The Monaco Grand Prix will remain on the F1 calendar until at least 2031.
While there had been doubts about Monaco’s future in the sport, today the series announced the circuit will remain on the F1 calendar until at least 2031.
BREAKING: Formula 1 to continue to race in Monaco after new multi-year deal#F1 pic.twitter.com/sfXyX4bAJZ
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 14, 2024
Monaco will alter its traditional race date to the first weekend of June 2026 as per the new agreement. This adjustment will ensure that the Monaco Grand Prix no longer coincides with the Indianapolis 500.
The Monaco GP and Indy 500 will no longer clash as the Monaco GP will move moving from its traditional end-of-May date to the first weekend of June from 2026 onwards 🔥
Under the new deal the Monaco GP will stay on the F1 calendar until 2031 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Pr8debcuMl
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) November 14, 2024
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali shared of the news:
“I’m delighted that Formula 1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031
“The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and iconic in the world of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning.”
Is this good for the sport?
Monaco’s historical weight is undeniable. The country has hosted races since 1929 and debuted on the F1 calendar in 1950. It has become the sport’s crown jewel and an emblem of glamour and VIP status. Each year, royalty and Hollywood alike gather to watch the grid take to the streets.
However, critics frequently highlight the poor racing quality on this circuit. The narrow track leaves little room for error and offers few opportunities for overtaking.
At the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, the top 10 on the grid finished where they started for the first time in F1 history. While many dubbed the race one of the most boring in F1, some found delight in Charles Leclerc’s win on the streets he grew up on.
The weekend drew in over 70 million viewers, making it the most-watched edition of the race in US history and the third most-viewed F1 race of all time in the US. Monaco must be doing something right.
The drivers, however, seemed less enthusiastic. Max Verstappen, who finished P6, voiced his frustration over the radio, saying, “F*** me, this is really boring… I should’ve brought my pillow,” after struggling to overtake George Russell’s Mercedes.
Is Monaco fixable?
Post-race, Russell suggested introducing mandatory pit stops, a change that teammate Lewis Hamilton has previously advocated for, calling for two or three mandatory stops for each driver.
While such a rule could improve the racing spectacle, it raises the question: is it fair to tailor specific rules for individual circuits? F1 already makes some compromises for Monaco, bypassing the FIA’s 305km minimum race distance despite its 78 laps. However, enforcing mandatory pit stops could set a controversial precedent that might be avoided by removing the track from the calendar altogether.
Many drivers have also called for a track layout change, but Monaco’s narrow streets make alterations nearly impossible. There was once hope for an expansion beyond Portier, but this proved unfeasible.
Another idea was to remove the Nouvelle Chicane after the tunnel to add a DRS section, but this would likely compromise safety due to the high-speed Tabac corner that follows. Monaco’s streets do not allow for side-by-side racing, limiting options for reconfiguration.
The future
Given that the circuit will celebrate 100 years of operation in 2029, it is likely F1 will celebrate what the space has offered the sport. From 2031, it will be time to seriously consider Monaco’s future on the F1 calendar.
While changes are difficult to make and safety remains paramount, alternating the circuit each year with another in Europe could be a viable solution. This approach could maintain Monaco’s historical significance while addressing some of the challenges it presents in terms of racing quality and safety.
