



15th GRAND PRIX DE MONACO HISTORIQUE (April 24-26, 2026)
WHEN ATMOS RHYMES WITH TURBOS!
Formula 1 Grand Prix cars with turbo engines will be able to take part in the 15th Grand Prix de
Monaco Historique in April 2026. Changes to FIA regulations will enable the Organizing and
Selection Committee at Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) to reserve a specific class for them,
as originally planned for 2022, when the Race G was introduced, for F1 single-seaters that raced
at Monaco Grand Prix from 1981 to 1985.
The stars, however, and to the delight of those nostalgic for F1's golden age, are likely to remain the
3-liter-engined single-seaters. Generally equipped with Ford Cosworth DFV V8s, their advent in 1966
fundamentally changed the image and reputation of F1. An expected field of 80 to 100 cars in Race D
to G, all generally in a state of perfect preservation, capable of racing faster than fifty years ago on the
streets of Monaco, in much better grip conditions and in complete safety.
Keen to preserve the identity of the Grand Prix, the organizers decided to keep the Race A1, reserved
exclusively for pre-war cars, considering that the Bugatti cars (35, 37 and 51) and the Maserati are the
DNA of the Monaco Grand Prix.
For the rest, the Race A2 (post-war, front-engines) and the Race C (sportscars) will continue
unchanged, as will the five other F1 grids, which will present the evolution of Grand Prix racing over
almost 40 years (from 1946 to 1985). Several tributes and anniversaries are already planned, in the
authentic and majestic setting of the Principality's circuit, and several fine pages of motor racing history
will be turned, with sound, vibrations and smells included, during this 15th edition of Grand Prix
Historique de Monaco:
- 100 years ago (1926), Maserati made its racing debut. In addition to their potential presence in the
Race A1 (eligible models range type 26, 26B, 26C, 26M till 4CL passing through 8C, 4CM, V8RI, 8CM,
6C-34, 6CM and 8CTF), the beautiful and rebellious Italians involved in the Race A2 are, in addition to
the 250F (Winners with Stirling Moss 70 years ago (1956) and with Juan-Manuel Fangio in 1957), the
4CL, 4CLT/48, A6GCM and A6GCM. In Race C, the ACM still hopes to count on the participation of
150S, 250S, and 300S.
- 80 years ago (1946), the first Gordini imagined by Amédée, the great French wizard of Italian descent,
came out, and 70 years ago (1956), it was the last appearance, at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, of
a Gordini in the championship. It wasn't until Matra, in 1967 at Monaco, that a blue car appeared again
in F1.-
60 years ago (1966), new F1 engine regulations (3-liter, no turbo) came into force, allowing McLaren - 60 years ago (1966), new F1 engine regulations (3-liter, no turbo) came into force, allowing McLaren
to make its Grand Prix debut. At the wheel was the brand's founder, Bruce McLaren, winner of Monaco
Grand Prix in 1962 in a Cooper-Climax that is now often entered in the historic version. Six decades
later, the English team, now managed by Zak Brown, is at the forefront of modern F1 (Winner of the
Constructors' World Championship in 2024 for the first time since the late 90s). McLaren's record in
Monaco speaks for itself: 58 participations, with 15 wins, 11 pole positions and 28 podium finishes!
However, the English brand's last win in the Principality already dates back to 2008, thanks to a certain
Lewis Hamilton.
- It was also 60 years ago (1966), Guy Ligier made his debut in Formula One with a Cooper... powered
by a Maserati V12 engine! 10 years later, 50 years ago (1976), Ligier made its F1 debut as
Manufacturer at the Brazilian GP, with a Matra-powered JS5 driven by Jacques Laffite, which later
became a JS7 in 1977. The car's first claim to fame was a pole position in Italy, on the fast Monza
track, thanks to the monstrous power of its French V12 engine. That same year, the young Alain Prost,
future four-time F1 world champion, made his single-seater debut (and won the French Formula
Renault Championship), following his victory in Volant Elf at Circuit Paul Ricard.
- 30 years ago (1996), Thanks to Olivier Panis, Ligier won its only Monaco Grand Prix, the only post-
war victory for a French car. Above all, it was Ligier's last F1 success (9 in all) before the French team
was sold to Flavio Briatore, who then passed it on to Alain Prost.
Provisional programme
Friday, April 24, 2026 FREE PRACTICE SESSIONS (30 minutes)
09.30 am 11.00 - 11.30 am 11.50 - 12.20 am 12.40 - 13.10 pm 02.30 - 3.00 pm 03.20 - 3.50 pm 04.10 - 4.40 pm 05.00 - 5.30 pm 05.50 - 6.20 pm 08.00 pm Track closes to the public
Race A2 - Front-engine Grand Prix cars built before 1961
Race A1 - Prewar Grand Prix Cars and Voiturettes
Race B - Rear-engine, 1500, F1 Grand Prix Cars (1961 - 1965) and F2 (1956 - 1960)
Race D - F1 Grand Prix cars 3L (1966 - 1972)
Race E - F1 Grand Prix cars 3L (1973 - 1976)
Race C - Sports Racing cars - front engine (1952 - 1957)
Race F - F1 Grand Prix cars 3L (1977 - 1980)
Race G - F1 Grand Prix cars 3L (1981 - 1985)
Track opens to the public