Formula 1: The future of the Monaco GP could be in jeopardy
MONACO – Cities around the world want to host a Formula 1 event and are ready to pay astronomical sums to the queen series of motorsport to achieve this. This is what jeopardizes the future of the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious races on the calendar.
Impossible, one might think.
After all, F1 is part of the landscape of the small principality as much as Grace Kelly and the legendary casino of Monte-Carlo. The Grand Prix is also part of the prestigious Triple Crown of motorsport, along with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Admittedly, the organizers of the Monaco Grand Prix pay a certain amount to F1, but this would be symbolic and would be around $15 million. Some cities would pay up to $60 million per year, with the Canadian Grand Prix doing quite well at this level, with an amount probably oscillating between $18 and $19 million.
F1 is, however, in the last year of its agreement with the Monaco Grand Prix, and if the talks do not progress quickly, then the Monegasque circuit could be excluded from the 2023 calendar. For its part, F1 and the three levels of government have a valid contract to present the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal until 2029.
“I believe that Monaco has always had a very advantageous commercial agreement with F1, and I believe that the series is trying to reach an agreement that is comparable to those of the other circuits, while recognizing its importance to the calendar,” commented McLaren manager Zak Brown.
“I believe Formula 1 is now strong enough not to be at the mercy of any team, driver or race organisers. Obviously, no one wants Monaco to disappear, but we also have to understand the shareholders, who must conclude a commercial agreement similar to those of the other circuits, because of the increasing demand for obtaining a Grand Prix. »
So, is Monaco replaceable in the F1 landscape?
“That would be very bad. F1 without Monaco is not F1, said Charles Leclerc, a Ferrari driver from Monaco. F1 has some historic circuits such as Silverstone and Monza, and I believe they should all stay (on the calendar). »
After all, the residents of Monaco watch the cars on the track from their balconies, the better-off gather on the terraces overlooking the last two corners, La Rascasse and Antony Noghes, named in honor of the co-founders of the race.
Every year, celebrities from all four parts of the world gather in the principality for the occasion, and actors make the trip from the Cannes Film Festival. And on Saturday, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton arrived at the circuit in a racing boat.
“It’s one of the most spectacular weekends, if not the most spectacular,” he admitted.
For his part, Leclerc grew up in an apartment that overlooks the circuit, and he played with little Ferrari cars as a kid. Double F1 world champion Fernando Alonso, who triumphed twice in Monaco, said it would be absurd to replace this stop on the calendar simply because overtaking on the track is often impossible.
“He must be on the schedule, a hammered 40-year-old Spaniard. Before 2011 or something like that, there were no overtakes in Budapest, Barcelona and Singapore, and they (the leaders) never eliminated those races. »