Trackside at the world’s most glamorous race meeting

All the weekend’s action from Monte Carlo

Last weekend's Monaco Historic, or the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique to give it its full name, was another spine-tingling celebration of classic racing in one of motorsport's most iconic locations.

C&SC's very own James Mann was trackside to capture all the action and soak up the atmosphere – come rain or shine.

So dive in and immerse yourself in the rich variety of machinery on show and doing battle on the streets of Monte Carlo.

Pre-war racers kick off the competitive action

Here, the pre-war Grand Prix cars get underway, with Paddins Dowling in the number 26 ERA – the eventual race winner – at the front of the image.

1927 Bugatti 35C

Lukas Halusa cocks a wheel in this fabulous 1927 Bugatti 35C in the first race of the 2018 Grand Prix de Monaco Historique – the Austrian finished fifth.

2018's most stylish meeting

You can't escape the glitz and glamour of this famous setting, as racers and visitors alike are transported back in time.

Pre-1961 F1 and F2 Grand Prix Cars

Julian Bronson qualified his 1960 Scarab F1 third in the race for pre-1961 F1 and F2 Grand Prix cars.

He came home fourth, behind the two Lotus 16s of Joaquin Folch-Rusinol (car 34) and with Nick Padmore (car 30), who finished third and second respectively.

1959 Tec-Mec F415

The winner of the pre-1961 F1 and F2 Grand Prix cars race was Tony Wood in his father's Tec-Mec F415. He qualified second, but after nine laps was almost six seconds clear of his nearest rival.

1954 Cooper-Jaguar T33

Chris Ward battled the conditions to take his Cooper-Jaguar T33 (Mk1) to victory in the race for front-engined sports racers.

1962 Lotus 25 (Climax)

The 1961-1965 F1 Grand Prix cars power into Saint Devote on the first lap of their race. Pole-sitter and eventual winner Andy Middlehurst in the Classic Team Lotus car leads the way.

March and McLaren do battle

Bjorn Wirdheim in the March 711 (car 21) and Stuart Hall in the McLaren M19A (car 15) started first and second respectively in the race for F1 Grand Prix cars built between 1966 and 1972.

After 12 laps, the Swede came out on top, crossing the line less than half a second ahead of the chasing Brit.

1969 Lotus 49B

Formula One aero supremo Adrian Newey was absent from the weekend's Spanish Grand Prix to drive his Lotus 49B to a class victory at the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique.

1973 McLaren M23

Hall was back for the 1973-1976 F1 cars race, this time in a McLaren M23 – here he is during qualifying.

He put it on pole with a time over two seconds quicker than that of Michael Lyons in another McLaren, however it was Lyons who took the chequered flag in his 1976 M26.

1976 Shadow DN5B

Nick Padmore in his striking Shadow DN5B en route to fourth on the grid in the race for ’73-’76 F1 cars. Sadly, he was an early retirement.

The weekend's youngest racers

The last race of the weekend was an 18-lap or 45-minute contest between 20 F1 cars built from 1977 to 1980.

1977 McLaren M26

Former F1 driver Eddie Irvine drove the 1977 McLaren M26 in the 'F1 Heritage' parade. The Ford-Cosworth DFV-powered car was raced by Jochen Mass, James Hunt and Patrick Tambay in period.

1970 McLaren M14A

The McLaren M14A was driven in the F1 parade by double World Drivers' Champion – and former Monaco Grand Prix winner – Mika Häkkinen on Saturday, with Mark Blundell behind the wheel on the Sunday.

Mika Häkkinen and the McLaren M14A

Häkkinen poses with the M14A, a model driven in period by the likes of Denny Hulme, Dan Gurney and Bruce McLaren himself. 

Lotus 25

Another car to feature in the 'F1 Heritage' parade was this Lotus 25, Emanuele Pirro on driving duties.

1968 Lotus 49B

That's a familiar helmet in this Lotus 49B! Josh Hill, grandson of Graham, was the lucky chap driving his grandfather's 1968 Monaco Grand Prix-winning car in the F1 parade.

1961 Lotus 18

Former F1 and sports car racer John Watson piloted this 1961 Lotus 18 in the weekend's parades.

Williams FW04

Another racing car participating in the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique F1 parade was this Williams FW04, Thierry Boutsen behind the wheel.

1983 Williams FW08

This Monaco Grand Prix-winning Williams returned to the streets of Monaco 35 years after its victory – it was Keke Rosberg's win in 1983.

Porsche 804

Another parade at the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 celebrated Porsche's 70th birthday. Among the cars on show was this 804, driven by motorsport legend Derek Bell.

Porsche 911

Another famous face behind the wheel of a Porsche in the anniversary parade was Vic Elford.

Porsche 936/81

Here, Jacky Ickx pilots his Le Mans-winning 936/81 through Casino Square in the Porsche parade.

Preparing the stars of the show

The pits and paddock are always evocative and interesting places at historic race meetings – and a reminder of what it takes to run a classic racing car.

Lamborghini Marzal

Here's someone who knows how to turn heads in serious style: Albert II, Prince of Monaco. He's behind the wheel of an eye-catching Lamborghini Marzal concept car.

For more detailed results from the Monaco Historic, read our report.