FORMULA 1
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
At the time of his retirement from the sport in 2012 , Michael Schumacher held the record for the most wins ( 91 ). Schumacher has won the Monaco Grand Prix a whopping five times . He raced in Monaco 18 times and almost clenched many more wins , but the Principality ’ s tricky circuit took several wins away from him . In 2004 , Schumacher won a record 12 of the first 13 races of the season , only failing to finish in Monaco after an accident with Juan Pablo Montoya .
LEWIS HAMILTON AND CHARLES LECLERC
No F1 racing list would be complete without Sir Lewis Hamilton , a resident of Monaco who holds the current record for most wins ( 95 ). He has won three Monaco Grand Prix and may continue to win more . shutterstock . com
Over the years , Monaco has become a home for many champion Grand Prix drivers including Gilles Villeneuve , Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton . Drivers whose races in Monaco end early can usually get back to their apartments in minutes . ( Ayrton Senna famously retired to his apartment after crashing out of the lead of the 1988 race .) In 2010 , Hamilton , like many other Formula One drivers , moved to Monaco , purchasing a home worth a reported 11 million euros .
Michael Schumacher and Jean Todt , Chief Executive Officer of Ferrari team , in 2006
Alain Prost in 2005
THE PROFESSOR : ALAIN PROST shutterstock . com
Alain Prost held the record for most Grand Prix victories for almost fifteen years , until Michael Schumacher surpassed Prost ’ s 51 victories in 2001 . Prost was born near the town of Saint- Chamond , near Lyon . He won the Monaco Grand Prix four times , more than any other French driver .
Prost ’ s intellectual , calculated and relaxed style behind the wheel helped him pick up ‘ The Professor ’ as a nickname . Skilled at setting up his car for race conditions , Prost would often conserve his brakes and tires early in a race , leaving them in good shape for any challenges towards the end .
Before Senna ’ s tragic end , the celebrity rivalry came to a beautiful conclusion when Senna and Prost reconciled their relationship . During a race , Senna , was quoted as saying , ‘ A special hello to our dear friend Alain . We all miss you , Alain .’ Prost was touched by Senna ’ s words and the pair agreed to meet before Monaco ’ s Grand Prix to discuss safety and regulation changes in the sport . Even today , both drivers are considered some of the best to ever compete in the F1 .
54 / Hello Monaco Spring 2021 www . hellomonaco . com