Formula 1 returns to Monte Carlo for round six of the 2026 season, opening the European run into the summer. The principality’s streets are set for one of the sport’s showpiece weekends, where qualifying precision often dictates the race outcome.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli heads to Monaco on the back of victory at the Canadian Grand Prix. He stretched his lead over teammate George Russell to 43 points after Russell retired from the lead in that race.
Monaco Grand Prix schedule (all times BST)
- Friday, June 5: Practice 1 (12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.); Practice 2 (4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, June 6: Practice 3 (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.); Qualifying (3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
- Sunday, June 7: Grand Prix (2:00 p.m.)
How to watch
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports holds exclusive F1 rights in 2026, with every session live on Sky Sports F1. Monaco sessions will also be shown on Sky Sports Main Event. Highlights for non-subscribers will air free-to-air on Channel 4.
- United States: Subscribers can stream every session on Apple TV via a new F1 channel on the platform.
Monaco GP track: Circuit de Monaco
The narrow, twisting 3.3km lap leaves overtaking at a premium on Sunday, amplifying the value of track position. Many drivers live nearby, and it is truly a home race for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who grew up in the principality and learned to swim at the pool that lends its name to the Turns 14-15 chicane. Leclerc has been prolific over one lap and holds the record for the most pole positions in the modern F1 era, underscoring how decisive qualifying can be here.
Monaco’s heritage and the importance of Saturday
The event has a deep history, having first appeared on the world championship calendar in 1950. The combination of blind corners, bumps and close barriers means Saturday’s qualifying session is often the most consequential hour of the weekend.
Key stats
- Race distance: 78 laps of 3.3km (total 260km)
- Lap record: 1:09.954 — Lando Norris (2025)
- Most Monaco wins: Ayrton Senna (6 — 1987, 1989-1993)
- Most poles: Ayrton Senna (5 — 1985, 1988-1991)
- Monaco winners on the current grid: Fernando Alonso (2006-2007), Lewis Hamilton (2008, 2016, 2019), Max Verstappen (2021, 2023), Charles Leclerc (2024), Lando Norris (2025)
- Monaco pole sitters on the current grid: Alonso (2006-2007), Hamilton (2015, 2019), Verstappen (2023), Leclerc (2021-2022, 2024), Norris (2025)
Previous Monaco GP winners
- 2014: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
- 2015: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
- 2016: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- 2017: Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
- 2018: Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
- 2019: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- 2021: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2022: Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
- 2023: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2024: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 2025: Lando Norris (McLaren)
Weather forecast
Friday’s practice could be disrupted by light rain, with highs around 19°C. Forecasts indicate sunshine, a gentle breeze and highs near 27°C for Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s race.
What happened last year?
McLaren’s Lando Norris took his first Monaco Grand Prix victory. He secured pole position by 0.109s, setting him up for success on race day.
What to watch next
With overtaking limited, Saturday qualifying at 3:00 p.m. BST is likely to shape the 78-lap contest. Monitor Friday’s weather and how championship leader Antonelli and teammate Russell respond ahead of lights out at 2:00 p.m. BST on Sunday.
Source: espn.com