10 More Years of the GP of Monaco

[cosworth151]

The best F1 news I've heard in quite a while! The Grand Prix of Monaco will remain on the F1 schedule through 2035.

Now, if they can just get the cars back to a reasonable size to fit the track.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/f1-to-race-in-monaco-through-2035-after-contract-extension.6djpsN0QD5Zygd4SIcrSZO

[Jericoke]

It is so weird, how Monaco is such a bad fit for modern F1, and yet remains the centre piece of the F1 season.  It is THE race I think of when I think of F1.  Even though F1 only keeps the race for heritage and prestige reasons (i.e., $$$ to the sport), it feels like it would lose its soul to stop racing in Monaco.

[John S]

It's the original street race and could be the best if as Cossie says they can trim the size of F1 cars.
They're making a start next year but it still needs to go further. Maybe before the contract runs out we'll see a decent race again in Monte Carlo.

[Dare]

I'd add the Italian and British GP as F1 heritage races.

[Andy B]

I'd add the Italian and British GP as F1 heritage races.

I'd agree.

[Jericoke]

I'd add the Italian and British GP as F1 heritage races.

I'd definitely put Monza and Silverstone ahead of Monte Carlo for racing spectacle.  I also agree that they're both critical to the 'heritage' of F1, especially with Italy and England being the axis that F1 spins around.  They just don't have the 'glitz' nailed down that Monaco has.

Naturally as a race fan, I don't care about the glitz, but as an F1 fan, the glitz is what elevates F1 from sport to event.

[cosworth151]

I totally agree with Dare. I'd a also add Spa to the list.

[Andy B]

I totally agree with Dare. I'd a also add Spa to the list.

Oh yeah!

[Jericoke]

I totally agree with Dare. I'd a also add Spa to the list.

Spa is a great race, if I had to pick 1 race to keep, it would probably be that.

But as great as the Belgian GP, it doesn't bring anything to sport like Monaco does.  And even though they've got a history of putting on great races, there isn't much Belgian content in F1.  Their best ever racer doesn't even race under the Belgian flag.

Obviously an F1 race doesn't have to elevate the sport to be great, or even relevant.  A good track, treat the fans right, both in person and on TV, that's what we want.  But England and Italy are the cultural heritage of F1 in a way that Belgium isn't.  Monaco provides something else.  Other races can copy Monaco, but they are just copies (even if they're very good at it)