Monte Carlo (AP) – Mick Schumacher campaigned immediately before the Formula 1 race in Monaco for the classic to remain on the calendar. At the moment, the future of the Grand Prix in the Principality is still open. The contract ends this season. There is no new one yet.
But there is top-class international competition for a place in the Formula 1 World Championship. “It’s been part of Formula 1 for so long and it’s a historic track,” emphasized Mick Schumacher in an interview published by his Haas racing team. “It would be a shame to lose something that has been part of the sport for so many years.”
In 1950, the inaugural year of the Formula 1 World Championship, people were already driving on the narrow circuit. After a break, it continued annually from 1955. It was only the corona pandemic that caused another interruption when the 2020 race had to be cancelled. This weekend is the 68th race on the shortest circuit on the calendar – it is just 3.337 kilometers long. The drivers have to complete 78 laps.
With five victories, Mick Schumacher’s father Michael is one of the three most successful drivers on the circuit. Graham Hill also won five times, the Brazilian Formula 1 icon Ayrton Senna six times.
“It’s always been one of the big events you want to win,” said Mick Schumacher. It is not for nothing that victories in Monaco, at the Indy 500 and the long-distance classic 24 Hours of Le Mans are considered the triple crown of motorsport. Only Graham Hill has succeeded so far. “It would be a shame if this option were no longer available,” said 23-year-old Mick Schumacher: “It may not be my priority, but there are some drivers who are chasing after it.”