Last Updated on May 27 2024, 9:23 am

Like many of the European Formula One races, the Monaco Grand Prix pre-dates the inauguration of the championship in 1950. The first F1 race to be held in the principality provide a certain Jaun Manuel Fangio with his first victory in the newly formed racing championship but due to budgetary problems along with regulation changes, Monaco was not a regular on the F1 calendar until 1955.

The circuit has remained substantially unchanged since the first race was held around the city in 1929, although the profile of certain corners and the placing of the start finishing line has differed over the years. Yet the streets which wind between the historic buildings in the sparking Cote D’Azure principality define the layout of the track given the properties have been there longer than even the earliest motorsport.

 

 

 

Monaco not suitable for modern F1 racing

Through the years, Grand Prix racing cars have come and gone in many forms, yet even the monsters of the pre-war with 25 litre aeroplane engines have a fraction of the footprint of the modern Formula One machines. The problem is the streets of Monaco cannot be widened, so now the relatively narrow track makes overtaking pretty much impossible which has created the saying, ‘the Monaco Grand Prix is won and lost on Saturday’ during qualifying.

Were Monaco now proposed to F1 as a new circuit the entire project would be laughable to those in authority and further a number of historic circuits have been booted from the calendar due to their inappropriate facilities for the demands of the modern sport. Suggestions have been made over the years to drop the principality from the world championship and run a non-points scoring demonstration weekend there instead.

Yet the drivers and teams fiercely defend their annual weekend visit to the riviera with the incredible history of racing there being held in such high regards. This race was part of the triple crown which included the Indy500 and the 24 hours of Le Mans. Just one man has completed this remarkable achievement the history of motorsport and it was the legend that was Graham Hill.

Fernando Alonso and Juan Pablo Montoya are the only active drivers to have won two of the three events, needing to win the Indianapolis500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans respectively to complete the Triple Crown. Ayrton Senna was the most successful F1 driver to compete around  Monaco’s tight and twisty streets with a record six victories including five consecutive wins between 1989-1993. His final tally included eight podiums in the ten starts he made to the race.

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Principality pays smallest hosting fee to F1

So history, glamour and nostalgia have kept Monaco on the F1 calendar long after the race became a procession and teary eyed drivers salute the chorus of horns of the mega yachts in the harbour when they take pole position or the chequered flag ahead of the field.

But F1 has new owners, and as much as Americans love to be seen to be where the glamour is, they also love making money more. Monaco was risk of being dropped from the calendar when its contract concluded and its current $20m a year deal ends in 2025. Once upon a time the principality didn’t pay a hosting fee due to their royal family lending Bernie Ecclestone the money to buy the commercial rights to the sport and the current fee is the lowest amongst all the F1 venues according to Bloomberg.

For all the glitz and glamour of the 2024 race weekend, Sunday’s race around the iconic route was notably lacking in action. An opening lap incident between Kevin Magnussen and Sergio Perez saw the race red flagged on lap one. Under the red flag rules, drivers could change tyres fluffing their mandatory one pit stop requirement for the race.

After the restart, the order remained the same and drivers were almost four seconds off their potential pace as they set about attempting to do 77 of the 78 laps on this set of tyres. Whilst there was some tactical intrigue, with Charles Leclerc having to keep the gap to George Russell behind him under 21 seconds to prevent Lando Norris having time for a free stop and fresh tyres and a chance to chase down the leaders in the closing laps of the race – the race as Ted Kravitz said was not a race, it was one of the most cynical processions in the modern era of racing in Monaco.

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Hamilton suggests more compulsory pit stops

The result of Charles Leclerc’s maiden victory in the town of his birth was of course was popular with the fans but when Lewis Hamilton was told many had called the race ‘boring’ he replied: “I can only imagine. 

“I mean ultimately, our tyres, they can do a whole race, too hard of [tyres] compounds here, we’ve got to find ways to spice it up. Maybe mandatory three stops or something to spice it up a bit more.”

Mandatory three stops might be taking it too far but TJ13 has over the years trailed against the red flag rule as it stands. Of course drivers and teams should be allowed a change of tyres for safety reasons, yet this should not count towards the mandatory single pit stop required in the current regulations.

Post race Lewis was bullish about Mercedes race weekend he started and finished the race in seventh while George led a team’s best finish of the year in fifth.

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Lewis sees Mercedes making progress

While Mercedes fortunes have plummeted this year, Hamilton believes there are signs of improvement over the recent F1 events.

“Ultimately I just try and give my all every weekend and give everything for this team. And I’m really so happy to see the team is bringing upgrades,” aid the seven times world champion.

“The last three races, we’ve had upgrades this weekend, George’s one was positive as well. So I’ll get that next week. Hopefully, over the next few races, we have some more we can try to push and close that gap.”

Mercedes problem has been one of two steps forward and one step back, meanwhile most of their rivals are making constant progress. Next up is Canada one of Hamilton’s favourite circuits and one where he was won more Grand Prix than any other driver.

Yet despite the troubles for Red Bull in Monaco, Lewis is unlikely to end his 51 race wins drought in Montreal, as the reigning F1 world champions will be on better form.

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Alpine earthquake, Schumacher back in F

In a dramatic turn of events at the Monaco Grand Prix, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon will face repercussions following a costly first lap collision with Formula One teammate Pierre Gasly. The incident, which took place at the iconic Portier corner, has not only drawn the ire of team principal Bruno Famin, but has also resulted in a significant penalty for Ocon. This could well be the opening for former F1 driver Mick Schumacher to return to the paddock, this time driving for the Alpine team.

The collision, which sent Ocon’s car into the air and ended his race prematurely, was deemed by the stewards to be the result of an overly ambitious overtaking attempt. As a result, Ocon was handed a 10-second penalty, which translates into a five-place grid drop for the upcoming race in Canada. The stewards’ statement was unequivocal: “It was clear to us that the collision was caused solely by an overly ambitious overtaking attempt from too far back.”   READ MORE