Why was the date of the Monaco Grand Prix changed during the extra time?

Despite all its prestige and history, the Monaco Grand Prix has never been truly serene about its future in recent times. It is difficult to imagine parting with such a monument, but the Formula 1 still demanded certain conditions from the promoters of the event so that it could continue over time.

The extension signed in September 2022 confirmed this trend with a new contract going “only” until 2025. Happy to see the event still on the programme, Christian Horner nevertheless suggested that changes needed to be made to ensure a better show.

« Monaco is Monaco. The race is on the calendar mainly because of its history, but the problem is that the cars are so big today that the possibilities have diminished even more., raised the main team of Red Bull a little over a year ago, tired of these almost tasteless Sundays. If there was just one space to overtake, it would change everything. We need to create a braking zone, maybe by extending the circuit and including a hairpin. That would be phenomenal! Its history makes the Grand Prix a joyous place in the crown, but the sport continues to evolve. »

No extension but a new date

The project, dating from 1971, of an extension of the circuit had then been put back on the table. The idea of ​​this was then to take the boulevard du Larvotto at the level of the Portier roundabout and return by the boulevard Princesse.

At first glance, this was not mentioned during this latest contract extension, made official on Thursday, November 14, lasting until 2031. On the other hand, another question was at the center of the debates between F1 and the Automobile Club de Monaco, that of the date.

Usually held on the last weekend of May, the Monaco Grand Prix has been pushed back to later in the season. From 2026, it will take place on the first weekend of June. A simple detail at first glance but one that has real importance at a time when Formula 1 and Liberty Media are looking to regionalize their calendar.

By postponing the Monaco classic by a week, this allows the governing bodies to free up a slot earlier in the year for - ideally - to place the Canadian Grand Prix, traditionally held around mid-June. Thus, they could organize the Miami and Montreal races one after the other in May before the grid enters a sort of European “mega tour” from June to September. Logical from a logistical point of view while the Canadian event appears to be a thorn in the side concerning the organization.

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