Walking through the streets of Monte Carlo inevitably evokes memories of Monaco’s King, Ayrton Senna, the driver with the most victories at Formula 1’s most traditional Grand Prix, triumphing in 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993.

For visitors exploring the iconic street circuit, whether during the Monaco GP weekend or another time, Ayrton Senna’s official website provides a quick guide highlighting essential locations connected to the Brazilian’s legendary history in the Principality.

Start and Finish line

Two fundamental points in Monaco where Senna excelled are the start and finish lines. At Monaco, securing pole position is vital given the difficulty of overtaking. Yet, the finish line also represents a crucial endurance challenge for teams and drivers who face numerous pitfalls across 78 laps. In 1993, for instance, favorites Williams and Benetton faltered, enabling Senna to claim his record-breaking sixth victory at Monaco, including five consecutive wins.

This spot also provides a view of the famed Monaco podium, where Senna stood for the first time during his F1 debut in 1984 (his first-ever podium) and famously broke protocol in 1987 by celebrating his victory with champagne showers, surprising even the royal family.

Saint Devote

The first corner at Monaco, named after the nearby church, witnessed one of Senna’s most remarkable moves when he overtook Niki Lauda on the outside to secure second place during the 1984 Monaco GP.

Driving for the modest Toleman team, Senna not only surpassed an F1 legend and future champion but also secured Toleman’s highest-ever result. Senna might have won had race control not prematurely stopped the race, benefiting Alain Prost, who ironically lost the championship to Lauda by just half a point.

Casino

The famous Casino Corner is among the circuit’s most challenging and technical sections, where Senna’s precision consistently gave him an edge. His onboard footage through this section — with its rapid directional changes — is still admired today by drivers such as Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Isack Hadjar, and Gabriel Bortoleto, who highlighted its significance during this week’s media day.

Another intriguing story, shared by journalist Reginaldo Leme to Senna TV, recalls Senna’s first visit to Monaco’s Casino in 1984, where he bet and won on number 19 at roulette — a sign of his memorable debut weekend. This moment inspired a pivotal scene in the Netflix series “Senna.”

Fairmont Hotel Hairpin

The slowest corner of the circuit, known as the Fairmont Hairpin (formerly Loews Hairpin during Senna’s era), is a favorite for fan photos. Senna was famously captured here riding a bicycle, an iconic behind-the-scenes image of Monaco.

This corner also features a statue honoring Senna’s record-breaking achievements, inaugurated in 2007 by Viviane Senna and Prince Albert II, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Senna’s first Monaco victory. In 2017, the hotel curated a special suite adorned with original Senna memorabilia, including helmets and trophies, famously visited by “Star Wars” director George Lucas, a noted admirer of the Brazilian driver.

Tunnel Entrance

Though remembered for Senna’s infamous crash in 1988, the Monaco tunnel entrance represented a turning point in his career. Following this moment, Senna embarked on an exceptional journey that culminated in his first world title, overcoming his experienced teammate Alain Prost.

Remarkably, after this incident, Senna never again lost in Monaco, securing five consecutive wins from 1989 to 1993. Notably, Senna lived just two blocks away from this location and famously walked home following the crash.

Tunnel

Monaco uniquely features an extended curved tunnel section, famous for a transcendent experience Senna described during qualifying in 1988. He felt a surreal integration with his car, as if driving within a tunnel the entire lap, achieving an astonishing pole position more than 1.4 seconds faster than Prost—a gap comparable today between first and twentieth on the grid.

This remarkable episode inspired a 2024 animated short film by Lightfarm:

La Rascasse

The final sector, from the tunnel exit to the La Rascasse corner, evokes the legendary 1992 battle between Senna and Nigel Mansell. Mansell, driving a vastly superior Williams, lost the lead after hitting a barrier and changing tires.

Despite Mansell’s faster car and fresher tires, Senna masterfully defended every centimeter of the narrow track to secure his fifth Monaco victory—a testament to his unparalleled skill and determination.

Watch an onboard video from Ayrton Senna’s car at the 1993 Monaco GP:

Article written by Rodrigo França, from Monte Carlo (Monaco).