Michel Boeri, boss of the Automobile Club of Monaco, admits to being relieved that the legendary street race will survive F1’s expected European exodus.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali suggests a new race rotation system, where European rounds would have to make do with one Grand Prix every two years, will be “Soon” defined.
Monaco’s existing racing contract was one of the least lucrative on the current calendar, and Boeri admits that negotiations for a new contract until 2031 – which was announced last week – have been difficult.
“It’s an ‘I love you, me neither.’ Negotiations lasted at least six months,” reveals Boeri to Monaco Info.
“The problem was that as soon as we had a verbal agreement, we had to finalize it with a 60-70 page contract, drawn up by American lawyers, and there was no longer a fly flying, we had to be careful.”
“It was a legal fight which went beyond the small clashes we had with Stefano Domenicali, who defended interests which were not mine. All that is in the past, it is swept away : we must now look to the future and our successors will have plenty of time to adapt and get up to date.”
He admits to being particularly relieved that Monaco, expected to pay double its annual registration fee in 2026 and beyond, will not be subject to the race rotation system that is looming in F1.
“Compared to other European Grands Prix, we have some small advantages, but above all, there is no alternation,” stated Boeri. “We’ll be there every year.”
“In the face of bulldozers, the bicycle that is Monaco was not crushed, that’s already not bad!”
“Not only will many European Grand Prix disappear, but those that remain will alternate. I believe that with the demand that F1 has today, there will only be two to three Grand Prix left in Europe, the interest shifting towards China and other continents.”
And on the occasion of National Day, Prince Albert II shared his satisfaction in the columns of Monaco Matin.
“We can only rejoice at this news. I knew it was on the right track, as of Wednesday [13 novembre]both the president of the Automobile Club, Michel Boeri, and Stefano Domenicali informed me of this. There were still a few details to iron out which took a little longer than expected.”
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