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Monaco Track Guide

Wednesday 23 May 2012 14:18, UK

  1. Image: Is there a more picturesque venue than Monte Carlo?
  2. Image: The world's rich and famous dock in the harbour for the week
  3. Image: As the cars race through the principality on public roads..
  4. Image: ...which remain open even as the teams set their cars next to what will become the start-finish straight
  5. Image: From the start the cars head down to Ste Devote
  6. Image: The tight right-hander has seen many incidents over the years
  7. Image: The cars then climb up the hill....
  8. Image: ...through Beau Rivage and towards Massenet
  9. Image: The quick left-hander at Massenet leads into Casino square
  10. Image: Before exiting via Casino corner
  11. Image: A short blast on the power is followed by Mirabeau and one of the favourite overtaking spots on the track
  12. Image: The cars then dart downhill to the slowest corner in Formula One...
  13. Image: ... the Loews Hairpin
  14. Image: Another brief blast of the throttle leads to the entry of Portier
  15. Image: Which is a double apex right-hander
  16. Image: And exits onto the fastest part of the track.
  17. Image: The tunnel is a unique feature at Monaco
  18. Image: As the cars blast flat out under the hotel
  19. Image: The sight of a car in the tunnel at Monaco is instantly recognisable
  20. Image: Before they remerge into the Mediterranean sun
  21. Image: And down to the Nouvelle Chicane
  22. Image: The swimming pool section of the circuit features chicanes and was redesigned in 2003.
  23. Image: Following that the cars head down to Rascasse
  24. Image: Which is a tight right hand hairpin
  25. Image: The best way to enjoy the weekend is from a yacht in the harbour whether you're fans...
  26. Image: ...a driver...
  27. Image: ... or part of a driver's family.
  28. Image: The fans do still get close to the action...
  29. Image: ...even if not quite as close as some got to Jody Scheckter after he won the race in 1976
  30. Image: As the roads open at various stages, fans can take a bus tour around the circuit.
  31. Image: But public roads can create problems. In 2011, a truck fire at Ste Devote...
  32. Image: ...led to late-night track repairs
  33. Image: Each year the drivers take part in a charity football match during the race week
  34. Image: Monaco looks beautiful and peaceful by day...
  35. Image: ...but by night the parties spill out onto the circuit, like here at Rascasse
  36. Image: Late-night boat parties are a norm
  37. Image: As celebrities like Paris Hilton...
  38. Image: ..Jason Statham...
  39. Image: ..Princess Beatrice...
  40. Image: ...and former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell make an appearance
  41. Image: And if it all gets too much you can sunbath as the cars roar past