FORMULA ONE has agreed a £150million deal to keep the legendary Monaco race track on the calendar into the 2030s.
There had been rumours suggesting Monaco was under consideration to be AXED from the calendar.
However, earlier today it was announced Monaco would remain in F1 until at least 2031 after striking a new six-year deal.
The circuit has been an ever-present feature in the motorsport, with the track synonymous with the glitz and glamour associated with F1.
But, according to the Daily Mail, this new deal was only struck after organisers agreed to double their previous annual contribution to £25m a year.
A statement from F1 on the agreement said: “Formula 1 will continue to race around the streets of Monaco until 2031 inclusive, following a six-year extension to the existing agreement with the Automobile Club of Monaco (ACM) that runs through the 2025 season.
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“Part of the first Formula 1 World Championship calendar back in 1950 and present since 1955, the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most famous sporting events in the world and the ultimate test of concentration and skill for F1 drivers.
“Located on the banks of the French Riviera, the field must navigate the scenic streets of Monte Carlo, tackling the slowest corner on the F1 circuit, the Loews Hairpin, and the iconic Casino Square and Swimming Pool sections.
“Five of the current F1 grid sit alongside legends including Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda in having triumphed around the 3.3km circuit.
“Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have all won multiple times, alongside Sergio Perez and hometown hero Charles Leclerc – who created history this year when he became the first Monegasque to win the Grand Prix in F1 history.”
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The 2024 weekend was watched by a cumulative audience of 70 million fans worldwide.
Meanwhile, the race has also seen its date on the calendar moved.
In 2025 the weekend will be held on May 23-25, but from 2026 this will be pushed back to the first full weekend in June each year.
The last time the Monaco Grand Prix was raced in June came back in 2003 when Juan Pablo Montoya won for Williams, with McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen in second and Ferrari’s Schumacher in third.
The last full June weekend for Monaco was in 2000, when McLaren’s David Coulthard beat Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello and Benetton’s Giancarlo Fisichella.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “I’m delighted that Formula 1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031.
“The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and a famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning.
“I would like to extend a special thanks to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco and everyone involved in the extension of this important partnership.
“This agreement signals a new era of partnership and innovation between Formula 1 and Monaco.
“It is the future focused leadership of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco which will allow us to create an optimised calendar, which reduces pressure on logistics, and to decrease the environmental impact of our global championship, as we continue the path towards our Net Zero goal by 2030.”
As well as the race itself, Monaco is home to many stars on the F1 grid.
The F1 Monaco race also marks one-third of the coveted Triple Crown title, alongside winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Indianapolis 500, a feat only achieved by the legendary Graham Hill.
Aston Martin’s Alonso is the only active F1 driver close to the Crown, having won the 24 Hours Le Mans twice and two F1 championships.
Alonso has competed in the Indianapolis 500 three times, with his best finish being 21st in 2020.
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F1 will return for the final stretch of races this season on November 24, starting in Las Vegas.
It then heads to Qatar before concluding in Abu Dhabi across three consecutive weekends, with Verstappen in pole position to claim a fourth drivers title.
🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
