McLaren at the Monaco Grand Prix
McLaren and Monaco: a winning alliance
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious events on the Formula 1 calendar. With its narrow streets and glamorous atmosphere, this race has often been the stage for McLaren’s greatest performances. Since the 1970s, the British team has written some of the most iconic chapters in Monaco’s history, with legendary drivers such as Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Mika Häkkinen, and Lewis Hamilton.
The 1970s: McLaren’s first victories
McLaren secured its first Monaco victory in 1974 with Emerson Fittipaldi, who triumphed in the M23. This victory marked the beginning of a special relationship between the British team and the Principality. Three years later, in 1977, Jody Scheckter, then a McLaren driver, finished second behind Niki Lauda, proving the team’s competitiveness on this unique circuit.
The 1980s: the Prost era and rising dominance
McLaren began asserting its dominance in Monaco in the 1980s. Alain Prost won the 1984 edition under torrential rain, after a controversial race stoppage while a young Ayrton Senna was rapidly closing in with his modest Toleman. This victory marked the start of an impressive winning streak for the British team.
In 1985 and 1986, Prost claimed back-to-back wins, solidifying McLaren as a powerhouse in Monaco. In 1988, Senna and Prost dominated the weekend, but the Brazilian, leading with more than a 50-second advantage, crashed at Portier Corner, handing victory to Prost. This incident became a defining moment in their rivalry.
The 1990s: the Senna-McLaren era of dominance
Ayrton Senna and McLaren formed one of the most legendary partnerships in Formula 1 history, particularly at Monaco. From 1989 to 1993, Senna won five consecutive races in the streets of the Principality, bringing his total to six victories, a record that still stands today.
His Monaco performances remain the stuff of legend: in 1989, he dominated Prost from start to finish, while in 1992, he pulled off a masterclass in defensive driving, holding off a much faster Nigel Mansell in the final laps—a showcase of perfect racecraft on a track where overtaking is nearly impossible.
In 1998, McLaren returned to victory with Mika Häkkinen, who won convincingly in a season he would later dominate.
The 2000s: between glory and setbacks
The 2000s started well for McLaren with David Coulthard’s victories in 2000 and 2002, capitalizing on Michael Schumacher’s mechanical issues in the latter race. In 2005, Kimi Räikkönen dominated the entire weekend, winning from pole position and confirming McLaren’s enduring competitiveness in Monaco.
In 2007, McLaren fielded a formidable lineup with Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. At Monaco, they locked out the front row and controlled the race, with Alonso winning ahead of Hamilton, in a race that fueled their growing rivalry.
The 2010s: Hamilton’s era and new challenges
In the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton triumphed in rainy conditions, securing a strategic victory after an early-race incident. This win proved crucial in his first championship-winning season with McLaren.
However, the team’s dominance at Monaco waned in the following years, particularly during its troubled partnership with Honda (2015-2017). McLaren struggled to match the rising forces of Red Bull and Mercedes on the challenging Monte Carlo streets.
McLaren and Monaco: an inseparable history
With 15 victories, McLaren holds the record for the most wins at the Monaco Grand Prix. This dominance was built on the brilliance of legendary drivers and cars perfectly suited to the unique demands of this street circuit.
Although recent years have been more challenging, McLaren remains an iconic force at Monaco, and each edition offers a new opportunity to add another chapter to its long-standing love affair with the Principality.