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Michael Doyle

Everything you need to know ahead of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix

One of Formula 1's most famous events is on this weekend.  (Reuters: Eric Gaillard)

The crown jewel of the Formula 1 calendar is almost here, with the famed Monaco Grand Prix beginning on Sunday. 

This race is one of the sport's most-popular events and sees the drivers battle around the streets of Monte Carlo.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen heads into the race leading the drivers' championship by six points over Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo heads into round seven sitting 12th in the drivers' standings after one top-10 finish in 2022.

Here is everything you need to know about the Monaco Grand Prix.

How is Monaco different to other races?

The Monaco Grand Prix is the shortest race on the F1 calendar, in terms of distance travelled. 

Over 78 laps, the cars travel a distance of 260km, which is roughly 40km shorter than other races.

Monaco is a street track but differs from other circuits on the calendar that use public roads. 

The track is exceptionally narrow, making overtaking very difficult. 

With F1 cars being 2-metres wide, there is a great deal of emphasis on qualifying.

Lewis Hamilton driving through the narrow circuit in 2021. (Reuters: Eric Gaillard)

In the 2003 and 2010 editions of the race, there was not a single overtake that happened on the track. 

All overtakes were either done through pit stops or because of retirements. 

Former world champion Nelson Piquet described driving around Monaco as "like riding a bicycle around your living room".

Realistically, there are two overtaking spots over the 3.3km lap.

Turn one at the end of the only DRS section on the track provides the possibility for an overtake.

But the DRS section is not very long, which makes it incredibly hard for the trailing car to pass. 

A driver's best chance to pass will be at the chicane of turns 10 and 11, at the end of the fast, sweeping section halfway through the lap.

The Circuit de Monaco is short and narrow. (Formula 1)

Who is leading the drivers' championship?

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen heads into the Monaco Grand Prix with a six-point lead over Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc was felled by engine failure while leading the Spanish Grand Prix last time out, surrendering the championship lead to Verstappen. 

After round three in Melbourne, Leclerc was 46 points ahead of Verstappen.

But the Red Bull driver has secured three-consecutive victories, while the Ferrari man has only managed one podium finish since then. 

What happened in last year's race?

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was the fastest qualifier last year but never made it to the starting grid. (Reuters: Eric Gaillard)

Leclerc, a Monaco native, put his Ferrari on pole for the race. 

However, hopes of a famous victory by a born-and-bred Monegasque were dashed when Leclerc withdrew from the race before the start. 

A crash at the end of qualifying damaged the drive shaft, which could not be fixed before the race. 

Verstappen, who was now effectively starting on pole, went on to win his first race in Monaco.  

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz finished second while McLaren's Lando Norris was third, after he lapped teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who finished a lowly 12th. 

How has Daniel Ricciardo done previously at Monaco?

Australia's Daniel Ricciardo is a past winner of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Driving for Red Bull, the man known as the Honey Badger won the race in 2018.

He had a power issue early in the race, which kept him from reaching his maximum speed.

Despite the adversity, Ricciardo showed his class to hold on for the victory.

Ricciardo was a run-away leader in 2016 but a horrific pit stop cost him the race. 

The Australian pulled into the pits only for his Red Bull team not to have his tyres ready for him. 

That long stop allowed Lewis Hamilton to overtake him and win the race, while Ricciardo finished second. 

The Australian has also finished third in 2014 and 2017, again with Red Bull. 

In his two races around Monaco since leaving Red Bull he has finished ninth in 2019 and 12th last year. 

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