After every Grand Prix, we present the RaceReport, offering you an exclusive and playful digital recap of the race weekend. Reporters Bas Holtkamp and Matthijs Nijhuis bring you the latest from Monaco!
Super yachts, expensive cars, thousands of wealthy spectators, and one of the world’s most famous Grand Prix – all within barely two square kilometers. If you’re watching the Monaco GP from your couch at home, you know that the narrow street circuit rarely delivers spectacular races. However, anyone who gets the chance to take a behind-the-scenes look quickly realizes that this eighth round of the Formula 1 season is indeed sensational.
From an organizational perspective, it’s a marvel that this small city-state manages to host a Grand Prix every year. During a walk along the circuit, it’s hard to imagine what the streets look like on an average weekend. Due to the limited space, the jet set, the drivers, the reporters, and a legion of ecstatic fans all intermingle. Not to mention the fact that the entire circuit is transformed into a nightclub every night. The partying contrasts sharply with the refined and chic status of the principality, but the average visitor expects nothing less than an extravagant party weekend.
Monaco deserves a permanent spot on the calendar for the efforts made every year to realize a Grand Prix – and the accompanying parties. The crown jewel remains unique. Admittedly, the races are not what they used to be, but know that modern Formula 1 still operates on the edge during qualifying here. Showing courage and pushing the limits of this narrow street circuit. After nearly a hundred years, it remains extraordinary.
HIGHLIGHTS IN MONACO
Max’s Quote
“Compared to last year, the car has improved somewhat, but our weakness still lies in low speeds and the kerbstones. Our car still doesn’t like driving over bumps. And if your car doesn’t perform well at low speeds, you can’t just suddenly fix that. But this is a problem we already had in 2022 and we still have it now. This track just isn’t for us.”
TOP & FLOP: A Tale of Two French Drivers
Rookie Isack Hadjar shines in the streets of Monte-Carlo, while his compatriot and veteran Pierre Gasly makes a beginner’s mistake. Two Frenchmen take center stage in Monaco.
TOP: Isack Hadjar
It seemed like a desperate move, perhaps the latest from Red Bull’s talent program. The name Isack Hadjar as the successor of Liam Lawson (who was sent back to the training team by Red Bull after just two GPs) raised eyebrows among experts at the end of 2025. But so far, the Frenchman has been the surprise of the year and the point machine for the Racing Bulls, as demonstrated at Formula 1’s crown jewel annual procession. After a crash in free practice, which he himself called ‘an incredible blunder’, Hadjar impressively recovered in the crucial Saturday qualifying. He placed his VCARB02 in the sixth starting position, but moved up a spot due to a grid penalty for Lewis Hamilton. Although he couldn’t keep the Brit behind him in the race, thanks to a well-thought-out strategy involving two early (mandatory) pit stops, the newcomer finished sixth. This earned him eight points and the tenth spot in the World Championship standings. Hats off!
FLOP: Pierre Gasly
Earlier this year, Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda, close friends, had a rough encounter during the opening round of the Saudi Arabian GP. The result: two sour faces, although they didn’t blame each other after the event in Jeddah. A month later, the two collide again. This time, the incident occurs as they exit the tunnel into the braking zone for the chicane. Gasly crashes at full speed into the back of Tsunoda’s Red Bull, who wonders aloud over the radio what his friend is doing. According to the Frenchman, ‘he has no brakes’, and afterwards, he claims that the Japanese driver ‘moved’ while braking for the chicane. However, it seems more like a rookie mistake, one you wouldn’t expect from Gasly. But it’s symptomatic of his disastrous weekend, along with that of Alpine and Franco Colapinto. Time to pack up and leave.
BEHIND THE SCENES
A look behind the scenes at the Monaco Grand Prix!
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Other Noteworthy Observations from Monaco
WIN: ONE OF THESE TWO POSTERS!
In collaboration with Automobilist.com, an official partner of Formula 1, FORMULA 1 Magazine is giving away luxury posters several times this season – true works of art! This time, it’s a special poster of the AMR25 from Aston Martin and the SF25 from Ferrari of this season! (both 50×70 centimeters, valued at 99 euros)
Three Questions with… Jacques Villeneuve
The Monaco Grand Prix is, of course, the ‘crown jewel’ of the Formula 1 calendar, but that doesn’t change the fact that the race often turns into a somewhat dull procession. This year, the FIA attempted to boost the entertainment value by requiring all drivers to make two pit stops for new tires. Unnecessary, says former world champion Jacques Villeneuve.
What do you think of the new rules in Monaco?
“It’s a gimmick. You shouldn’t want to apply artificial rules in Monaco. Leave that for Formula E or something similar. Call me old-fashioned, but on this circuit, it’s simply not necessary.”
Is the circuit still suitable for Formula 1 then?
“It has never been suitable for Formula 1, not even in the 1950s. That’s what makes it so beautiful. You wouldn’t want to change anything about it.”
Do you miss driving here?
“I miss it every day. Every time I wake up here, I want to race. I would much rather do that than wander around the paddock.”
Formule 1 Podcast
Quick Questions
Formule1.nl reporter Bas Holtkamp responds to three provocative statements from the paddock in Monaco:
✖ Current Formula 1 has no place in Monaco
😴 Despite the mandatory extra pit stop, the Monaco GP will be a procession
🎖 The new F1 movie is not for the seasoned fan
Next Grand Prix: Spain
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
“The Formula 1 will be held from May 30 to June 1 in Montmeló for the Spanish Grand Prix, one of the oldest and most traditional races on the calendar. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, just outside Barcelona, has been the setting for this race since 1991 and is known as a technically challenging circuit. Below is the full schedule for the 2025 Spanish GP.
2025 Spanish GP Schedule
Friday, May 30
- First free practice: 11:30 – 12:30 UTC
- Second free practice: 15:00 – 16:00 UTC
Saturday, May 31
- Third free practice: 10:30 – 11:30 UTC
- Qualification: 14:00 – 15:00 UTC
Sunday, June 1
- Race: 13:00 UTC
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