1961 Monaco Grand Prix

Entrants

This is the first World Championship race under the new 1,500 cc engine regulations. Ferrari arrives with the mid-engined 156 “Sharknose” purpose-built for the new formula, while Lotus, BRM, Cooper, and Porsche are running adapted Formula Two units. It is also the 50th World Championship race entry for Cooper.

Monaco’s qualifying procedure awards guaranteed grid places to the five works teams and to past winners Stirling Moss and Maurice Trintignant. Nine further drivers contest the four remaining spots on speed.

Practice

Practice was difficult for Team Lotus. Jim Clark crashed heavily at the first corner. In the final session, Innes Ireland struck the tunnel wall at speed, destroying his car and breaking his leg; he will not start the race, opening a fifth slot in the speed-qualifier group.

Stirling Moss takes pole in his Rob Walker Lotus-Climax, with Richie Ginther’s Ferrari and Clark’s Lotus sharing the front row. Graham Hill and Phil Hill share the second row.