1929 Monaco Grand Prix

43°44′4.74″N 7°25′16.8″E / 43.7346500°N 7.421333°E / 43.7346500; 7.421333

The 1929 Monaco Grand Prix was the first Grand Prix to be run in the principality. It was set up by wealthy cigarette manufacturer Antony Noghès, who had set up the Automobile Club de Monaco with some of his friends. This offer of a Grand Prix was supported by Prince Louis II and the Monégasque driver of that time, Louis Chiron. On 14 April 1929, their plan became reality when 16 invited participants turned out to race for a prize of 100,000 French francs.^[1]

The event was won by William Grover-Williams (listed on timing sheets as W. Williams), who drove a Bugatti T35B.^[2]

Twenty drivers were invited to participate in the contest, although only sixteen started the race due to incidents both on the way to the event and in practice. Local driver Louis Chiron also did not participate, choosing to compete in the 1929 Indianapolis 500 instead. Therefore, Rudolf Caracciola, a Mercedes-Benz factory driver, was the favourite to win the event.^[1]

The starting grid was determined by ballot, with Philippe Étancelin starting on pole position and Caracciola starting fifteenth.^[3] William Grover-Williams took the lead at the start of the 100-lap race, with Caracciola close behind him. Caracciola took the lead on lap 36, but Grover-Williams was able to take back his position six laps later. Both drivers made a pitstop midway through the race, but Caracciola's stop was much slower, allowing Grover-Williams to build a one lap lead. Georges Bouriano and Philippe de Rothschild (listed as Georges Philippe) also emerged between the pair, although Caracciola soon overtook the latter to finish third.^[4]

Grid positions were determined by a ballot. Philippe Étancelin drew pole position.

• 1929 and the first Monaco Grand Prix – footage of the event