So the race we all look forward to the most is almost upon us – the Monaco Grand Prix.

Images of icons from a bygone era shooting along the streets of Monte Carlo and past the famous harbour stay etched in the minds of F1 fans young and old.

In honour of this special occasion, formula1fancast is here to bring you a small glimpse of what made the race special in the first place.

Visitors to the formula1fancast site, Twitter feed and Facebook page have been voting for their favourite Monaco moments all week – and now you have had your say, here are your top three choices!

So sit back, relax and enjoy the glitz, glamour, excitement and drama of the best Monaco races from years gone by.

1982 – Chaos in the closing laps

If Monaco is known for its glamour and sophistication, then the 1982 edition of the race flew in the face of all the race stands for as cars laid strewn all over Monte Carlo in perhaps the most dramatic end to a formula 1 race in the sports history.

Perhaps the greatest testament to how dramatic the finish to the 1982 race was is that Alain Prost’s spectacular spin on the harbour front chicane was not the most shocking aspect of the race – that came when a rain storm engulfed the principality to make the track dangerously slippery.

“The 1992 Monaco Grand Prix is a race that has to be seen to be believed”

With Prost and previous race leader Rene Arnoux out of the race and three laps remaining, the lead fell into the hands of Riccardo Patrese. The Italian then spun and a bump start proved in vain as Didier Peroni  and Andrea de Cesaris zoomed past him.

Both Peroni and de Cesaris then ran out of fuel in the tunnel on the last lap Derek Daly unable to take the lead having suffered a broken gearbox – amazingly leaving Patrese to cross the line in first. A race that has to be seen to be believed. Enjoy.

1982 Monaco Grand Prix Highlights (External Link)

1988 – Sennna dominates – then crashes

One of the most liked amongst formula1fancast fans, the 1988 race could well have been Senna’s second win at the famous street circuit at the time and fill in the missing gap that run that would see the Brazilian win every race between 1987 and 1993.

That he missed out on the race came down to an uncharacteristic era from the great man in the face of unbelievable error from rival and team-mate Alain Prost.

Having led from the start, Senna had opened up a commanding lead over Prost, who had dropped a place to 3^rd having been passed by Gerhard Berger. When the Frenchman did eventually pass Berger he was 46 seconds behind with only 30 laps remaining.

In the face of some incredible pressure from Prost, Senna pushed harder and eventually pushed too hard, spinning off on lap 67. Prost went on to win the race, while Senna took the championship that year – and a great rivalry was almost at its peak.

1988 Monaco Grand Prix Highlights (External Link)

1992 – Senna ends Mansell streak

The winner of the best Monaco race by formula1fancast fans. 1992 began with Nigel Mansell in his Williams winning the first five races of the season – but that was about to end as an opportunistic Ayrton Senna snatched a famous win from his rival.

Mansell had dominated qualifying once more and took his 6^th pole in 6^th races of the 1992 season, and things appeared to be going to plan as he got off the line and into the first corner in the lead.

“The McLaren driver then held of Mansell as he charged around looking for the race victory, and the resulting duel will go down in history as one of the most spectacular battles in the sports history.”

Further back Senna was in the wars and was losing time behind the Williams driver – an incident with Michele Alboreto cost him ten seconds alone – and any hopes of taking a fifth Monaco win looked slim.

But then a loose wheel nut halted Mansell’s charge, and a visit to the pits put him behind Senna. The McLaren driver then held of Mansell as he charged around looking for the race victory, and the resulting duel will go down in history as one of the most spectacular battles in the sports history.

Senna held his rival to equal Graham Hill’s five wins and take his place in the record books. He would surpass Hill’s record a year later.

1992 Monaco Grand Prix Highlights (External Link)

Keep checking back to formula1fancast for the best coverage of the Monaco Grand Prix. Have your own favourite moment or disagree with these choices? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook

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