The principality of Monaco holds one of the oldest races on the Formula One automobile racing circuit. The Monaco Grand Prix, held there annually, was first organized by Antony Noghes, a well-to-do cigarette manufacturer and a resident of Monte Carlo, under the auspices of Prince Louis II through the establishing of the "Automobile Club de Monaco" of which Noghes was the founding president.

Grand Prix motor racing came to Monaco in 1929 when the first Grand Prix of Monaco automobile race was held. The inaugural race was won by William Grover-Williams (aka "Williams") driving a Bugatti painted in what would become the famous British racing green color.

As a street race held on the Circuit de Monaco, which consists of the actual city streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine, the race has many elevation shifts, tight corners, and a narrow course that make it perhaps the most demanding and the most dangerous track still in use in Formula One racing. In many ways, the Monaco course is an anachronism unsuitable for the race category because the narrow streets make it near-impossible to overtake on the track. However, its history and the spectacle of the event are likely to guarantee the event's future for some time yet.

The Monaco Grand Prix was one of the inaugural races in the Formula One championship in 1950. However, there was no race in 1951, and in 1952 the Monaco Grand Prix took place but was not included within the Formula One championship. Since 1955, the Monaco Grand Prix has taken place each year and has been raced as part of the Formula One championship.

The Grand Prix of Monaco is organized each year by the Automobile Club de Monaco who also runs the Monte Carlo Rally and the Monaco Kart Cup.

Winners of the Monaco Grands Prix

Monaco Grand Prix advertisement from 1934

Events which were not part of the Formula One World Championhip are indicated by a pink background.

External links

• Automobile Club de Monaco (http://www.acm.mc/)