ChronicleMonaco F1 Grand Prix: does not pass the current

The rain began to fall between the protocol ceremonies in the presence of the prince family on the track and the formation lap of the event. Career management was able to delay the start.

But the rain caused a restless and completely unsynchronized ballet of mechanics to run down the small peat lane to get the grooved tires more suited to the conditions.

If the race management decides to postpone the start, it will wait for the storm cell to move and move away from the Monegasque rock. This is to present a career in the best possible conditions.

So it was decided, given the circumstances, that we would continue with a rolling start, and not a standing start, to reduce the risk of a pile-up that, in Monaco, is frightening to everyone. A standing start, deemed too dangerous on Sunday, creates extraordinary tension, which can be seen among drivers, in garages and on stands before red lights go out.

A standing start probably allowed Max Verstappen to surprise his teammate Sergio Pérez, who started next to him from the second row of the grid, in the first corner, and to get closer to the Ferrari drivers.

No initial introduction, definitely frustrating. In Monaco, the start is often the most intense moment of the race, as overtaking is very difficult and the 78-lap event very quickly becomes a procession of cars. In 2021, there will be no overruns. Zero.

In 2001, Scotsman David Coulthard at McLaren stumbled more than 30 laps on Enrique Bernoldi’s slower Arrow, but the Brazilian covered all his angles to close all the doors on the raging Scotsman under his helmet.

But back in 2022. The public had to wait 65 minutes on Sunday to see single-seaters fly in the back of the safety car. A long wait in the rain for many.

In the audience gathering with bleachers, there were rock microclimate experts who probably spoke to the fisherman that morning and were carrying raincoats and umbrellas, and tourists (F1 enthusiasts or just curious) who hadn’t planned anything to protect themselves from the rain and who bathed.

It’s nice to be in Monaco, bathe in the crowded bleacher, it’s not the best way to keep the good memories of your stay at the Principality.

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But there is something worse. The rain caused a power outage that affected the electronic signage system at the start line and in the pits. The weakness of the system forced the direction of the race to react. Have you ever wondered if in the seconds before leaving there was a power outage? It’s better not to think about it.

There is no question of starting the grand prix in uncertain security conditions. Especially since the drivers didn’t make a lap in the rain over the weekend.

Commentators live on television, but not necessarily aware of the electrical problems affecting the system put in place, were impatient and criticized the organization’s lack of response. Many have planes to catch up at night, and are worried about not arriving at the airport on time. The race started at 4:05 pm local time and ended two hours later (after completing 64 of the 78 laps).

In addition, this last weekend of May, there was on the other end of the world another equally prestigious car race scheduled, the 500 miles of Indianapolis.

Americans call it modest The Best Racing Show (the greatest spectacle in motor racing), and we had to watch in Indianapolis with a smile people running in all directions in the flooded pits of Monaco.

Above all, the two tests should not overlap. It was a nightmare for the television channels that got the rights to the two championships.

The future of the Monaco Grand Prix

This Monaco Grand Prix started in the worst possible situation. However, the rain has to cause this chaos as the future of the event takes place behind the impressive scenes of the Principality.

In fact, the Monaco Grand Prix is ​​in the final year of its contract with F1 and FOM (Formula One Management), and its possible renewal seems unclear. Another dollar question.

The Monaco Grand Prix enjoys a special place on the calendar because of its prestige and history. In 2022, the 79th edition of the car’s grand prix was presented, and the 69th edition of the F1 Grand Prix.

Monaco has been organizing motor racing since 1929, before the creation of the F1 World Championship as we know it today, which has existed since 1960, or 62 years.

Monaco is one of three events that make up the triple crown, a pure title honor, along with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It was a (imaginary) crown that very few pilots could handle. Only Britain’s Graham Hill got there (when he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1972 after winning the other two events in the 1960s).

Now, only two drivers can cap it, it’s the Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who races in F1, and the Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who races in IndyCar.

Alonso won at Monaco in 2006 and 2007 and at Le Mans in 2018 and 2019. He participated in the Indianapolis 500 twice (8th in 2020). Montoya won at Monaco in 2003, Indianapolis in 2000 and 2015, and finished 7th at Le Mans in 2018.

Because of its historical value and prestige, Monaco has negotiated a commercial agreement with F1 at an unbeatable annual rate. An annual rate now estimated at 15 million US dollars, which is lower than the current average ($ 32 million).

Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan pay an annual amount of $ 55 million, Bahrain pays $ 45 million, Hungary $ 40 million, Canada $ 30 million, Mexico and Brazil $ 25 million.

The holder of the rights to F1, the American consortium Liberty Media, is less sensitive to the beauty of Monaco in its beautiful setting, and seems to want to combine F1 with the dollar.

Some circuits that are part of F1 history, such as Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, are in danger of disappearing from the calendar in favor of new destinations, new countries capable of extending dollars, even if it means turning a blind eye to obstacles. on human rights.

Faced with countries that could pay an annual fee of $ 50 million or more, what will the Principality of Monaco do? Rock has invested in its racing circuit facilities, and intends to continue this tradition, but at what cost?

” There is a bit of negotiation to be done, but I am very confident. “

Discussions are ongoing, and I will also personally see the bosses of Liberty Media to talk to them, Prince Albert II explained in the French newspaper The team. I think we will succeed. I’m sure here. Of course, this will not be done under the conditions of the past. This is completely normal. You have to accept that.

But what about interest in sports?

Drivers did not hesitate to say that the circuit was no longer suitable for F1 today. Max Verstappen said this type of circuit would not have a chance to qualify for an F1 event today. Lewis Hamilton said the circuit was too bumpy in 2022. Sebastian Vettel said with a large 18-inch rim wheel it was very hard to see in tight corners.

In fact, the new 2022 F1s are more sensitive to the roughness of the rails, and this year’s tires have 18-inch rims. Until 2021, F1 wheels will have 13-inch rims.

Can the circuit fit in F1? It is impossible to widen the track to encourage overtaking, it is impossible to change the route and it is impossible to give more space to teams working in very difficult conditions because space is limited. Teams behind the grid are particularly suffering from lack of space.

So, how to combine F1 and Principality in the future? Can F1 fit into the Monegasque circuit? The speed in the pit lane is now limited to 60 km/h, unlike 80 km/h elsewhere, but other than that, the teams ’belts have been tightening for three days, and they are mainly crossing their fingers. that nothing serious will not happen.

Mick Schumacher’s violent exit from the track in the Rainier III Pool sequence, which cut the car in two, once again showed that danger is not far from Monaco. Fortunately, he didn’t drag any competitor to his misfortune and to the Tecpro barrier.

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If there is to be an 80th edition in 2023, the FIA, which oversees the sporting side of F1, will require the ACM to make sure circuit facilities are completely safe, with no new risk of power failure, even in bad weather. .

Can the Principality of Monaco decide to do without F1? Obviously it doesn’t need F1 to attract its wealthy clients.

After investing in its circuit facilities, ACM has been presenting a Formula E event since 2015, every other year, and since 2021 on the same circuit as used by F1.

There is also the historic grand prix that has existed since 1997, which is also contested every two years, and is still very popular on the rock.

The American consortium Liberty Media seems to want to clean up new territories (as long as the dollars follow), as evidence of the arrival on the calendar of Saudi Arabia in 2021, Miami in 2022, Qatar in 2023.

The Principality of Monaco has done everything in its power to suit the demands of F1, and if Prince Albert II felt in the discussions that Liberty Media was just looking for its pockets, he could choose to leave F1 and bet on Formula E, a booming FIA championship, that will gain prestige there.

The Monaco Grand Prix existed before F1, and could have survived the start of F1. And if F1 leaves the back streets of Monte-Carlo, many in the F1 community will breathe a sigh of relief.