'Not true': F1 figure shoots down speculation about Monaco GP
Formula One figure Michel Boeri has shot down suggestions the future of the Monaco GP is under threat, as the sport continues its expansion around the world.
The F1 last month revealed that Las Vegas would be hosting a race in 2023 in the latest change to a rapidly evolving calendar.
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This year’s F1 schedule is set to feature 23 races with a yet-to-be-announced event to replace Russia’s spot on the 2022 schedule.
Next season, Las Vegas is joining, while Qatar begins a 10-year contract, and China is slated to return subject to the country’s Covid-19 status and protocols.
The Monaco GP has been historically been viewed as such a prestige event that it was not required to pay a hosting fee for races, however that arrangement has been ended by F1's new owners Liberty Media.
With a race in South Africa likely to be added to the F1 schedule in the future and the season capped at 24 races, it's led to increasing pressure on events to justify their positions on the schedule.
F1’s chief executive, Stefano Domenicali, warned the “pedigree” of a race would not determine its place on the schedule and indicated that a rotating schedule of races could be on the cards.
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of racing's most historic events and was first held around the streets of the principality in 1929.
It was part of the inaugural F1 World Championship schedule in 1950 and was ever-present across six decades until its absence in 2020.
However, with F1 cars becoming increasingly larger and heavier, it's raised questions about Monaco's suitability to host races and concerns of an inevitable Sunday procession.
Monaco GP organiser dismisses concerns about race's future
The president of the race's organising committee has dismissed speculation that Monaco could be left off the F1 schedule after 2022.
“I want to allude to what we have read in the press, where difficulties are mentioned after this 2022 edition, that is to say from next year, to continue organising Grands Prix,” Michel Boeri said.
“It was understood that Liberty Media’s asking prices were too excessive for Monaco, and that the Grand Prix would no longer be done.
"It’s wrong. We are still in discussions with them and we must now put them in concrete by signing a contract.
"I can guarantee you that after 2022, the Grand Prix will continue to take place. I don’t know if the contract will be for three or five years, but that’s a detail.”
Monaco will this year fall in line with the rest of Formula 1’s events by holding its practice sessions on a Friday.
The Monaco GP had previously run the opening two sessions on Thursday, as part of a historical hangover that emerged as a tradition, which meant Friday was a day of rest.
It effectively led to a five-day weekend, with pre-event media build-up held Wednesday, but it has now been shortened to reduce time away for paddock personnel.
with agencies
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