Monaco Grand Prix 2021: practice, qualifying, F1 race schedule, UK start time - and TV guide

Drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will resume their rivalry when Formula 1 returns to Monaco in 2021
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F1 and spectators return to the French Riviera for the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.

Leading drivers Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen look set to resume their rivalry for Formula One honours at the Monaco GP when the race starts.

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But it was the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr who sat one and two from Thursday’s (20 May) practice times before a rest day ahead of qualifying and the main event.

Max Verstappen holds the lap record of 1:14.260 at the Monaco Grand Prix, which he recorded in 2018. (Pic: Getty)Max Verstappen holds the lap record of 1:14.260 at the Monaco Grand Prix, which he recorded in 2018. (Pic: Getty)
Max Verstappen holds the lap record of 1:14.260 at the Monaco Grand Prix, which he recorded in 2018. (Pic: Getty)

Monaco missed out on their customary Formula 1 fixture in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic but has returned to the schedule in 2021 along with an expected 7,500 spectators.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix 2021.

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When is the Monaco GP?

In 2021, the race schedule is split up across four days starting with two rounds of practice on Thursday 20 May. The drivers and teams will have a rest day on 21 May.

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The action resumes on Saturday 22 May when a third practice session is scheduled for 11am-12noon before the hour-long qualifying commences at 2pm on the same day.

The Monaco GP will take place at 2pm on Sunday 23 May. All times are BST.

Where is the Monaco GP circuit?

The Monaco Grand Prix takes place around the iconic streets of the sovereign city-state.

Drivers will navigate 78 laps of the tightest twists and turns they will experience all year across the 3.337km-long circuit, totalling 260.286km from start to finish.

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Monaco has been synonymous with F1 for more than 70 years and was part of the calendar of the first Formula 1 World Championship way back in 1950.

Verstappen holds the lap record of 1:14.260 which he recorded in 2018.

What TV channel is the Monaco GP on?

All practice and qualifying sessions - and the Monaco GP - will be aired live on Sky Sports’s dedicated Formula One channel Sky Sports F1.

Sky customers who subscribe to the channel will get unprecedented coverage of the entire 2021 season and all the twists and turns that go with it.

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Sky Sports F1 costs £18 per month to add as an individual channel for customers, while the complete sports package costs £25 per month.

Highlights will also be shown on Channel 4.

What time does TV coverage of the Monaco GP start?

There is round the clock coverage on Sky Sports, with programming for Sunday’s GP scheduled to begin at 1.55pm after shows previewing the main race.

Terrestrial TV viewers can watch highlights of the Monaco Grand Prix after the race has concluded at 6.30pm on Sunday 23 May, in a programme which runs to 9pm.

How can I live stream the Monaco GP?

Existing Sky Sports customers can stream the Monaco GP through the Sky Go app on various digital devices, including phones and tablets.

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Non-Sky customers can opt for a day or month pass of Sky Sports channels through NOW TV without committing to a contract.

The cost of NOW TV passes vary from £9.99 for a day pass to £33.99 for a month pass and can be streamed through the NOW TV app.

The NOW TV app can be found on most smart TVs, as well as phones, tablets and computers - depending on your viewing preference.

What are the latest odds on Monaco GP winner?

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Hamilton is second favourite at 7/4 with Unibet, Leclerc is at 10/1 with SkyBet and WilliamHill, Valtteri Bottas is 14/1, and Sergio Perez and Sainz both at 16/1.

All odds correct at the time of writing (21 May).