By Marcella Nadya
To give background of this iconic street race track, the first race of the Monaco GP was in 1950. This track’s length is 3.337km featuring 78 laps. It’s the only track that doesn’t comply with the FIA’s specified 305km minimum race distance as it’s only 260.286km. Many people, including the drivers and teams, argue that Monaco GP is boring.
First off, let’s define boring in an F1 race. Does it count as boring if there’s no overtaking or crashes? Calling the race dull would ignore other features that set Monaco apart, even while it is true that overtaking is practically impossible on the narrow streets of Monaco. Overtaking opportunities sure are very slim, but never zero. This is the thrilling part of the race where drivers have to push their cars to the maximum to overtake and seize every opportunity without making even a minor error that could lead to ending up on the wall. Record has it that in 2003 and 2021 there were no overtakes taken.
Meanwhile, in 2024, where Charles Leclerc finally won his home race, the top 10 finished exactly as they started. In Monaco GP, there is no space for error due to the tight layout, which frequently results in crashes that cause strategic chaos. A driver’s weekend could end unexpectedly by a single little slip in the race given that precision is essential. Take an example at the massive crash during the 2025 F2 Feature Race, where 11 cars piled up in T1 which completely ruined the race. So, is Monaco truly boring or is it simply exciting in a different way?
Monaco is the essence of F1. We don’t have to necessarily get rid of a race everyone should love. It would be such a shame to lose a big event that brings so much money and attention to the sport. This year’s implementation of the two required pit stops is a great start. The race has already seen slight differences as a result. For instance, the two Mercedes drivers thoughtfully controlled their tires during the 2025 Monaco GP as Russell pitted on lap 65 and 71, while Antonelli did it on lap 72 and 74. Verstappen, however, hoped for a miracle and postponed his second pit stop until the final lap. This made the race more interesting because we’re left curious on each driver’s strategy.
Verstappen and Norris on Monaco Mission
Ultimately, improvements are needed on the streets of Monaco to ensure that the F1 world does not lose its iconic, historical, and prestigious Grand Prix. There are many options that can be considered, such as changing the layout or perhaps adding speed limits in certain areas. The FIA has new regulations for the cars starting from 2026. Cars are expected to be smaller and lighters with some new features. While these changes are intended to enhance racing and overtaking dynamics, Monaco’s distinctive circuit layout may still provide difficulties in overtaking unless the track itself undergoes a dramatic redesign because balance between cars and track is needed. Even so, these car developments represent a positive step forward. In conclusion, Monaco deserves to remain on the race calendar because it symbolises true racing in F1.
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