Monaco Grand Prix: session times, weather forecast and support series info

Racing returns to the streets of Monaco in 2022 with full capacity crowds for the first time since 2019. And it might be the best chance yet for hometown hero Charles Leclerc to score his elusive first point in Monte Carlo.

In four seasons, Leclerc has never finished a race around the streets on which he grew up. But 2022 is a different beast, with Ferrari on top and Leclerc challenging for his first title in F1. He’ll have to keep his composure while pushing every inch of performance out of the Ferrari, as Max Verstappen is already breathing down his neck.

There is a major change to the format for 2022: Thursday is just for support series practice sessions. Fans will note the move means F1 now runs to the standard race format, rather than the traditional Monaco change.

Get up to speed with what you need to know about the Monaco Grand Prix with our Race Ready preview, including history, weather, session times and more.

Monaco Grand Prix race preview

The circuit

Circuit de Monaco

The Monaco Grand Prix circuit is one of the most iconic tracks in Formula 1. For almost a century, the world’s fastest cars have taken to the streets of Monte Carlo to do battle with each other. Its tight roads pass through some of the principality’s landmarks, including the grand Casino Square, the glamourous harbour, and infamous swimming pool plaza.

For the drivers, it’s a real test of precision. Some sections of the track are hardly wide enough for one car, let alone two, meaning overtaking takes supreme skill and bravery. There are two of the slowest, sharpest chicanes of the year at La Rascasse and the Fairmont Hairpin, plus tricky chicanes that see the cars brush right up to the barriers.

While track limits have been a major talking point throughout the 2021 season, it’s unlikely we’ll see much chatter this week. The circuit boundary is almost completely lined by Armco barriers, with the exception of the Nouvelle Chicane. So a trip away from the circuit is most likely to cost you a front wing rather than a lap deletion.

Last time out

Monaco Grand Prix 2021

Qualifying at Monaco is always absolutely crucial for the race on Sunday. The skinny, snaking streets of Monaco are a spectacle of racing, but overtaking is never simple. So where you start on the grid is all-important to setting up your race right.

So when Charles Leclerc set the pace in the first runs of Q3, the Monegasque driver looked good for pole. But a mere five minutes later, he was in the barriers. Pole was his, but the damage incurred from the impact meant he didn’t even take to the grid on Sunday.

Max Verstappen would effectively start from pole, and went on to a comfortable win. Valterri Bottas looked good for second, but a bizarre pitstop saw his Mercedes crew unable to remove a threaded tyre from his W12. This moved Sainz up to second, and Lando Norris’ McLaren – which carried a striking Gulf Oil livery – into third.

Monaco Grand Prix session times

A major change for the Monaco Grand Prix this year is the shift to the standard Friday – Sunday format. Traditionally, practice F1 sessions were run on a Thursday. To save time in the growing calendar, this has been changed to move Monaco inline with other Grands Prix from 2022. Support series will continue to practice on Thursday.

Monaco sits on Central European Summer Time, and as such is one hour ahead of British Summer Time. All sessions will start later than they did in 2021 with the exception of the Grand Prix.

Monaco Grand Prix weather report

There hasn’t been a wet weather Monaco Grand Prix since 2016, so we can expect dry conditions for the race in Monte Carlo in 2022. Check back closer to the race for live weather updates below.

Race support for the Monaco Grand Prix

Formula 2

There will be F2 sessions on Thursday in Monaco, with practice taking place before the F1 action kicks off. Because of the number of cars taking part in F2, qualifying has a special format at Monaco.

The grid will be split into two groups (last season, it was based on odd and even car numbers) for two sessions. Whoever sets the fastest time overall will start on pole, with that driver’s group occupying the odd-numbered grid slots (3rd, 5th, 7th etc). The fastest driver from the other group will start in 2nd, and that driver’s group will line up on the opposite side of the grid.

FIA Formula Regional by Alpine

Formerly known as FRECA and an amalgamation of Formula Renault and Formula Regional European Championship, the season continues at Monaco. The third round of the open-wheeler series boasts a competitive grid in 2022 including championship leader and Ferrari Academy driver Dino Beganovic. Like F2, qualifying will run in two groups.

Porsche Supercup

If overtaking was tricky in open-wheelers, don’t expect a huge amount from the Porsche Supercup. However, seeing these beasts take on the winding roads of Monte Carlo will be an absolute treat for any racing fan.

How to stay up to date at the Monaco Grand Prix

You can keep up-to-date with all the breaking news by following Motorsport.com and Autosport throughout the race weekend.

Covid entry requirements

Organisers have confirmed that vaccination passes are not required to access grandstands. Masks are not mandatory around the circuit, but are recommended.