Formula E back in the Principality: Preview of the 2024 Monaco E-Prix

Formula E between Casino and Rascasse: this makes motorsport fans' hearts beat faster, as the famous "Circuit de Monaco" through the Principality is one of the most legendary racetracks in the world. The eighth race of the 2024 Formula E season will be held there next weekend. The race will decide who will finish the first half of the tenth championship as the world championship leader. In our preview, we answer all the questions about the race - including track details, schedule and streaming.

Where exactly will the Formula E race take place?

Monaco is without question one of the most glamourous venues of the entire Formula E season - and also one of the smallest. With around 39,000 inhabitants, the principality on the Mediterranean coast is the second smallest country in the world - only the Vatican City State is smaller. Monaco has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297. This makes Prince Albert's family the longest-reigning royal family in Europe. However, France only recognised Monaco's independence in 1861, even though the country is directly dependent on France today, for example in terms of security.

There is hardly a more famous racetrack in formula racing than the one through the narrow streets of Monaco. Formula E now uses the same layout as Formula 1 and therefore passes all the familiar spots such as the harbour basin, the iconic casino and the Grand Hotel corner. The famous tunnel is also included. To minimise disruption to rush-hour traffic, the streets of Monaco will only be closed off on the Saturday of the race. This means that the track walk will take place in the middle of the flowing traffic and the first free practice session will not take place until early Saturday morning.

Fast facts | Monaco

• Although Monaco is only about the size of London's Hyde Park, it is home to a relatively large number of people - exactly 39,000, making it the most densely populated country in the world.
• You can walk from one end of the Principality to the other in just over an hour. You can also walk around the Formula E circuit in around 45 minutes.
• The world-famous casino in the Monte Carlo district generates around five per cent of Monaco's total turnover. Unlike tourists, locals are not allowed to gamble there. Tourism is generally the most important economic sector in the Principality.
• There is a total of 42 metres between the highest (Casino) and lowest (Rascasse) points on the course. This is the biggest difference in altitude of any track on the current Formula E calendar.
• Assuming that the average yacht in the port of Monaco is around 50 metres long, 66 yachts would have to be lined up to complete the Formula E circuit. However, practical realisation could be difficult due to some tight bends.

Who is broadcasting the Formula E races at Monaco on TV & livestream?

Coverage of the qualifying and race sessions depend on the region you're in. e-Formula.news offers free Formula E live streams for the free practice sessions though. Here's the schedule for the weekend (CEST).

 
* All data in Central European Summer Time (CEST)

What characterises the race track in Monaco?

On 3.337 kilometres, the Formula E drivers have to master a total of 19 bends and several metres of elevation gain. Just like in Misano or Sao Paulo, it is important to save energy in the slipstream on the long full-throttle sections such as the start and finish straight, the uphill section before the Beau Rivage and the tunnel. However, we don't expect any slipstream battles like at the last races.

The attack zone is set up in Casino turn 4. The start-finish straight, the hairpin bend, the short straight after the tunnel and the harbour chicane offer good overtaking opportunities. With attack mode up the hill, we have also seen very good manoeuvres after Sainte Devote in the past.

What has happened since the last race in Misano

Since the last race in Misano less than 14 days ago, things have been a little quieter around Formula E. All the news from the last few days at a glance:

• DS Penske will line up at the Monaco E-Prix with a special livery. The cars of Stoffel Vandoorne and Jean-Eric Vergne will be covered with a lot of black foil and some gold accents.
• In the run-up to the Monaco E-Prix this Thursday, the Gen3 Evo car is to be unveiled.
• Update for the Berlin E-Prix: After Envision and Mahindra, ABT has also confirmed its replacement driver, as Nico Müller has to take part in the parallel WEC race at Spa-Francorchamps. Kelvin van der Linde is once again stepping in.
• Meanwhile, repair work is taking place at Tempelhof in preparation for Formula E.

In which order do the drivers start qualifying?

In Formula E, qualifying takes place in two stages: Group stage and knockout stage. For group qualifying, the driver field is initially divided into two halves, with all drivers in the odd-numbered championship positions (positions 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.) competing in Group A and the drivers in the even-numbered positions in Group B. The four drivers with the fastest lap times in their group after twelve minutes will then progress to the quarter-finals, where they will duel for the best grid positions. The qualifying groups for the Monaco E-Prix are as follows.

What will the weather be like in Monaco?

Good weather is forecast for most of the Monaco E-Prix. The sun is expected to shine on Saturday morning with maximum temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees. In the afternoon or evening, however, a few rain clouds could move towards the Mediterranean coast. There is even a 70 per cent chance of rain forecast for Saturday evening. However, the race could just go ahead in dry conditions.

Who are the favourites?

After the Misano E-Prix, one thing is very clear: The Porsche drivers in the person of Pascal Wehrlein, Antonio Felix da Costa or Jake Dennis, who has been a little more consistent than the two works drivers are among the contenders for victory in Monaco. The same applies to Oliver Rowland, who has recently stood out with strong races and who was only held back in Misano by a miscalculation by his own team.

In the Stellantis camp, Maximilian Günther has recently outperformed the two champions Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne and appears to be somewhat more competitive than DS Penske in the Maserati. That leaves Jaguar... The aim for both the works team and Envision as the customer team is to achieve a good qualifying position and then finish the race without any incidents. All four drivers have already proven in the past that they can perform in Monaco.