Grand Prix de Monaco Historique: Vintage Car Racing Guide

About the Event

The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique is one of the most prestigious vintage motorsport events in the world. Inaugurated in 1997 by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM), the same organisation that runs the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the event brings historic racing cars back to the legendary Monaco street circuit.

Held every two years in even-numbered years, the Grand Prix Historique attracts rare and priceless racing machines, many worth millions of euros, driven at competitive speeds through the same narrow streets used for the modern Grand Prix.

Race Categories

Cars are divided into grids based on era, typically covering:

• Pre-war cars (pre-1952) — grand prix machines from the earliest era of Monaco racing
• 1950s Formula and sports cars
• 1960s Formula 1 cars — the era of legendary drivers and classic liveries
• 1970s Formula 1 cars — the golden age of motorsport design
• 1980s Formula 1 cars — including the spectacular turbo era

The specific grid categories are adjusted for each edition. All cars must have documented racing history or period provenance.

The Circuit

Races take place on the full Monaco Formula 1 street circuit — 3.337 km of barriers, elevation changes, tight corners and tunnel through Monte-Carlo, La Condamine and the harbour. Seeing vintage cars navigate the same challenging layout at racing speed is a spectacular experience.

Schedule

The event typically runs over three days (Friday to Sunday) and includes:

• Practice and qualifying sessions
• Race heats for each category
• Paddock access and car displays
• Parades and demonstrations

The 14th edition is scheduled for 8-10 May 2026.

Tickets

Tickets are sold through the ACM and official channels. Options include:

• General admission — access to various viewing points around the circuit
• Grandstand seats — reserved seating at key corners and the start/finish line
• Hospitality packages — premium experiences with catering and VIP access

Prices are considerably lower than for the F1 Grand Prix, making this an excellent alternative for motorsport fans visiting Monaco.

Practical Tips

• The paddock is open to spectators, offering close-up views of some of the rarest racing cars in the world — a major advantage over the modern Grand Prix
• Some former Formula 1 drivers and prominent car collectors participate as drivers
• The circuit closes central Monaco streets; plan your movement around the city accordingly
• Hotels in Monaco fill up for the event; book accommodation well in advance
• The event takes place about two weeks before the F1 Grand Prix — combining both visits is possible but accommodation will be in very high demand
• Public transport (bus) operates on modified routes during the event