With exactly one third of the 2006 season completed, the Formula One circus moves on to the jewel in its crown - Monaco.
As you might expect from a circuit unlike no other on the contemporary F1 calendar, the Monaco Grand Prix has served to underline the talent of some of the greats in F1 history, while at the same time giving some more unheralded drivers their 15 minutes of fame.
Rudolf Caracciola (Mercedes-Benz SSK) © LAT |
The inaugural Monaco Grand Prix was held in 1929, based on a suggestion by local cigarette magnate Anthony Noghes (after whom the last corner on the circuit is now named). The first winner was a British driver, William Grover Williams, whose colorful life ended when he was shot by the Gestapo during World War II.
Monaco was scheduled as round two of the inaugural Formula One World Championship in 1950. Scuderia Ferrari made their championship debut, having elected to miss the opener at Silverstone, and they brought three cars - for Alberto Ascari, Luigi Villoresi and Raymond Sommer.