Written By Sema Naye - Naipenda Tanzania on Saturday, May 25, 2013 | 3:09 PM

SunSpeed 2013: Monaco Grand Prix

HAIR RAISING ... The tight corners of Monaco's street circuit make overtaking an art for Formula One's finest

THE tight street circuit in the principality of Monaco has witnessed some epic scraps over the years.

But in these days of paddle gear shifts and no refuelling being necessary, opportunities to cash in on a mistake and make a swift pass are few and far between.
Eight of the last 12 Monaco Grands Prix have been won by the driver starting on pole position and since 1950 only 10 winners have begun the race outside of the top three on the grid.
This could perhaps be the one race of the season where excitement levels may benefit from an abundance of pit stops for tyre changes.
What became overkill last time out in Spain could make Monaco more of a gamble — and more fun to watch.
For the record, French F1 ace Olivier Panis holds the record for winning the Monaco Grand Prix from the lowest starting position. In 1996 he took the chequered flag having started 14th on the grid.
Watch our video guide below then scroll down for more must know facts on the Monaco Grand Prix.

JIM MUNRO and Chris Hockley give the inside track on the sixth race of the new F1 season
MONACO GRAND PRIX
Venue: The Circuit de Monaco has a lap distance of 3.340km. The race will be held over 78 laps, a total distance of 260.520km. The race is due to begin at 2pm local time, which is 1pm UK time on Sunday, May 26. Mochael Schumacher set a lap record of 1min 14.439secs with Ferrari in 2004.

FEELING BUBBLY ... Mark Webber laps up the applause after winning the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix

Triple trouble: Red Bull have won the last three Monaco Grands Prix, Mark Webber's wins in 2010 and 2012 sandwiching Sebastian Vettel in 2011.
Red missed: A Ferrari has set the fastest lap at Monaco in five of the last nine races but the team's last win was back in 2001 with Michael Schumacher.

SPAIN GAIN ... Fernando Alonso celebrates victory at the Spanish Grand Prix last time out

Winning run: Fernando Alonso's victory in Spain was the 32nd of his career. Sebastian Vettel has 28 and Lewis Hamilton 21. Kimi Raikkonen needs one more triumph to eb the most successful Finnish driver on terms of race wins. He's presently tied with double world champion Mika Hakkinen on 20.
Silver service: If a Mercedes can take pole position in Monaco it will be the first time the team has managed that feat for four races in succession. Of the present crop of F1 drivers, Sebastian Vettel has achieved the most pole positions, netting 38, while Lewis Hamilton is next up with 27 and Fernando Alonso third with 22. Michael Schumacher is top of the all-time career list with 68.