Will the Monaco GP Ever Be Removed From F1?

Monaco has been hosting races since 1929. This F1 Crown Jewel will turn 100 years old in the following six years. This says a lot about Monaco Circuits’ extensive history. Despite the fact that a lot has changed in that time, including the automobiles, the principality itself, and the area around this stunning city, the practice of scheduling races amongst the fastest cars through tricky turns has persisted. However, since the sport’s new owners have taken over, major additions like Miami and Zandvoort have raised the eyebrows of F1 chiefs who desire to cater to fans and generate revenue. So, will this track, which has a long history, be removed from the F1 calendar?

The demanding and winding Monaco racetrack is regarded as the ultimate talent evaluation for motorists. However, despite its rich history and popularity, Monaco does not appear to be untouchable on the F1 schedule anymore. Since its contract was about to expire, the Monaco Grand Prix remained a hot topic last year. However, the authorities have chosen to continue operating one of the longest-running circuits for an additional three years.

So, what could be the reason for these dark clouds gathering around this crown jewel? Why are the F1 authorities contemplating the possibility of removing Monaco? Let’s have a look at some of those reasons.

The outdated street tracks of Monaco GP

When considering the contract with the Automobile Club of Monaco, F1 chief Stefano Domenicali brought up a few important issues. The well-known Formula 1 track is beginning to appear more and more obsolete as the sport as experts consider that the new technologies brought to the cars over the years make them cumbersome to drive around the narrow streets of Monaco.

One of the most notable complaints from both drivers and spectators is that the race largely continues to be a letdown. Why? It’s due to the track’s design that overtaking is nearly unattainable.

READ MORE: Why Do F1 Drivers Like Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen Live in Monaco?

ACM’s decision to provide significant trackside sponsors and enhancement of TV coverage

Formula 1 has attracted numerous sponsors thanks to its general popularity and commercial appeal. Therefore, the government must make sure that its official partners are treated fairly. Monaco is an exception, though, where the ACM (Automobile Club de Monaco) still holds some of the rights to offer trackside sponsorship and advertising. Monaco’s decision prevents the official partner from receiving the exposure for which they pay the motorsport a significant sum of money.

ACM doesn’t just have control over the advertising, but also the broadcasting. In most of the F1 circuits, F1 administration does the broadcasting and coverage and therefore they are able to have a stronghold on the entire coverage. But since ACM dictates how the coverage takes place, we sometimes tend to miss some crucial actions as ACM has shown in the past that they do not possess the same level of prowess as the FIA when it comes to coverage.

The crucial element known as “Money”

It has long been argued that the Monaco Grand Prix does not pay the F1 authorities a significant amount of money, although this is erroneous as organizers do pay the charge, albeit not as much as the middle eastern countries who pay almost three times as much as the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Formula 1 host receives a payment of $12–$15 million. However, the governing body may not expect the organizer to spend as much as their high-paying venue, they would still like to see an increase in the finances.

WATCH THIS STORY: Why is The Monaco Grand Prix so Prestigious in the World of Formula One?

Monaco is among the F1’s oldest racing venues, thus it’s safe to argue that the most historic location needs to be safeguarded. Rather than thinking about removing the iconic track from the calendar, we should look to see if we can make some changes to the format or to the track so that the history lives on. A vintage motif can be more engaging for the fans and safe for the heritage. Please share your thoughts on what you would want to see the F1 authorities do with the iconic Circuit de Monaco.