A new six-year deal was signed for the Principality of Monaco to continue to host its iconic Grand Prix until at least 2031.

Racing began in the Principality in 1929, although the famous race first joined Formula 1 in 1950 and since 1955 the Circuit de Monaco has hosted a race each year since, with the exception of the Covid pandemic-affected 2020 season. Set in the French Riviera, the circuit showcases some of the most glamorous sights in the world, including Casino Square, and the world famous harbour housing multimillion pound superyachts.

Pressure, however, had been mounting about the race’s future legitimacy in recent years amid uncompetitive and, often, dull races. Wider racing cars used this century have made overtaking difficult on the circuit’s narrow track, while changes to the circuit would be difficult to achieve due to a lack of manoeuvrable space. This has impacted crowd sizes also, with the race weekend accepting significantly fewer fans than other races on the calendar.

Despite this, the race has grown in popularity, with the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix race weekend being watched by a cumulative worldwide audience of over 70 million. It was the most watched edition of the race in US history, and the third most-viewed F1 race of all time in the US.

It also holds a special significance to drivers as part of the Triple Crown: 24 Hours of Le Mans, Monaco Grand Prix and the Indy500. Graham Hill is still the only driver to achieve that feat.

In 2022, two years before his first win at his home race, Monégasque driver Charles Leclerc said dropping the Monaco Grand Prix from the calendar would be a "bad move".

“I’m delighted that Formula 1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1. “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.

Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco, added: “I would particularly like to thank H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Stefano Domenicali, and everyone involved in the extension of this contract.

“The Monaco Grand Prix is the most important sporting event here and continues to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators to the Principality and millions of global television viewers worldwide.”

The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix will take place from May 23-25 next year, before switching to early June from 2026 onwards.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Ferrari