This is a controversial topic that has been pondered many times. Several issues of F1 Racing Magazine in the past few years had readers write in saying that the cars had outgrown the streets of the principality. Racing in the principality has been likened by the first Nelson Piquet as "flying a helicopter in your living room."
While Formula One cars have become amazingly quick and amazingly aerodynamic (a mandatory prerequisite of the sport), the Circuit de Monaco has hardly changed. It is known as the slowest race on the Formula One calendar and the average speeds going through the twists and turns of Monte Carlo are around 150 km/h, about 50-60 km slower than other Grands Prix.
However, this is not new. Nelson Piquet's quote comes from the 1980s, and even in the 1930s when it first debuted, people complained that the cars were too fast, and it's certainly not news that the cars today are too fast.
But for a circuit where you don't have a lot of room, a driver error is followed by a crunching noise into the barriers, and is considered a way to separate the men from the boys in Formula One, the Monaco Grand Prix has appeared to become more of a ceremony than an actual race. Of course you will see amazing drives like Michael Schumacher's stellar drive from 22nd to 5th, but these tend to be anomalies.
Overall though, opinion on this race tends to be divided. Monaco is a crown jewel for Formula One, and many fans wonder why the question of taking Monaco out should even be addressed. On the other hand, another group of fans believe that Monaco has run out of fuel and that other high-speed tracks should take priority in order for us to watch some world-class racing.
What would the general consensus be towards Monaco? For the record, my opinion on this issue is neutral.
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2 months ago
As you say, it separates the men from the boys, and poses a unique challenge to the constructers too. Keeping your head at Monaco for 77 laps is no mean feat, and anyone who can do it with the finesse that - for example - Jarno Trulli did in 2004 deserves accolades.
Although its races aren't as exciting as those on tracks where overtaking is easier, I think it's a necessary spetacle for F1 to retain - for status and publicity, as much as anything else.
2 months ago
Great article and I believe that this will divide the masses ... I say keep it ! I love Monaco and I think it would be a travesty to take it out of the calendar as much as it would to take Silverstone from us !
2 months ago
Sheiban
Quite controversial yes - but the very fact that makes it monotonous (no overtaking and pretty much no room for error) is actually what makes a widens the gap between a mediocre and a stupendous driver
Someone like Senna or Schumacher can easily gain a second a lap on this track when compared to other tracks
Also - one of the few tracks that levels the playing field I think .... I remember many times when lesser cars have held their own on this track - we need a playing field to provide opportunities for other cars - dont you think
Plus - the lovely women sun bathing and on the balconies always help
am not neutral ... am for Monte Carlo
good article mate
2 months ago
What a ridiculous question. No offence, but why would anyone want to get rid of Monaco?
There is more chance or Benire marrying someone smaller than him than Monaco leaving the calender.
I do find it amazing, however, that Monaco is on the calender when there is alost zero run-off areas. The petition to bring the original Nurburgring back got 6 million signatures, and the FIA said it has insufficient safety areas. Yeah right.
2 months ago
nice article, i see what your saying, its a tight course, limited (if at all any) run-off areas. A lot of crashes usually happen on race weekend, and with the FIA saying they want to cap spending and make it cheaper to be involved in F1, a track which eats F1 cars for breakfast isn't helping the budget.
However, I feel that the track is a must, it does- as you say, separate the men from the boys, its not the most exciting track, but its glamourous as is F1, and its a challenge, after racing open circuits, (bahrain, Malaysia, Barcelona) its nice to have a change and see the drivers almost struggle with 77 laps on a twist street circuit, before returning to open-wide tracks.
I personally say 'its a must on the F1 calendar!'
2 months ago
It is a must. Races are often won by whoever gets pole position at every circuit so I see that as a non issue.
2 months ago
With the safety of the cars nowadays, a crash at monaco only means long-safety car periods.
For me, it is the Monaco GP that provides F1 with a sense of glamour and prestige and must be retained whether some like it or not. Just look at all the diamonds that are present, all the fashion models, all the rich and famous, all the movie premiers, all the sponsor deals that are done, all the partying that takes place in the clubs and on yachts. The racing, the business, the entertainment are just brought so close together at Monaco that the sport will just not be the same without the GP.
2 months ago
If Max Mosley is forced out of the President ship of the FIA, it is unlikely that the commercial rights holders under Bernie could be prevented from finishing for ever such street GP,s as Monaco.
Monaco is far from an ideal circuit for modern FI cars.
The major manufacturers who now dominate the sport would far sooner see a series of circuits that standardized the technical needs and investment levels to ensure fairly predictable results.
Circuits like Monaco add wild cards to the mix that reduce the profit potential for such companies as BMW, Mercedes and Honda.
The modern adversity to driver injury and fatalities also place Monaco off the accepted levels of safety expected from other sports bodies and reduce the commercial interest.
It is the objection to this dilution of F1 by the FIA and Max in particular that is one main factor behind the reason for the MI5 involved sting on Max.
Those responsible must be brought to book for the sake of F1 and also the British security services.
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