The history hidden in the corners of Monaco

It is difficult to overstate how much history is packed into the 18 corners of Monaco. The circuit is more than just tarmac; it is a tapestry of local lore, from the religious devotion at Sainte Devote—dedicated to a fourth-century martyr—to the humble tobacco shop that gave the notoriously difficult Tabac corner its name. You have legendary landmarks like the Casino de Monte Carlo watching over the drivers, and section names like the Swimming Pool that reveal just how much the layout has evolved to accommodate the Principality.

Some of these corners carry the weight of intense sporting drama. We have seen Ayrton Senna lose a 55s lead in the Portier section, and controversial tactical maneuvers from Nico Rosberg at Mirabeau Superior and Michael Schumacher at La Rascasse. It is quite something to think that as these machines tear through the tunnel or navigate the Nouvelle Chicane, they are threading their way through a history that includes the early vision of Antony Noghès, the very man who founded this grand prix back in 1929.