Critics of the Monaco Grand Prix may be a little disgruntled this Friday morning.
Formula 1 has announced that it has extended its existing contract with the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) by six years, with the Monaco Grand Prix remaining on the F1 schedule until 2031.
The Monaco Grand Prix is the crown jewel of the F1 calendar, an event that combines the sport's rich history with some of the most glamorous and captivating imagery the season has to offer. The Monaco Grand Prix, contested on the streets of Monte Carlo, takes drivers through the Principality along the banks of the Cote d'Azur, tackling some of the most historic track sections in the history of the sport. This includes the tight Fairmont Hairpin, the slowest corner on the schedule, and a high-speed tunnel section.
But Monte Carlo's narrow and narrow roads are not conducive to thrilling races, especially in recent years. This puts a lot of emphasis on Saturday's qualifying session, which will go a long way in determining who wins Sunday's main event.
This year's race was no exception, and perhaps an extreme example of this phenomenon. The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix was notable for Monaco native Charles Leclerc finally tasting victory in his home race after many years of heartbreak. However, a crash involving three drivers (Sergio Perez, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg) on the opening lap brought out a red flag, allowing the drivers to pit and undergo a mandatory tire compound change. .
As a result, the race restarted and the pace was significantly slower as the drivers managed their tires over the next 78 laps. McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished second behind Leclerc. SB Nation A few days after that race, I talked about how difficult it was to pass on the streets of Monte Carlo.
“It's incredibly tough. [to overtake in Monaco]. The difficult thing for me is that I was right behind Charles for most of the race, but it wasn't because he was slow,” Piastri said. “That's because I decided to go slowly.”
“So there are clear strengths and weaknesses, and it’s different than other places where you can set that up. [for an overtake]. Like him, if he wanted to go faster, he could do it literally depending on what he wanted to do with his right foot,” added the McLaren driver. “So that was also difficult.”
Piastri admitted that he had tried to overtake Leclerc once, but looking back on the race afterwards, he admitted that it would have been difficult to pull off a successful overtake.
“I tried to go into Turn 8 once to try to get by, but yeah, looking back, to be honest, I ended up going further back than I expected. So it definitely didn't work out, but. I think that's the nature of Monaco.”
And while some may have watched Sunday's race and found it frustrating not to be able to overtake, Piastri was actually happy to be driving around the tight Monte Carlo streets as his laps drew to a close. he admitted.
“To be honest, for the last 10 laps of the race I was very happy to be racing in Monaco.” [because] We were struggling a little bit with the tires,” Piastri added. But yeah, that's the nature of the beast out there. ”
F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said he was “delighted” that the Monaco Grand Prix would remain on the grid until 2031.
“We are delighted that F1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031. The streets of Monte Carlo are a unique and famous part of F1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains every driver's dream race.”
To win. We would like to express our special thanks to Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club de Monaco, and everyone involved in extending this important partnership. ”
Domenicali also mentioned that the Monaco Grand Prix's position on the schedule will change from next season onwards. For years, the race has been held at the end of May during Memorial Day weekend in the United States, setting up an incredible triple-header with the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600.
However, F1's commitment to sustainability means the Monaco Grand Prix will be moved to the first full weekend in June.
“This agreement heralds a new era of partnership and innovation between F1 and Monaco. With the forward-looking leadership of Prince Albert II of Monaco, we continue to optimize our path towards net zero targets. by 2030, reducing the burden on logistics and the environmental impact of the World Championships.”
This change may prompt many fans, and perhaps a sportswriter or two, to try to attend both the Indianapolis 500 and Monaco Grand Prix starting in 2026.
And maybe even the driver.
For example, Fernando Alonso has driven in both the 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix and is the only active driver to win two of the three races in motorsport's “Triple Crown” consisting of the Monaco Grand Prix and the Monaco 24 Hours. . Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500. Having won both Monaco and Le Mans, Alonso would achieve the feat if he wins at Indianapolis, making him only the second driver in history to do so, alongside Graham Hill. It will be.
2026 might give him a chance.
