International Volvo Photo Locations Part 10
2010 – Volvo S80 D5 AWD at Fairmont Hotel Hairpin on Avenue Princesse Grâce in Monte Carlo, Monaco
2013 – Grand Hotel Hairpin in Monte Carlo, Monaco (Google Streetview)
1981 – Volvo 760 GLE at Fairmont Hairpin on Avenue Princesse Grâce in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
2022 – Fairmont Hairpin on Avenue Princesse Grâce in Monte Carlo, Monaco (Google Streetview)
Fairmont Hotel Hairpin on Avenue Princesse Grâce in Monte Carlo is one of the most famous corners in the world. It is part of the Circuit de Monaco, which is a street circuit laid out on the city streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine around the harbour of the principality of Monaco. It is commonly referred to as “Monte Carlo” because it is largely inside the Monte Carlo neighbourhood of Monaco.
The circuit is used on one weekend in the month of May of each year to host the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix. Formula One’s respective feeder series over the years – F2, Formula 3000 and today GP2 – also visit the circuit concurrently with Formula One.
The Grand Hotel Hairpin is also known as Fairmont Hairpin (and formerly known as the Loews Hairpin, and before that as the Station Hairpin). It is a corner which has been used for many overtaking manoeuvres in the past. However it would be almost physically impossible for two modern F1 cars to go round side by side, as the drivers must use full steering lock to get around. It is so tight that many Formula 1 teams must redesign their steering and suspension specifically to negotiate this corner.
Formula One visits every year Monaco.
It’s tough to single out just one corner on this legendary street track, but we’ve narrowed it down to Turn Six, more commonly known as the Grand Hotel Hairpin (formerly Loews). Although it must be the slowest (and is certainly the tightest) corner on the calendar, this hairpin presents its own unique challenge. Taken at under 50 km/h in first gear, before it sends you plunging downwards towards Portier and the tunnel, it requires full steering lock – some teams even have to modify their steering racks to make the corner – and as much concentration as a driver can muster. It distils the very essence of Monaco. And believe it or not, you even see overtaking here, especially on the opening lap when tyres, brakes (and brains) may not be quite up to temperature. (From Zain Kain’s Blog)
More information on en.wikipedia.org and Automobile Club de Monaco.
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