Why the Monaco Grand Prix Might Be the Most Outdated Race in Formula 1
“F*ck me this is boring, should’ve brought my pillow.” Max Verstappen’s blunt words summed up his sixth-place finish at this year's Monaco GP, where the entire top-10 grid finished in their starting positions for the first time in Formula 1 history. The once-celebrated and glamorous Monaco Grand Prix is now facing scrutiny over its inability to deliver the action-packed racing that F1 fans crave.
It wasn't always like this. Despite Charles Leclerc’s emotional maiden home victory, the event was largely a monotonous affair. Sergio Perez, Haas, and Alpine brought an early flurry of excitement with some chaotic scenes, but the tight, twisting streets of Monaco and the sizable, modern F1 cars ultimately produced a spectacle that lacked overtakes and suspense. Verstappen was left ruminating on possible solutions, suggesting track changes to improve the racing experience.
“First I would like to try to, if there are possibilities, change a few things. Because it’ll make the excitement even better,” Verstappen stated. “Overall the weekend is really cool, just the Sunday is a little bit boring unfortunately, but the scenery is still great. If we can find a way to race a bit better, why not? That would be my preferred solution.” The Dutchman’s sentiments echo a broader concern with a circuit layout that has remained largely unchanged for 70 years, while F1 cars have evolved drastically.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s Team Principal, voiced similar thoughts ahead of the race. He noted the increasing size and weight of modern F1 cars, calling them “too big” for the narrow streets of Monaco. “So that inevitably is going to cause issues. We race here because of the history, the heritage, and it’s a phenomenal venue with a great deal of prestige in winning this race,” Horner said. However, he was clear that improvements are necessary.
“But by and large, this race will be won tomorrow afternoon in qualifying. We should always be open to where can we improve. We either need to make the cars considerably smaller going forward for ’26, which isn’t really on the cards, or to have a really entertaining race, we ought to look at possibly opening up some areas that could create at least an overtaking opportunity. That’s something Formula 1 and I’m sure Monaco itself are aware of,” Horner added.
Historically, Monaco has not been known for its willingness to evolve. It is widely known that Monaco pays significantly less than other venues for the privilege of hosting an F1 race, relying on its status as an irreplaceable icon of the sport. Last year, Monaco finally surrendered TV direction duties to F1 itself – a sign that it struggles to keep up with modern GP hosting.
Other circuits, like Monza and Barcelona, have spent considerable sums to update their infrastructure in accordance with modern F1 standards. It could be time for Monaco to take a similar approach. Modest tweaks to the layout could secure its place on the calendar for the next seven decades. After all, even a historic venue needs to strike a balance between tradition and progress. A little compromise could go a long way in reviving the magic of Monaco and ensuring it’s not just a relic of the past but a cherished part of F1’s future.