Leclerc urges F1 against bad Monaco move
Leclerc urges F1 against bad Monaco move
Charles Leclerc feels F1 would be making "a bad move" if the Monaco Grand Prix was axed from the calendar.
With additional street circuits in Miami this year and Las Vegas next season joining the calendar, Monaco's future has been brought into sharp focus, not least given the fact it is a track on which you cannot overtake.
The renowned 'jewel in F1's crown' is in the final year of its current contract, with a new deal expected to be announced before the August summer break, although there have been suggestions it could be dropped.
But with Miami and Las Vegas on board, Monaco has been given a wake-up call as to what a street venue should offer in terms of delivering entertainment on and off track.
Asked as to whether F1 could exist without Monaco, the Ferrari driver who was born and raised in the principality, said: "It would be a bad move for both parties.
"I have never known Monaco without Formula 1 apart from for Covid reasons in 2020, and Formula 1 without Monaco, for me, is not Formula 1.
"Formula 1 has historic tracks like Silverstone, Monza and Monaco, too, and they should stay on the calendar."
Driver makes the difference in Monaco
Leclerc is adamant Monaco deserves its place on the calendar for the challenge it provides the drivers, which he feels no other F1 track can replicate.
"Overtaking is difficult but what we all love as drivers is the challenge in qualifying, just pushing to the limit," assessed Leclerc.
"There is no track that comes close to the adrenaline we get in Monaco and, for me, it is part of F1’s history and it should stay in Formula 1.
"Of course, we need to go to the best race tracks, and I really think Monaco is one of the best race tracks out there.
"In terms of qualifying, there is no place where I enjoy it as much as I do here, and as much as the driver can make a difference because the barriers are so close.
"You can feel the danger because you really have the sensation of speed, and in terms of qualifying it is probably the most exciting qualifying of the year.
"I agree that in the races there are things we could change here and there to improve overtaking because the cars have changed, evolved, and it might not be the best track to overtake.
"But in terms of a challenge for the driver, it is one of the toughest challenges for us throughout the year and a track like this should stay on the calendar."
Asked, though, how the circuit could improve to aid overtaking, after a lengthy pause, and recognising the challenges involved, Leclerc replied: "I've thought about it sometimes.
"Maybe before the tunnel you could go to the left and do a big straight there but how feasible it is, I'm not sure."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Wolff opens up on WHY Mercedes are 'very bad'
- 55 minutes ago
F1 winner Sainz shares RAW images from surgery and recovery
- 1 hour ago
Hamilton and Cullen F1 fairytale COULD happen as clues reveal how
- 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: Vettel CONFIRMS stunning comeback as Red Bull boss issues Verstappen statement
- Today 05:57
Hamilton fired serious warning by Wolff as F1 star takes aim at controversial FIA decision - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
F1's quirkiest star begins selling ICE CREAM in latest venture
- Yesterday 22:57
F1 Race Calendar
-
GP BAHRAIN
29 Feb - 2 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP SAUDI ARABIA
7 - 9 Mar
Max Verstappen
-
GP AUSTRALIA
22 - 24 Mar
Carlos Sainz
- GP JAPAN 5 - 7 Apr
- GP CHINA 19 - 21 Apr
- GP USA 3 - 6 May
- GP ITALY 17 - 19 May
- GP MONACO 24 - 26 May
Related news
F2/F3 Power Rankings - Verstappen Monaco display BEATEN by rising star
FIVE thing we learned from Monaco - as Mercedes find out their chances of 2023 wins
F1 MUST make these changes to SAVE Monaco or say goodbye to the 'crown jewel'
Marko makes ‘INCREDIBLE’ claim over Verstappen barrier contact during Monaco GP
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860