La Rascasse corner

This is La Rascasse, the penultimate corner of the circuit, named after the bar and restaurant tucked into the bend of the quay. The rascasse is also the red rockfish essential to bouillabaisse. The corner is slow and tight, a right hander taken almost brushing the restaurant wall. It is famous for an episode in 2006: during qualifying a top driver stopped his car here, preventing rivals from improving their times; the stewards penalised him and sent him to the back of the grid. On race days the bar is one of the liveliest spots in the principality, with music and fans pressed against the fences. After La Rascasse there is only the Antony Noghès corner, named after the founder of the Grand Prix, before the pit straight and the chequered flag. In the evening the quay is very convivial: a good place to end your walk.

History

Here is La Rascasse, the penultimate corner of the circuit. It is named after the La Rascasse restaurant, set in the bend of the quay, around which the track forms a hairpin. The rascasse is also the red rockfish of Mediterranean cooking.

This corner has only existed since 1973. That year a new section ran along the harbour from the Swimming Pool and ended in a hairpin around the restaurant; the pits were moved back onto the freed quay. In 1976 a chicane was added at the exit of La Rascasse, and the Antony Noghès corner was tightened to slow the cars.

Art and architecture

La Rascasse is a very tight 135 degree right hander that needs full steering lock. Drivers reach it after heavy braking and a quick short left. Right after, a short straight leads to the last corner, Antony Noghès, a tight right that brings the cars back onto the pit straight.

That final corner honours Antony Noghès, president of the Automobile Club de Monaco and organiser of the first Grand Prix in 1929. In 2003 the area was reclaimed from the sea: the stretch between the Swimming Pool and La Rascasse was moved 10 metres towards the harbour and redesigned. In 2004 a building on the old stretch of track doubled the depth of the pit area.

Anecdotes

La Rascasse remains linked to an episode in qualifying in 2006. In the final minutes of the session, while Fernando Alonso was on a flying lap, Michael Schumacher stopped against the barriers at this corner, compromising his rival’s lap. Schumacher called it a driving error; the stewards judged it deliberate and sent him to the back of the grid. Alonso started from pole.

The circuit also hosts other events: in 2026, during the Monte Carlo Rally, a stage was run here one car at a time, with the start and finish moved to La Rascasse.

What to look for

Outside the Grand Prix, stroll along the quay and follow the curve around the restaurant: you will see how close the track runs to its walls. Then look towards the Antony Noghès corner and the straight beyond: that is the circuit’s only DRS zone, 510 metres long.

In the evening the quay is lively, and the boats of Port Hercule form the backdrop you see on television during the race.

Practical

The circuit is a public road, open to traffic all year outside the Grand Prix. Keep to the pavements and quayside walkways, and cross at pedestrian crossings.

During the build and on race weekend, access to the quay changes and grandstands take up the space. Check the Automobile Club de Monaco website (acm.mc).

Nearby

The pit straight leads you back to Sainte-Dévote, the first corner: the loop is complete. Along the quay in the other direction, you will find the Swimming Pool and the tunnel exit.

For the 2006 episode, read the Wikipedia article "2006 Monaco Grand Prix".

Test yourself

Sources

• Wikipédia : Circuit de Monaco
• Wikipedia : Circuit de Monaco
• Wikipedia : 2006 Monaco Grand Prix

Information checked on 30 September 2026.