Monaco GP

[The Stig]

Is it about time the Monaco GP was removed from the F1 calendar. Agreed it is a good TV spectacle but the teams hate it's cramped spaces and facilities. The arguments I anticipate for keeping it on the calendar can equally be applied to such places as Silverstone and Imola both of which are apparently under review. With new circuits such as Shanghai and Moscow seemingly destined to be new additions, why shouldn't it be Monaco that loses out? F1 might benefit from a full season of GP's at circuits similar to Sepang for example. Places like Spa (politics aside), Suzuka, Silverstone and Monza should be the first names Bernie pencils in. Monaco now is a corporate junket with racing secondary.

[Ann]

You can't beat it for atmosphere though - I'd love to go again!

[Claw]

How can you remove this classic event from the championship! :mad:

We've already lostr Spa and possible Imola, Monaco is a great track and I always look forward to that GP more than any other!
It's just unique.

[Ed- the MG fan]

I really love this circiut, it the brands of F1

I bet you that Fisi woundn't be to happy. He's already lost his favorite Spa, and he's always raving on about Monaco


It will also be great to see the one lap qualifying in Monaco too

[The Stig]

Ann, would love to go too. Unfortunately my current mortgage is paying for the house. My point is, in a hard nosed business such as F1, with seemingly no room for sentiment, circuits have the threat of losing their GP for seemingly innocuous reasons. Muddy carparks at Silverstone one wet spring I recall, and poor transport links. For sure the race will not be too thrilling and will probably be won in the pits or by the pole sitter. The FIA are finally thinking about things and trying to move forward in different ways, why not consider this move ? Agree, qualifying should be entertaining.

[bramble]

I expect the teams would have something to say about loosing Monaco, i expect its where they do most of their corporate entertaining.

It also provided a unique set of challenges for the car. If every track ended up completely smooth with clinical lines, i'm sure it would get less interesting.

[cos]

Monaco has by far the worst pit facilities in the F1 calendar yet it keeps its place... Monaco, along with Ferrari, is one of the defining images of F1. It should be kept on the calendar for variety if nothing else, the last thing I would want to see is a whole season of flat, boring, Herman Tilke designed tracks :(

[The Stig]

Might be in a minority of one by the looks here. Long may the corporate guests who no little about F1 enjoy their weekends then. I'll settle for some entertaining qualifying and the same sort of race as the previous few on TV. Hope the Brits enjoy better luck in the forthcoming race. Although Coulthard must be the only one who's been round there before surely.

[Ann]

Stig - that's what my mortgage is doing too! I went to Monaco on a day trip courtesy of Autosport a coule of years ago so I didn't have to take out a massive loan to pay for it!

Cos - the pit facilities should soon be much better with the work they are doing.

[Les]

I had to laugh that the clios paddock was an underground car park. Just imagine the smell and fumes and they were sleeping and eating in there. Mind you they had a marvellous view of the track from the roof!

[The Stig]

Ann, you lucky lady. I think I understand now, you don't need to sell the children into slavery and acquire three part time jobs to be able to afford the weekend at Monaco. You could perhaps forgive my cynicism, from the little I see on TV, the whole week-end appears to be full of posey types going brown on huge yachts in the harbour. Many of whom are "enjoying" their first and last exposure to F1.