The Monaco Grand Prix returns this weekend for what could be the most important running in the event's history. Its spot as the jewel in F1's crown has come under threat in recent years as the sport places focus on more exciting racing action as well as the increasing trend to take races to global destinations for street races. But the introduction of Las Vegas later this year will likely be Monaco's biggest concern with a view to safeguarding its future on the schedule. Here's why.
Sin City threat
F1's move to add Las Vegas to the calendar provides the sport with an opportunity to immerse itself in the glitz and glamour of Sin City. The race will be held at night with cars battling down the Strip as the world-famous hotels illuminate the backdrop. In many ways, the race is a modern interpretation of the Monaco Grand Prix in a new, emerging market for the sport. This will cause concern for those who hold the Principality close to their hearts. After all, the race is almost synonymous with F1 - much like Ferrari. It feels you can't have one without the other. Yet as F1 moves towards fan pleasure with its various innovations in recent years since the incredible success of the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive , the lack of overtaking has become an issue for the race. Cars have become longer and wider in modern F1, creating an impossibility for drivers no matter how much faster their car or tyres may be at a given point of proceedings. This has placed focus on Saturday and effectively turned the event into a 'qualifying' race. Speaking last year after the announcement of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton said: "It's one of the crown jewels of our sport. So I'm not really sure it would be great to lose it. "There are good bits… I guess that the difficult part is that the racing itself is not that spectacular." Daniel Ricciardo added: "I'm not sure it provides the ultimate viewing experience on a Sunday but the weekend experience, and just everything that is Monaco, is special and unique. "Winning it or not, going there as an F1 driver and having that and experiencing all the emotions that go with competing in Monaco, it's unique. "I'm very, very happy to have that, and have experienced that in my career. I guess I would wish the next generation to also experience that because it is special." There is plenty of support for the race from inside the paddock and those fans who hold heritage as a core pillar of the sport, but will that be enough?
Baku a cause for concern
A look at the calendar will show street races in Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Miami, Singapore and Las Vegas. Monaco's claim to fame as one of the few street circuits is now out of the window and in turn means the heritage is one of the races last saving graces. Whilst the race must be preserved, it will need a strong weekend ahead of Las Vegas' bow later this year to ensure any heat is cooled on the organisers. A repeat of last year's wet race could help pique intrigue for those craving non-stop action, but the cries of discontent in the wake of the Baku Sprint weekend point to what could be an uncomfortable week following this year's Monaco GP. Let's hope the race can underline its value to the sport when the cars hit the track on Friday.
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