You can’t race Formula 1 cars here

The Formula 1 track in the streets of Monaco is as historically significant as it is currently controversial. On the one hand, the street circuit is part of the premier class’s core repertoire and has been on the calendar since the 1950s with an almost unchanged route, but on the other hand, overtaking maneuvers have been practically impossible for decades. This has been especially true in recent years, when the cars have grown in length and width.

That’s why, almost every year, calls are made for something to be changed about the crown jewel of Formula 1 just in time for the Monaco GP. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner emphasized these demands again on Friday before this year’s race in the principality. He expects the Grand Prix to be free of overtaking. “By and large, this race will be decided in qualifying,” said Horner.

Christian Horner: The Formula 1 cars are too big for Monaco

“The cars are so big at the moment. They are probably too big to race on these streets because there is hardly room for two cars next to each other. That inevitably leads to problems,” said the Red Bull team boss. “With the current cars you have to be very lucky to be able to overtake,” he stressed.

Should Monaco be removed from the calendar? That doesn’t seem to be to Horner’s taste. “We race here because of the history, the heritage. It’s a phenomenal venue and there’s a lot of prestige in winning this race,” said the Briton. So other solutions must be found.

Only solution for the Monaco GP: new layout?

“Either we have to make the cars significantly smaller from 2026 onwards or, if we want to have an entertaining race, then we should look at the possibility of opening up some zones here that at least create an opportunity to overtake,” Horner said. In other words: change the course of the track.

The former will not happen with the new technical regulations, especially not to the extent that it would significantly improve racing in Monaco. “The cars [ab 2026] will have similar dimensions. So I don’t think overtaking would be much easier,” calculates the Formula 1 veteran

The latter has been a cause for discussion for years. There is hardly any place on earth that is as densely populated and built up as Monaco. Finding new race-ready roads that are directly connected to the existing layout is therefore not an easy task. Moreover, it would possibly damage the Monaco myth if the layout were to undergo too many changes. Curves such as Sainte Devote, Mirabeau or the Grand Hotel hairpin (formerly known as Loews) are part of the cultural heritage of the Formula 1.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc
The curves in Monaco are legendary, but they rarely offer overtaking maneuvers, Photo: LAT Images

Horner does not have any answers as to how the track can be specifically improved. But he does point out the urgency of changes: “To ensure that we continue to race here for the next 70 years, a certain amount of development is certainly needed.” And he adds: “I think Formula 1 is aware of this, and I am sure Monaco itself is too.”

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