The 2012 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that took place in the principality of Monaco on 27 May 2012. It was the sixth round of the 2012 season, and the seventieth running of the Monaco Grand Prix. The race was supported by the GP2, GP3 and Formula Renault 3.5 series. Mark Webber's victory created a new record for Formula One in that there had never been six different winners of the opening six Grands Prix of the season before. Mercedes' Nico Rosberg came in second place, his second podium in the 2012 season, and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso third and taking the Formula One championship lead by three points over Vettel and Webber.
Fernando Alonso (pictured in free practice) sported a special livery helmet during the race weekend.
Pastor Maldonado was one driver who had to retire following the accident in the first corner.
Jenson Button retired from the race on lap 70.
2012 Formula One World Championship
The 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 66th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 63rd FIA Formula One World Championship, a motor racing series for Formula One cars, recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) – the governing body of motorsport – as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars. The championship was contested over twenty rounds, which started in Australia on 18 March and ended in Brazil on 25 November. The 2012 season saw the return of the United States Grand Prix, which was held at the Circuit of the Americas, a purpose-built circuit in Austin, Texas. After being cancelled in 2011 due to civil protests, the Bahrain Grand Prix also returned to the calendar.
Sebastian Vettel (pictured in 2011) became a three-time World Champion with Red Bull Racing.
Fernando Alonso, driving for Ferrari, finished runner-up, three points behind Vettel.
Kimi Räikkönen finished the season in third place on his return to F1, driving for Lotus.
The Red Bull RB8 is the car entered by defending World Constructors' Champion Red Bull, and which won the World Constructors' Championship in 2012.