchored the team’s domination of the Rampant Stallion.
Niki Lauda has established himself at this Monaco GP as one of the best drivers of his generation.
Ferrari becomes unstoppable in its triumphs
Another key victory for Ferrari in the Monaco GP was achieved by Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve in 1981. But the victory is mainly due to the driver’s dexterity.
His turbo Ferrari, equipped with a very powerful engine, is not agile enough for the curvy track of the GP of Monaco. A real tightrope act of a challenge, Gilles Villeneuve won in 1:54:23.
The driver thus gives Ferrari its 80th victory as a manufacturer. And his 80th victory as an engine manufacturer. All of this gives you an understanding of the power of Ferrari on the F1 circuits.
And the best is yet to come.
Ferrari at the Monaco GP: After Schumacher
Of the Ferrari victories at this GP, we especially remember the phenomenal successes of Michael Schumacher. At the wheel of his supercharged Ferraris, the genius driver has mastered this circuit which, in the rain, can very quickly become a humiliating defeat.
On Sunday 11 May 1997, it was in torrential rain that Michael Schumacher demonstrated his mastery of the wheel, and the exemplary know-how of Ferrari. He thus completed the 78 Tours in 2h 05 min 654 s – while this Monaco race saw a lot of disqualifications. Michael Schumacher claimed the fastest lap record in 1:53.
On Sunday May 16, 1999, it was again he who won the Monaco GP. In 2001, Schumacher dominated the circuit with such skill that he won the Monaco GP having completed 73 laps at the head of the race!
But this 2001 victory marked a pause in Ferrari’s success in Monaco … It took 16 years until Sebastian Vettel brought Ferrari back to the top of the podium in 2017.
And that’s a double! In this edition, Ferrari has indeed achieved the ideal result: at the wheel of their Ferrari SF70H, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen cross the finish line together.
We now understand what is at stake in the Monaco GP for Ferrari. A crucial stage in the F1 championship, and a very prestigious stage to be held this Sunday 23 May 2021. And the results of the practice session show Ferrari in great shape!