Formula 1 | Monaco threatened on the F1 calendar? Verstappen and Alonso don’t see why
Can you imagine a circuit paying very few rights to Liberty Media, while offering an often boring show on Sundays, staying on the calendar for a long time? This circuit already exists, it is that of Monaco.
The place of the Grand Prix has been openly threatened by the sport’s American owners… but it is also true that Monaco retains a certain aura in the calendar, with the glamorous image that the race brings.
Should Monaco have an immunity totem? Max Verstappen acknowledged that if the circuit applied today to enter the calendar, it would surely be rejected. But Monaco remains Monaco!
“If they came up with such plans today with the current layout of the circuit…probably it wouldn’t be on the schedule. But because of its historical value… well, I think of the amazing weekends we’ve had, you know, over the years, and with that I feel Monaco belongs on the calendar. »
“Of course with the cars we have now they are a bit too big, a bit too long, a bit too heavy for the layout of the circuit, but that is something special. And I think so, we have to continue with Monaco on the calendar. »
2nd in the Grand Prix here last year, Carlos Sainz also believes that despite everything, Monaco should remain on the F1 calendar.
“Monaco deserves to be on the F1 calendar anyway. When you think of Formula 1, a lot of people think of Monaco. So yes, it would be nice to put a place to overtake, I’m not going to lie. So the show could be a little better on Sunday but even if it’s not the case, everyone knows that a weekend here is qualifying, around pit stops. And everyone is already expecting that. »
Mick Schumacher does not hesitate for his part to recall that another European Grand Prix deserves its place on the calendar: that of Germany of course (but the return of Volkswagen should help there).
“He really deserves to stay on the schedule. It is a historic event. On the other hand, if we exchange it for a German Grand Prix, obviously we take the German Grand Prix; at least I would. But yes, if you respect both, that would be great. »
The story is the same with Fernando Alonso, who does not see the problem today concerning Monaco.
“Yes, it must be in the schedule. And I see no reason why it shouldn’t be on the schedule. Because yes, any overtaking is difficult, as also in Singapore. Like in Barcelona, like in Budapest, before the DRS, you know, before 2011, there were no overtakings in Budapest or in Barcelona or in Monaco, in Singapore, and there were no discussions to study the removal of these courses from the calendar. Now there’s a lot of talk, you know, with social media, how the world is, you need to always talk about things, and random things that don’t make sense. »