The race in Monaco is traditionally a spectacle. But only thanks to the scenery and the many celebrities. In terms of sport, the whole thing is more reminiscent of a procession or a permanent safety car phase. The event (from Friday, May 26th, 2023, all sessions in the live ticker at sportschau.de) no longer seems up to date.
The actual race takes place on Saturday from 4 p.m., although there are no overtaking maneuvers there either. It’s qualifying. Anyone who has turned the fastest lap here at the end has to be pretty clumsy or have a really bad pit strategy to (Race start at 3 p.m) not being allowed to be the first to open the champagne bottle. Because overtaking is almost impossible here.
Slowest curve of the year
Formula 1 is now chugging through the Principality for the 69th time. Right from the start in 1950, the premier class was a guest on the Côte d’Azur. In the previous year, however, the discussion grew as to whether this street circuit show still has a future.
Graphic of the Formula 1 circuit in Monte Carlo
The big harbor tour from Boulevard Albert 1er via Avenue d’Ostende, Avenue de Monte-Carlo, past the casino, past the harbor of course, through the tunnel under the Fairmont Hotel, the famous one follows shortly after the swimming pool Rascasse curve – there are a total of 18 hairpin bends over the 3.337 kilometres. Turn 6 at the Grand Hotel Hairpin is driven in first gear, it is the slowest passage in the entire Formula 1 year, the “Rascasse” is similar in speed.
“Like helicopters fly in the living room”
“Driving in Formula 1 in Monaco is like flying a helicopter in your living room”, once thought the three-time world champion Nelson Piquet. Ex-driver Marc Surer said in a talk on the “formel1.de” portal: “Doing a race where you can’t overtake is nonsense. The track is no longer up to date.”
Since Formula 1, under the leadership of the American media group Liberty Media, has included the new street circuit in Saudi Arabia, as well as Miami and Las Vegas, in the calendar, the competition for Monaco has become even greater, but on September 20 of the previous year it came Good news for the organizers: Despite all the concerns, the contract was extended by another three years, so the line of celebrities and yachts will sail here until at least 2025.
Sporting requirements not recognizable
The head of the Monegasque Automobile Club, Michel Boeri, had previously promised to discuss reforms. But little or nothing happened. Many experts like Marc Surer had wished for an extension of the course, finally one or two passages where overtaking is possible.
From the statement by Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali after the conclusion of the new deal (“We look forward to returning to the famous roads of the Principality next year“) there was not a word that Monaco had imposed any conditions to increase its sporting value.
Sunbathing on the yacht – A typical picture at the Formula 1 race in Monte Carlo
Maybe sunbathing in the shadow of a celebrity is enough
But maybe that is not what you want. Apparently it’s enough for the bosses in the racing circus if they can sunbathe for a weekend once a year in the beautiful setting and in the shade of the many celebrities. Overtaking is only possible again at the beginning of June at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona-Montmeló.