Mercedes at the Monaco Grand Prix

Mercedes and Monaco: a contrasting journey

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious races in Formula 1, a true jewel of the calendar where raw performance alone is not enough. Here, precision, strategy, and driving mastery make all the difference. While Mercedes is now synonymous with dominance in F1, its history in Monaco has been marked by both highs and lows. From its historic beginnings to its supremacy in the hybrid era, the Silver Arrows have cemented their place as a key player in the Principality.

Mercedes’ historic beginnings in Monaco

Before becoming a dominant force in modern Formula 1, Mercedes had already left its mark on the sport in the 1930s. In 1936, the German brand fielded its Silver Arrows on the Monaco circuit, but World War II put an abrupt end to this first era. It wasn’t until 1955 that Mercedes returned to F1 with Juan Manuel Fangio, who won the Monaco Grand Prix that year in the legendary W196. This victory would remain the team’s last in Monaco for decades, as Mercedes withdrew from Formula 1 at the end of the season.

The return to F1 and transitional years

Mercedes made its official return to Formula 1 in 2010, after acquiring Brawn GP, the reigning world champion team. With high-profile drivers like Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, the team had great ambitions. However, the early years were marked by inconsistent performances in Monaco.

During the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix, Mercedes had a moment of brilliance when Michael Schumacher secured pole position at the age of 43—an incredible achievement. Unfortunately, a penalty for an incident in the previous race dropped him to sixth on the grid, and he was unable to convert his pole into a victory.

The hybrid era and Mercedes’ dominance

With the introduction of hybrid power units in 2014, Mercedes entered a new era, crushing the competition with its dominant pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

Rosberg’s Monaco hat-trick

Monaco quickly became Nico Rosberg’s favorite hunting ground. He won three consecutive Monaco Grands Prix in 2013, 2014, and 2015, matching the record of his father, Keke Rosberg, a former Monaco winner.

• 2013: Niko Rosberg controlled the race from start to finish after securing a crucial pole position, holding off multiple safety car interruptions to take victory.
• 2014: A controversial qualifying session saw Rosberg lock up at Mirabeau, preventing Hamilton from improving his lap time. Despite the tensions between teammates, Rosberg won again.
• 2015: Rosberg benefited from a strategic blunder by Mercedes, which called Hamilton into the pits under a safety car, costing him the win. This decision remains one of the most controversial moments in recent F1 history.

Lewis Hamilton’s revenge

After several frustrating attempts, Lewis Hamilton finally conquered Monaco during the hybrid era.

• 2016: In wet conditions, Hamilton executed a bold strategy, staying on intermediate tires longer than expected. His gamble paid off, allowing him to secure his second Monaco victory.
• 2019: Hamilton delivered one of the most emotionally charged performances of his career. Under relentless pressure from Max Verstappen for over 60 laps, he managed to hold onto the lead despite heavily worn tires. This victory was dedicated to Niki Lauda, who had recently passed away, making it one of Hamilton’s most memorable triumphs.

Recent struggles despite overall dominance

Despite Mercedes’ era of dominance, Monaco has proven to be a challenging circuit for the team in recent years. The tight, twisty nature of the track does not favor the sheer power of the Mercedes engine but instead rewards agility and tire management.

• 2021: A disastrous weekend for Mercedes:
  • Lewis Hamilton struggled and finished only seventh.
  • Valtteri Bottas, in contention for a podium, was forced to retire due to a bizarre issue—a stuck wheel nut made a tire change impossible.
• 2022: Mercedes, adapting to the new ground-effect regulations, continued to struggle at Monaco. Hamilton and George Russell faced challenges with car balance and tire wear, allowing Red Bull to claim victory.

Mercedes and Monaco: a complex relationship

With eight Monaco Grand Prix victories, Mercedes has a strong record, particularly thanks to its hybrid-era dominance. However, the race remains a unique challenge for the German team. The track’s demands—mechanical grip, agility, and strategy—do not always align with Mercedes’ strengths.

A new chapter ahead?

As Formula 1 transitions into a new era with ground-effect cars, Mercedes is aiming to regain its competitive edge in Monaco. With Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile departure to Ferrari, the team now places its hopes on George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will look to shine once again in the Principality.

The Monaco Grand Prix remains an essential challenge for Mercedes, not just for its prestige but also as a technical puzzle to solve year after year.