the romance, the heartache – monaco and schumi

1992. At his first appearance in Monaco, after just 10 races under his belt, Schumacher finishes a strong fourth, after the epic Senna-Mansell duel and Patrese’s other dominant Williams. The german beats his teammate Brundle by half a minute.

1993. Still in his underdog Benetton, Schumi drives a great race, leading until lap 32 when hydraulics gave up on him. First major blow for him in the Principality.

1994. Two weeks after tragic Imola, the Monaco GP was a fourth consecutive win for Schumacher in the 94 season. It was his first pole position and first Grand Chelem (pole, win, fastest lap+ leading all laps). He lapped everyone except his podium neighbors, Brundle and Berger.

1995.  A replay of 94, with Schumacher winning in formidable style, lapping everyone but the podium (Hill and Berger).

1996. Ferrari days in Monaco start with a lap 2 crash in wet conditions, just before the tunnel. Schumacher had started from the all-important pole, but ended up as one of the many victims in this race that remained in history with its only 4 finishers and with the 2 hours mark being reached!

1997. Worse conditions than the year before made way for a dominant display in the rain by Schumacher, who led from the start until the 62th and final lap, when the 2 hours mark was reached again.

1998. A collision with Wurz at Loews made him end 2 laps down in tenth place.

1999. The front row was Hakkinen-Schumacher, but a better start from the Ferrari made him run away with victory, followed by his team-mate Irvine.

2000. Schumacher took pole ahead of Trulli and benefited from the italian to build up a huge gap until his suspension gave up on lap 55, ending his grand prix in dramatic fashion.

2001. Schumi controlled his frenetic teammate Barrichello down to the flag, ensuring a Ferrari one-two. It was going to be his last Monaco win, as the Principality became the demon-track in the Italian team’s golden era.

2002. Coulthard defended his lead very well ahead of Schumacher, driving a brilliant tactical race.

2003. A train of three cars ran around the streets and away from the rest, but noone found a winning manoeuvre, with Montoya winning from Kimi’s Mclaren and Schumacher’s Ferrari.

2004. Montoya hit Schumacher from behind in the tunnel, on lap 45, while the german was en route to third.

2005. As Albers spun at Mirabeau, Coulthard braked hard and Schumacher had nowhere to go but in the Red Bull’s back. A nosecone change ended his hopes for the podium, finally ending in eighth spot.

2006. His last Monaco GP caused a huge controversy on Saturday, when he stopped on track to impede Alonso from snatching his pole position. His charge from the back of the grid ended in 5th spot.

An all or nothing approach, as Monaco’s casinos inspire.