Divided location signs new mega contract with F1

Fears over the future of the Monaco Grand Prix may be subsiding now that the street circuit has been confirmed with a new multi-year contract extension.

The Monte Carlo circuit will remain on the F1 calendar until at least the start of the next decade, with F1 confirming it has extended its contract with the Automobile Club of Monaco.

The Monaco Grand Prix will receive a long-term contract extension

The Monaco Grand Prix appeared to have fallen out of favor in recent seasons, with the historic circuit the most likely to produce ‘boring’ races on the calendar, thanks to its narrowness preventing much overtaking.

Now that Monte Carlo has been overtaken by numerous land reclamation works and development, the picturesque character of the Principality has disappeared from TV audiences and, thanks to the entry of several new street circuits such as Las Vegas and Miami into the calendar, the unique challenges and opulence of Monaco were not more so big. just as unique for longer.

It has left fans deeply divided over sentiment towards Monaco. On the one hand, the procedural nature of the race is a unique challenge in itself, and its history goes back a century as one of F1’s most iconic venues, but the progressive nature of the race is a unique challenge in itself. The nature of F1 in recent years suggested Monaco could disappear from the calendar.

But that day won’t come anytime soon, with F1 confirming a six-year extension to keep the Monaco Grand Prix running until 2031. The first Monaco GP was held on the streets in 1950 and has always been present (apart of the 2020 COVID season) since then.

When announcing the race, F1 emphasized the impact of the Monaco Grand Prix on viewers.

“With Formula 1 experiencing significant growth around the world, the appeal of the Monaco Grand Prix continues to be palpable,” the company said in a press statement.

“The 2024 Grand Prix weekend was watched by a cumulative audience of more than 70 million fans and was the most watched edition of the race in US history, and the third most watched F1 race of all time in the US.

“With this agreement, the Automobile Club of Monaco, in coordination with the Principality, has made an important contribution to Formula 1’s sustainability efforts and its ambition to create a calendar that is sustainable for all stakeholders.”

In recent years a break from tradition has occurred in Monaco when the usual Thursday practice/free Friday day came to an end in favor of a normal weekend schedule, while Monaco will no longer host the race in a traditional May slot.

“From 2026, the Monaco Grand Prix will be held every year on the first full weekend of June,” F1 confirmed.

“The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix will take place from May 23 to 25 next year and marks the 75th anniversary of the race’s official F1 debut.”

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Stefano Domenicali: The streets of Monte Carlo are unique

Making the announcement, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali revealed his “delight” that the race will remain on the calendar.

“The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and a famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning,” he said.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco, and everyone involved in expanding this important partnership.

“This agreement heralds a new era of partnership and innovation between Formula 1 and Monaco.

“It is the forward-looking leadership of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco that will enable us to create an optimized calendar, which will reduce the pressure on logistics and reduce the environmental impact of our global championship, as we move towards continue our net profit. Zero target by 2030.”

Michael Boeri of the ACM said: “I would especially like to thank HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Stefano Domenicali and everyone involved in the renewal of this contract.

“The signing of this new agreement with the Formula One Group until 2031 not only confirms the strength of our relationship, but reaffirms our commitment to providing all visitors with an unparalleled, first-class experience during race weekends. The Monaco Grand Prix is the most important sporting event here and continues to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators to the Principality, as well as millions of television viewers around the world.”