The relationship between Renault and the region began on the 1924 Monte-Carlo Rally. On the following edition, François Repusseau in a Renault 40CV won, which inspired Louis Renault to officially involve his company. More success came, most notably with the Renault Nervasport in 1935, the Renault Dauphine in 1958, the Alpine-Renault A110 in 1971 and 1973 and the Renault 5 Turbo of Jean Ragnotti in 1981.

In 1972, the French carmaker made its debut on the streets of Monaco. The 1971-born Formula Renault was the opening race for the F1 Grand Prix, becoming the first feeder category organized by Renault Sport to evolve in the Principality, a tradition that has gone nearly uninterrupted ever since. 1972 also marked the first victory for a Renault engine in the Monaco Grand Prix Formula 3 race, a feat that was repeated in 1979 by Alain Prost.

Over the decades, Renault continued to shine at the sport’s most glamorous destination both in rally and F1, where Renault made its debut in 1978. Many pole positions and podiums were scored by René Arnoux, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, before the first triumph for a Renault engine, with Michael Schumacher in 1995. Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso scored 100% Renault successes in 2004 and 2006, before Red Bull took over with Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, who came from the World Series by Renault ranks.

Renault has also maintained a long tradition between its single-make series’ and Monaco. Since 1976, the Principality has been animated by the Renault Sport single-make sedan categories. Since 2003, its streets have hosted the best of the Formula 1 promotion categories proposed by the French constructor.

The Eurocup Formula Renault V6 was the first to have the honour to compete on the Antony Noghès designed circuit. Jaime Melo won ahead of Matt Halliday and José María López. The following year, Germany’s Sven Barth took the victory ahead of Neel Jani and Andrea Belicchi witnessed by Prince Ranier.

From 2005, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series took to the streets of Monaco. Christian Montanari won the maiden edition and was joined on the podium by Jaap van Lagen and Adrián Valles, who now oversees his own team, AVF.

In 2006 Christian Montanari won the pole in his effort to take a second successive Monaco victory but was defeated by Pastor Maldonado who today races for the Lotus F1 Team. The following year Alvaro Parente took the win ahead of championship leader Sebastian Vettel. The German driver went on to make his Formula 1 debut just a few weeks later, before going on to become a four-time World Champion.

Now a clear stepping stone to F1, Charles Pic won the 2008 Formula Renault 3.5 Series win in 2008, ahead of Giedo van der Garde and Fairuz Fauzy. All three went on to participate in the sport’s elite category in the years to follow, as did 2009 winner, Englishman Oliver Turvey.

Today a driver in Infiniti Red Bull Racing Renault Team, Daniel Ricciardo also starred in the Principality. In 2010, the Australian won ahead of Mikhail Aleshin and Albert Costa, before returning the following year to triumph a second time, ahead of Robert Wickens and Brendon Hartley. The Red Bull Junior Team driver then moved onto Formula 1 one month later.

In the two most recent editions, Sam Bird won in 2012 ahead of Jules Bianchi and Alexander Rossi, before losing his crown to Nico Muller, who now competes in the DTM. The Swiss driver’s victory gave the International Draco Racing team its third victory, equaling Tech 1 Racing for most wins at Monaco.

From Thursday practice through Saturday qualifying and the race on Sunday the world will discover the new Princes of Monaco, still celebrated by Renault, reflected by its Monaco GP limited edition, embodying the historic partnership between the Renault and the Automobile Club de Monaco.