One of the most classic and traditional venues for F1 races is undergoing major changes, which were first presented last Sunday (25). The Monaco Grand Prix had an unprecedented change in the format of the race, as a way to make things more interesting for the present public, as the race had been receiving harsh criticism from the audience and experts in the sport. After many decades with everything at the same way, F1 promises to surprise with this change. Check it out!
Why did the Monaco Grand Prix need to change?
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most important in F1, not only because it is one of the circuits with the most beautiful landscapes in a city that exudes elegance. Monaco is one of the oldest F1 GPs, as well as being one of the most difficult circuits. Despite that, the Monaco GP received many complaints from those who watched, calling it monotonous.
This is because, due to the structure of its tracks, it made overtaking almost impossible, making the race less dynamic than in other GPs. But in this scenario, the Monaco GP was always very predictable, with no room for major overtaking, the starting classification of the race defined what the podium would be like.
After a series of surveys, opinions from the sponsors, and mainly, popular pressure, F1 decided that the Monaco GP needed to change, and they’re up to bringing more entertainment to the race. F1 then began planning a series of changes to the circuit and the rules.
The most unexpected changes to the circuit and rules
The tunnels, winding and narrow tracks, and many ups and downs along the route make the Monaco venue such a historic place for F1 fans. But, it is exactly because of these track conditions that the Monaco GP needed to undergo changes.
The first and main change is in the circuit itself; the layout has undergone some physical interventions, such as the widening of some sections, especially in the very sharp curves. To make the race more exciting, F1 also created an extra specific zone that aims to help with acceleration, before the pit straight, increasing the chances of overtaking in different phases of the circuit. F1’s focus in this change is to alter the places that were analyzed as the most difficult for overtaking.
The most unexpected change to the Monaco GP was in its rules. For the first time in history, two pit stops are now mandatory along the circuit, and can be made at any time the driver and his team wish. Competitors were given specific tires, three different types, two regular and one for the rain, made of different materials.
What can you expect from the new era of the Monaco GP?
In a sport where you are racing against time, it seems like quite a challenge to adapt to changing track conditions, which will allow competitors to compete on equal terms, with mandatory pit stops and strategic points for acceleration.
We can expect more dynamic races, with more risky and decisive overtaking on the pit stop straight. If F1 continues on this path of innovation and more flexibility in its traditions, we can expect changes in other GPs. Expect a race that’s very different from what we’ve seen in the past.
Those who can attend will see a Monaco that was once traditional become one of the most unpredictable locations in the F1 Grand Prix, making it not only glamorous but also carrying the title as one of the most fun and exciting races, not just for the audience but also for the pilots.
