The iconic streets of Monte Carlo roared back to life from May 13 to 15 for the 13th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. This prestigious event brought all the style and excitement of classic motorsport back to the Côte d’Azur. After a smaller event the previous year due to global health issues, the 2022 edition saw a massive return to form.
More than 200 historic cars filled the grids, a huge jump from just 80 cars in 2021. The weekend followed a traditional schedule with practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and eight thrilling races on Sunday. It was a perfect setting for race fans to enjoy the sights and sounds of Formula One history.
A Celebration of Racing Legends and Eras
The event was split into different groups based on the age of the cars. Each group honored a famous driver from that specific time period. The categories ranged from the pre-war era, celebrating Louis Chiron, all the way to the 1980s. The newest addition for 2022 was a tribute to Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna. Senna is famous for his incredible debut at Monaco in 1984. During that wet race, he drove a Toleman TG184 and nearly beat Alain Prost before the race was stopped.
The paddock next to the harbor was a dream come true for any motorsport lover. Fans could walk through simple tented garages to see the machines up close. The collection included an impressive list of champions and teams.
- There were 14 World Championship winning cars on display.
- Over 37 different teams were represented in the paddock.
- A special sports car race marked the 70th anniversary of the 1952 regulation changes.
“A walk through the harbourside Monaco paddock was a race fan’s dream, featuring an amazing 14 World Championship-winning machines.”
New regulations were a big theme for the weekend. The event highlighted the era of the Ford DFV engine which started in 1967. The new race class for 1981 to 1985 cars showcased the end of this powerful engine’s dominance. Ten different constructors joined this grid. The lineup included 30 cars from teams like Williams, Tyrrell, McLaren, Arrows, Alfa Romeo, and Lotus. Lotus was the most popular brand in this group with six cars on the track.
Early Classics and Pre-War Battles
The racing action on Sunday started with Formula One cars from 1961 to 1965. Joe Colasacco started in first place driving a Ferrari 1512. This car was once driven by John Surtees. Colasacco was very fast in qualifying and sat more than a second ahead of Mark Shaw in a Lotus 21. When the race started, the Ferrari had trouble getting traction. Its tires spun on the line, which allowed Shaw to pull up next to him. However, Colasacco held his nerve and took the lead going up the hill towards Beau Rivage.
The battle for the lead was tight. Shaw tried to pass at the famous Fairmont Hotel Hairpin, but Colasacco defended his spot well. Later in the race, the top three cars were driving nose-to-tail. Shaw finally managed to pass Colasacco on lap eight. But the lead did not last long. On the very next lap, Shaw drifted too wide while defending his position. His Lotus hit the wall at Sainte Dévote, ending his race. Colasacco went on to win, with Chris Drake finishing second.
The pre-war race was another highlight. This group featured Grand Prix cars and “voiturettes” (small cars). Mark Gillies took pole position in an ERA R3A. He got the top spot after Nick Topliss had to pit during qualifying. In the race, Topliss made a brilliant start and passed Gillies immediately. The two drivers pulled away from the rest of the field. Behind them, a fierce fight for third place took place between Patrick Blakeney-Edwards and Anthony Sinopoli. In the end, Gillies took the victory after Topliss suffered a flat tire.
The Golden Age of 3-Litre F1 Cars
The middle of the day featured powerful 3-liter Formula One cars. Race four was a tribute to Jackie Stewart’s career, featuring cars from 1966 to 1972. Stuart Hall started on pole in a McLaren M19A. Next to him was a beautiful V12 Matra MS120C driven by Jordan Gregor. Hall had a slow start, which let Gregor take the lead. However, Hall fought back quickly. He regained the lead at the Tabac corner and built a comfortable gap.
Esteban Gutiérrez drove hard in a 1970 BRM P153 to challenge for second place. Unfortunately, he had to stop due to a mechanical issue. This caused a yellow flag period where cars had to slow down. Once the race resumed, Hall sprinted away to take the win. Michael Lyons finished second in a Surtees TS9, just ahead of Gregor.
| Race Category | Winner | Car Model |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-War GP Cars | Mark Gillies | ERA R3A |
| Pre-1961 Front-Engine | Claudia Hürtgen | Ferrari Dino 246 |
| 1961-65 Rear-Engine | Joe Colasacco | Ferrari 1512 |
| 1966-72 3-Litre F1 | Stuart Hall | McLaren M19A |
| 1973-76 3-Litre F1 | Stuart Hall | McLaren M23 |
Race five celebrated the late Niki Lauda with cars from 1973 to 1976. Stuart Hall was again on pole position, this time in a Yardley McLaren M23. He made a fast start and kept his lead. Behind him, Marco Werner moved up to second place in a Lotus 76. Hall was lapping very quickly, setting times around 1 minute and 31 seconds. Further back, there was plenty of action with Shadows and Tyrrells fighting for position. Hall took another win, making it a double victory for him on the day.
A major talking point of the weekend involved current F1 star Charles Leclerc. He was invited to drive Niki Lauda’s historic Ferrari 312B for a demonstration run. While driving, he experienced a brake problem at the Rascasse corner. The car spun and the rear wing clipped the wall. This unfortunate crash brought the demonstration to an early end. You can read more about the incident in this report on Charles Leclerc’s historic crash.
Ground Effects and the Senna Tribute Finale
The afternoon races brought out the big grids and later model cars. The sports car race saw 31 cars line up for a rolling start. Fred Wakeman led the field in a Cooper-Jaguar T38. He was chased by two Maserati 300Ss. The race was exciting to watch, but passing was difficult on the tight street circuit. The top positions remained the same all the way to the finish line.
Race seven featured cars from the start of the “ground-effects” era (1977-1980). This technology used the shape of the car to suck it down to the track for more grip. Miles Griffiths qualified on pole in a bright yellow Fittipaldi F5A. However, bad luck struck before the race even began. He had a gearbox problem and could not take the start.
This left Michael Lyons with a clear path in his Hesketh 308E. He did not take any risks and pulled away from the pack immediately. He built a large lead over the Tyrrell of Michael Cantillon. There was some contact in the pack, including a clash between two Williams cars, but they kept going. Lyons took a deserving win after two second-place finishes earlier in the day.
The grand finale of the weekend was the Ayrton Senna tribute race for 1981-1985 cars. Lotus cars dominated the front of the grid. Marco Werner started on pole in a Lotus 87B. At the end of the first lap, three black-and-gold Lotus cars held the top three spots. It was a beautiful sight for fans of the historic brand. There were some incidents, including a clash at the chicane that forced a Lotus 91 to retire. But at the front, Marco Werner stayed in control. He took the final victory of the weekend, followed by Lyons and Nick Padmore. For full race results, you can check the official Automobile Club de Monaco page.
The 2022 Grand Prix de Monaco Historique was a fantastic reminder of why we love motorsport. From the roar of pre-war engines to the sleek lines of the 1980s ground-effect cars, the event had it all. It was a weekend filled with nostalgia, drama, and pure racing speed on the world’s most famous street circuit.
The history of Formula One is alive and well on the streets of Monte Carlo. If you loved seeing these classic machines back in action, make sure to share this story! Use hashtags like #MonacoHistoric #ClassicF1 #GrandPrixHistory and tell us in the comments which era of F1 cars is your favorite.
