There has been talk in recent weeks of the possibility of the race leaving the schedule, and some sources suggest that teams have already been told that 2023 is likely to happen.
Monaco has survived over the decades with a generously low racing accommodation rate that was agreed upon in the Bernie Ecclestone era.
Liberty Media has become increasingly frustrated with Monaco’s seemingly guaranteed good treatment at a time when there is no shortage of candidates willing to pay much larger sums to join the calendar.
In addition, Monaco has always retained the right to create the television show and to fill the circuit with its own sponsors, some of whom clash with the main F1 partners.
It includes TAG Heuer, a direct rival of the key sponsor of the Rolex F1.
Stefano Domenicali’s recent statement to the teams about the regionalization of the calendar also made it clear that, regardless of any other issues, Monaco could be forced to change its traditional end-of-May date, possibly to allow Miami and Montreal they were attached.
This can also be seen as another attempt to pressure the Monaco Automobile Club to agree on a better deal for F1.
The favorite of the local public, Leclerc, insists that the race must be kept on the calendar.
“I think now would be a bad move for both parties,” he said. “I’ve never met Monaco without F1, except for COVID in 2020.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
“And F1 without Monaco for me is not F1. I think F1 has a history, it has some historical tracks like Silverstone, like Monza, and like Monaco as well, and I think they should stay on the calendar.”
Aside from trade issues, one of Monaco’s usual complaints is the lack of progress on a track that hasn’t changed in many years.
Asked about the possibility of modifying the route, Leclerc admitted that it could be difficult.
“Sometimes I thought about whether the advances would improve a lot,” he said. “I don’t know, maybe before the tunnel you can go left and make a big straight. But how feasible is that?
“I’m not sure. Of course, moving forward is difficult, but I think what we all like as riders is the challenge, especially in qualifying to do this lap, just push.
“There’s no track that comes close to the adrenaline rush we have in Monaco, and for me it’s part of F1 history and I should stay in F1.”
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