“If the World Championship had to be reduced to one race, it would have to be Monte Carlo,” said three-time Formula 1 world champion Jackie Stewart. The 67 Grands Prix held so far through the urban canyons of the principality have made a significant contribution to the legends of the pinnacle of motorsport. When tomorrow (from 2.25 p.m. live on ORF 1) the royal couple congratulates the winner in their box with the same sentence – “I’m glad it’s you” – the future of the race seems more uncertain than ever.
Under the tradition-conscious and conservative Bernie Ecclestone, the classic on the Cote d’Azur was still considered indispensable. It even went so far that Monaco had to pay a significantly lower entry fee to Formula 1 than other GP organizers. Since the US company Liberty Media took over the racing series in 2017, however, a different wind has been blowing. In order to emphasize staging and spectacle, traditions are sacrificed if necessary.
Not up to date anymore
The contract between Formula 1 and the Monaco Automobile Club expires with tomorrow’s race, and there are quite a few who doubt that the street circuit fits the requirements of a modern circuit. “If Monaco were to be included as a new route and they say: We have the lowest entry fee of all routes and you go where you can’t overtake – Monaco would never be on the racing calendar,” explains Red Bull team boss Christian Horner . His Haas counterpart Günther Steiner sees it similarly: “We cannot live in the past.” A race in which you can’t overtake is nonsense, says ex-Swiss driver Marc Surer.
In addition, the competitive pressure is increasing. Despite all human rights and political discussions about the venue, the new street circuit in Saudi Arabia offered pure spectacle. Miami celebrated its premiere this year, Las Vegas will be added in 2023.
Liberty Media has already broken with a Monaco tradition: Formula 1 did not train on Thursday as is usual here, but only yesterday. Ferrari set the tone, especially Charles Leclerc. “It’s a different world,” said ORF expert Alex Wurz. Sergio Perez in the Red Bull followed almost four tenths of a second behind.
Source: Nachrichten
