Formula One returns to one of its crown jewels for the first time since 2019 this weekend as teams gear up for the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton enters this round with a 14 point lead over Max Verstappen in the title race, as the Brit looks to chase a fourth win around the streets of Monaco on a track where Verstappen is yet to finish on the podium.
McLaren meanwhile celebrates their partnership with Gulf Oil International with a special retro livery this weekend, as they look to continue their push to retain their position as the third best team.
Now here is a full guide to everything that you need to know ahead of the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix.
Track Guide
Circuit: Circuit de Monaco
Laps: 78
Race Distance: 260.286km
Tyre Selection: C3, C4, C5
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (BST) |
| Thursday 20 May | FP1 | 10:30am |
| Thursday 20 May | FP2 | 2:00pm |
| Saturday 22 May | FP3 | 11:00am |
| Saturday 22 May | Qualifying | 2:00pm |
| Sunday 23 May | Race | 2:00pm |
Five Key Pointers
- Qualifying is going to be key to how the race unfolds given the limited overtaking opportunities around this circuit.
- Monaco requires maximum downforce which should give create a cracking fight for pole between Mercedes and Red Bull given their contrasting rake positions.
- One stop pit strategies are common around here but nailing the timing will be crucial given the potential for safety cars at any moment.
- This will be McLaren’s first proper test of their car performance in slow speed corners, due to most tracks so far containing large number of medium and high speed corners.
- Haas look set for a tough weekend but Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin could well play a key role in deciding the outcome of this race, depending on where race leaders catch and lap them.
Last Time Out
2020 saw the Monaco GP fail to take place for the first time since 1954, due to a worldwide lockdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic meaning that Lewis Hamilton was the last race winner in 2019.
Race Recaps
If missed any of the four previous rounds of the 2021 season, please click on the links below to catch up on the missed action.