Top 10 Biggest Upsets in F1 Monaco GP History

Biggest Upsets in F1 Monaco GP History

Graham Hill

10. Jarno Trulli – 2004

Trulli took his only career win in Monaco by beating Schumacher and Alonso on outright pace. Renault’s qualifying strength and defensive drive made it a rare modern upset.

9. Ricardo Patrese – 1982

Patrese won his first Grand Prix after a chaotic final lap where multiple leaders spun or retired. It remains one of the strangest, most unpredictable Monaco finishes ever.

8. Max Verstappen – 2021

Red Bull entered Monaco as the challenger to Mercedes at that stage of the season. Leclerc’s failure to start and Verstappen’s control of the race created a strategic upset over the title favorite.

7. Patrick Depailler – 1978

Depailler delivered Tyrrell’s first win in years against faster Ferrari and Lotus cars. Smooth tire management and stability over raw speed turned the race into a surprise victory.

6. Jo Siffert – 1968

Siffert won for privateer Rob Walker Racing against full factory teams. It was the last time a private entrant won at Monaco and symbolized the end of an era.

5. Maurice Trintignant – 1958

Trintignant won driving a privateer Cooper for Rob Walker Racing, beating the established factory teams. It marked the first Grand Prix victory for a rear-engine car at Monaco and stunned the traditional manufacturers.

4. Jean-Pierre Beltoise – 1972

Beltoise won his only Grand Prix in torrential rain while driving for BRM. His wet-weather drive beat Stewart and Fittipaldi, creating one of Monaco’s most respected upsets.

3. Jochen Rindt – 1970

Rindt won after Jack Brabham, who was leading comfortably, crashed at the final corner on the final lap. The dramatic turnaround created one of the most famous surprise wins in F1 history.

2. Graham Hill – 1969

Hill won his fifth Monaco race in a Lotus that was no longer the fastest car in the field. His precision and experience defeated rivals with more competitive machinery.

1. Olivier Panis – 1996

Panis won for Ligier, starting 14th on the grid in a race where only three cars finished. It remains the greatest shock result in Monaco history, and Ligier’s final Grand Prix win.