11th, Monaco's Pioneering Race: Varzi and Nuvolari's Intense Battle in 1933
The fifth Monaco Grand Prix would be a landmark event, in that the grid would be determined by practice times rather than ballot – an idea borrowed from America. Eighty years on, it has proved quite durable.
It was the first time in 1933 that all major teams had entered the same event, although one big name was lost before the start when Rudolf Caracciola crashed his Alfa Romeo after brake failure obliged him to tackle Tabac at too ambitious a speed. The German sustained hip injuries that would keep him out of action for more than a year.
Achille Varzi became the first driver to qualify for a Grand Prix pole and would engage in a wonderful duel with Tazio Nuvolari’s Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Monza.