The future of the Monaco Grand Prix has long been a conversation topic amongst F1 fans and drivers alike. For many years, the twisty, narrow streets of Monte Carlo have delivered some of the sport's most iconic moments, with the venue still very much adored by many in the paddock. But, with the likes of Miami, Las Vegas and Singapore having now been added to the list of Formula 1's "glamour venues", the future of Monaco's race has been placed under the spotlight.
Monaco's F1 future has guarantees but no deal yet
McLaren boss Zak Brown recently called for Monaco to "work on ways they can adapt their track" to avoid processional races with few overtaking moves. He also demanded the hosts "come up to the same commercial terms as other Grands Prix", with Monaco's current deal seeing them pay just $15million in hosting fees, well down on Saudi Arabia's massive $50m deal. Despite there currently being no new deal in place for Monte Carlo to remain on the calendar, the President of the Automobile Club de Monaco, Michel Boeri, has offered guarantees that the race will happen beyond 2022. For now, though, the sport waits for an official announcement, whilst the likes of Pierre Gasly have led calls for the event to remain in place .
Ricciardo and Hamilton keen for Monaco to stay
Monaco winners Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo have now backed Gasly's view. The pair are open to new venues - such as Miami and Las Vegas - joining the calendar, but remain keen for F1 to remember its historic roots. "Monaco is special," said Ricciardo, speaking to members of the media, including RacingNews365.com . "The thing is, I love the addition of some of these new circuits and new cities that we're going to. I'm all for it, because it's new experiences and it's engaging another audience, which is fun and it keeps the sport growing. "I like sharing the sport with more of the globe and ultimately sharing our passion with more people. "I think, with that, you still want those core F1 venues and circuits such as Monaco, which is a special weekend."
Hamilton: It would not be great to lose Monaco
Speaking alongside Ricciardo, Hamilton added: "It's one of the crown jewels of our sports. I'm not really sure that it would be great to lose it. "There are good bits and I guess the difficult part is that the racing itself is not spectacular, but those that go enjoy it, it is a prime location." On Brown's suggestion that the circuit could be adjusted to promote more overtaking, Hamilton continued: "Adjusting the track is not easy because it's the second smallest country in the world. We don't have a lot of space there. "Many of us live in Monaco but it is just that icon status that it has, the history that it has, that is so appealing to drivers, but I think to those that are watching too."
Ricciardo wants the next generation to experience Monaco glory
Ricciardo is only one of five F1 current drivers - including Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen - to have tasted victory at Monaco. His win came back in 2018, two years on from the day that he suffered ultimate heartbreak when a slow pit-stop allowed Hamiton to pass him for P1. "I think the race is one of the most tricky circuits to overtake [on], so I'm not sure it provides the ultimate viewing experience on a Sunday, but the weekend experience and just everything that is Monaco. It's special and unique," he went on to say. "Winning it or not, I think going there as an F1 driver and having that and experiencing all the emotions that go with competing in Monaco, it's unique, and I'm very, very happy to have that and have experienced that in my career. "I would wish the next generation to also experience that, because it is special."
Most read
