The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix kicks off this Sunday in the streets of Monte Carlo. Here is the exact start time and the schedules to remember according to your time zone.
Read more Lando Norris shakes McLaren after a nightmare weekend in Monaco: «A real reality check»
Considered one of the most iconic events in Formula 1, the Monaco race holds a special place in the world championship. Between the rails, tight corners, and almost total absence of margin for error, the Monegasque track transforms each edition into a challenge of particular intensity.
With 78 laps to cover in the streets of the Principality, drivers will have to demonstrate absolute precision, both in terms of driving and strategy. In this context, the starting position often plays a decisive role, given the difficulties of overtaking on this urban circuit.
What time does the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix start?
The start of the race is scheduled this Sunday at 15h00, local time in Monte Carlo.
In Monaco, the start is even more crucial than elsewhere. The starting straight is short, and the Sainte-Dévote corner comes immediately, making it a traditional hot spot of the first lap. With gaps often minimal in qualifying, the slightest error can quickly upset the hierarchy.
Read more The explosive starting grid of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix
Drivers will therefore have to find the right balance between aggression and caution, especially in the first corners where the risks of contact are high. In a race where pit stop strategy and traffic management also play a key role, every decision can prove decisive.
An anticipated spectacle in the streets of the Principality
As every year, the Monaco Grand Prix promises a unique atmosphere, combining glamour, sporting tension, and permanent uncertainty. The grandstands overlooking the port and the moored yachts offer an incomparable setting, further reinforcing the exceptional character of this event.
While qualifying has already offered a glimpse into the intensity of the weekend, the race promises to be particularly competitive. All eyes will now be on 15h00, kick-off time for one of the most anticipated moments of the Formula 1 season.
Read more Charles Leclerc on the brink: Ferrari discovers a worrying problem during Monaco qualifying