Despite all its prestige and history, the Monaco Grand Prix has never been truly calm about its future in recent times. It's hard to imagine parting with such a monument, but Formula 1 has nevertheless demanded certain conditions from the promoters of the event so that it can last in the long term.
The extension signed in September 2022 confirmed this trend with a new contract going “only” until 2025. Happy to see the event still on the program, Christian Horner nevertheless suggested that changes needed to be made to ensure a better show.
« Monaco is Monaco. The race is on the calendar mainly because of its history, but the problem is that the cars are so big today that the possibilities have diminished furtherraised the main Red Bull team a little over a year ago, tired of these almost tasteless Sundays. If there was just a space to overtake, it would change everything. You need to create a braking zone, perhaps by extending the circuit and including a hairpin. That would be phenomenal! Its history makes the Grand Prix a crown jewel, but the sport continues to evolve. »
No extension but a new date
The project, dating from 1971, of an extension of the circuit was then put back on the table. The idea was then to take Boulevard du Larvotto at the Portier roundabout and return via Boulevard Princesse.
At first glance, this was not mentioned during this latest contract extension, made official this Thursday, November 14, lasting until 2031. On the other hand, another question was at the center of the debates between F1 and the 'Automobile Club de Monaco, that of the date.
Usually held on the last weekend of May, the Monaco Grand Prix has been postponed until later in the season. From 2026, it will take place on the first weekend of June. A simple detail at first glance but which has real importance at a time when Formula 1 and Liberty Media are seeking to regionalize their calendar.
By postponing the Monegasque classic by one week, this allows the governing bodies to free up a slot earlier in the year for – ideally – place the Canadian Grand Prix there, traditionally contested around mid-June. Thus, they could organize the Miami and Montreal races one behind the other in May before the field enters a sort of European “mega tour” running from June to September. Logical from a logistical point of view while the Canadian event is a thorn in the side concerning the organization.
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