--- title: "Apple Built a Little 3D Monaco F1 Circuit to Explore in Apple Maps" date: "2025-05-14" modified: "2025-05-14" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/apple-built-a-little-3d-monaco-f1-circuit-to-explore-in-apple-maps" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "News" tags: - "Apple" --- # Apple Built a Little 3D Monaco F1 Circuit to Explore in Apple Maps ![Side by side images of iPhones showing details on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit.]() *\Apple, Rafael Fernandez via Wikipedia\* Would you love to know what it's like to explore the [Formula 1]() Monaco Grand Prix, but can't because you're a pleb? Don't worry, me too. Good news for us, though—or at least those of us who use iPhones—as we can now explore the iconic street circuit using Apple Maps starting today, in the run-up to Apple's new *[F1]()* movie starring Brad Pitt. Users can virtually get up close and personal with some of the tiny country's biggest landmarks, with what Apple calls the "Detailed City Experience (DCE)." So there are custom-designed 3D visuals of the Casino de Monte-Carlo, Fairmont Monte Carlo, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Yacht Club de Monaco, and the F1 Paddock Club. There are even little yachts in Monaco's famous Port Hercules, and you'll be able to pick out details like grandstands and gantries. And if your iPhone is set to dark mode (whose isn't?), the buildings and boats will light up in the night. It isn't all just for fun, though. The DCE also shows detailed road and lane markings, trees, and signage for bus and bike lanes, medians, specific turn lanes, and road closures with detours during the race itself. In other words, it will actually make [navigating Charles Leclerc's hometown]() that much easier, especially if you're on foot and can zoom into the map with a keen eye for detail. ![]() ![]() ![]() Along with DCE is a Windshield View that is more focused on helping drivers, rather than pedestrians. Apple says that this feature "shows a road-level view as a user approaches complex interchanges, making it easier to see upcoming traffic conditions or the best lane for an approaching exit." The iPhone maker has rolled this out in some other cities, but since it didn't provide any images in this case, we'll just have to imagine what it'd feel like to be down on the ground in Apple's *Sims* version of Monte Carlo. All this launches today, though you'll have to update your iOS device to version 18.5 to see it. With the actual [Monaco Grand Prix]() on May 25 and Apple's Brad Pitt vehicle hitting theaters on June 27, you can be sure the tech giant is doing all it can to get everyone interested in F1. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()