Monaco is well known by different sports events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Rally of Monte Carlo, tennis and soccer.

Every year in May there is the Formula 1 Grand Prix. In 1999 there will be Grand Prix races on 16th of May in the principality of Monaco. The favourite this year is Mika Hakkinen, who also won last year's famous Grand Prix on the narrow 3,367 km street-circuit. You can see here a map of the circuit of Monaco, which contains the speeds that, the Formula 1 cars do on specific areas.

A lap of Monaco

When we pass the start/finish, we approach the first corner of Saint Dévote at a speed of 270 km/h (170 mph). After the cars have started there are very many collisions at that corner. You take that corner at ca 90 km/h (55 mph). Then there follows a sort of straight with four little turns in it, which is called Beau Rivage. The Beau Rivage is a very steep straight that leads to the turns Massanet and Casino, which are taken at 130 km/h (80 mph) and 115 km/h (70 mph). The famous Casino of Monaco is also situated there. That's why this turn bears this name. After these turns is there a little straight which leads you to Mirabeau (65 km/h) and the slowest hairpin of the circuit, which is called Loews. The turn is located near the Loews hotel. You take this turn at only 40 km/h (25 mph). Then there are two tight right-handers. These turns lead you to one of the famous parts of circuit of Monaco, the Tunnel. It's also the fastest part of the circuit and your top speed is ca 285 km/h (175 mph). Then you have to brake for the chicane. In this area there was an accident in 1967, in which Lorenzo Bandini was killed. In 1994 there was also a serious accident, in which the Austrian driver Karl Wendlinger was very badly hurt. He was in a coma for a long time. He never drove Formula 1 after that accident. He now drives in touring cars. After the chicane we drive to the Tabac corner and the swimming pool area. The first chicane near the swimming pool can be taken at 180 km/h (110 mph), the second at 110 km/h (70 mph). Finally we drive to the latst few corners La Rascasse and Anthony Noghès and we are back at start/finish. The qualified track record is 1:18,216. The average speed is 154,971 km/h.

After the start takes M. Schumacher the first position, Hakkinen is second and Irvine is third. Irvine takes Hakkinen over during the pitstops. And these three drivers are on the same positions at the end of the race.

When you click on the image below, you'll hear sounds of a Formula 1 cars.

Monday, 18 January 1999

Tuesday, 19 January 1999

Wednesday, 20 January 1999