One of the most prestigious and challenging motor-racing events in the world, the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix is held every year in the last weekend of May in the Principality of Monaco.

It is one of the last “street courses” remaining on the Formula 1 calendar, the twisting 77-lap circuit runs through the narrow streets of Monaco, offering incalculable opportunities for spectators to witness screaming engines, smoking tires and the genius of the drivers over the race that allows no margin for error. The tunnel in particular presents a unique challenge as the sudden contrast between daylight and gloom forces drivers to adjust their vision, as they emerge from the dark at the fastest point of the track and brake for the chicane in the daylight.

With the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it makes up the famous informally-known Triple Crown of Motorsport – a feat that only one driver, Graham Hill, has completed so far.

Held in 1929 at the initiative of Anthony Noghès and under the auspices of the Automobile Club de Monaco, the first Monaco Grand Prix was won by William Grover-Williams in a Bugatti 35B recording an average speed of 50 mph. Since then, the fastest average speed has risen to up to 88 mph.

The event has been included in the first F1 World Championship in 1950, designated two times European Grand Prix, in 1955 and 1963, as an honorary title given to one grand prix race in Europe.

The ultimate test in driving skills, the world’s most iconic drivers have coveted a win at the legendary F1 race giving way to a succession of incredible performances.

Juan Manuel Fangio won his first Grand Prix there in May 1950; Triple World Champion Nelson Piquet was fond of saying that racing at Monaco was "like trying to cycle round your living room", but added that "a win here was worth two anywhere else;” Graham Hill’s five wins in the 1960s earned him the nickname "Mr. Monaco”; Brazilian Ayrton Senna won six times - more than any other driver, including five consecutive wins between 1989 and 1993.

In awarding its first Gold medal for motor sport to Prince Rainier III, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) characterized the Monaco Grand Prix as contributing "an exceptional location of glamour and prestige" to motor sport. The race has been held under the patronage of the Princely Royal Family since its start under the reign of Prince Louis II.

In 2011, the 69th Monaco Formula One Grand Prix will be held from May 26 to 29.