The Formula 1 circus has settled itself ...

Published on 21 May 1998 by Verstappen Info Page

The Formula 1 circus has settled itself for the weekend in Monaco where the famous Monaco Grand Prix will be staged on Sunday. Exactly 48 years ago, on May 21 1950, the first Monaco Grand Prix was staged here. This race was won by Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio in his Alfa Romeo. The Monaco Grand Prix is always staged around Ascension Day. The first free practice is always on Thursday and Friday is a day off.

One of the nice aspects of this street circuit is that the results aren't very predictable. The performance of the car alone isn't enough to win here. In the first free Thursday practice session the McLaren's where not almighty and it was Michael Schumacher who set the fastest time of 1:23.685. Second was Mika Hakkinen and third Heinz-Harald Frentzen, last year's pole-sitter. The top 6 was completed by Coulthard, Herbert and Fisichella. Another surprising detail was that five drivers where outside the 107 % limit: Damon Hill, both Tyrrell's and both Minardi's.

For a complete overview of all results you can take a look at our season page.