Formula 1’s crown jewel is here to stay. The Monaco Grand Prix has
officially extended its agreement with the Automobile Club de Monaco
(ACM), locking the Principality’s iconic street race onto the calendar
until at least 2035. The deal secures another decade of glamour,
high-stakes drama, and historic moments in Monte Carlo.
The
announcement, made Friday 5th September, ends years of uncertainty that
saw short-term renewals and tense negotiations over hosting fees,
limited overtaking, and television production rights. With this
extension, Monaco now holds one of the longest contracts in F1, joining
Madrid, Bahrain, Australia, Miami and Austria in securing its future
well into the next decade.
ACM President Michel Boeri called the
deal “a reaffirmation of our commitment to delivering an exceptional,
unmatched and world-renowned race weekend,” while thanking Prince Albert
II for his decisive role in moving talks forward. The Prince himself
welcomed the extension, stressing Monaco’s “deep attachment” to the
tradition and its unique place in global motorsport. F1 President
Stefano Domenicali echoed the sentiment, describing the race as “an
iconic event loved by all drivers and fans.”
The news follows a turbulent period in which Monaco’s place on the
grid was often questioned. A six-year deal signed in 2024 initially
stabilized matters, but this new four-year add-on finally provides the
long-term security organizers were seeking.
Last year’s race
produced history when local hero Charles Leclerc claimed a landmark
first home victory for a Monegasque driver in the World Championship
era. This year, however, a controversial two-pit-stop rule overshadowed
McLaren’s Lando Norris’s win, with drivers and fans alike dismissing the
format as ineffective. Despite criticism, the rule will return in 2026
as organizers push for more strategic intrigue.
One key change is
already set: the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix will shift to 5–7 June, avoiding
a clash with the Indianapolis 500 and streamlining F1’s European
schedule.
With its future secured, Monaco now has over a decade to
continue blending sport, spectacle and prestige like nowhere else in
the racing world.
No comments:
Post a Comment