David Coulthard urges F1 to ‘keep anchor to the past’ and retain Monaco GP for the future

David Coulthard emphasized on the importance of the Monaco GP on the F1 calendar.

David Coulthard urges F1 to ‘keep anchor to the past’ and retain Monaco GP for the future

David Coulthard(via IMAGO)

David Coulthard talked about the Monaco GP which has been on the F1 calendar for a very long time. Coulthard expressed his hope that it stays in F1 because of the history it has portrayed over the years. Over the past few years, there have been a lot of discussions about whether the Monaco race should stay on the Formula 1 calendar or not. The former Red Bull driver expressed his opinion on this.

David Coulthard expressed concern about the direction the sport was taking. He was worried that the sport was moving away from its rich history and the legendary figures who had shaped it. The 53-year-old felt the sport prioritized new, modern tracks by Hermann Tilke over respecting traditional circuits and legendary drivers. Coulthard believed this shift could weaken what made the sport special. He argued that the unique stories and experiences from the past should be remembered instead of focusing only on new tracks and a shiny image.

Removing all of that amazing history from some of the true greats of the sport, that have defined why many of us love it, and turning up at a nice new Herman Tilke designed facility in some new territory with a press office and everything nice and shiny.
David Coulthard told PitDeBrief.com
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Further, Coulthard pointed out that everyone has connections to their history, like through their grandparents and great-grandparents. Many people take DNA tests to discover their heritage, often finding surprising connections, such as being part American or Indian. He believed that having ties to the past is essential for understanding and appreciating the sport. DC said these links serve as an important anchor that helps to define the sports value and meaning.

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But we have links to our past through our grandparents, our great-grandparents. We do these DNA tests to then go: ‘Ooh I’m part American Indian’. I think having links to the past is an important anchor of what this sport is.
David Coulthard added

David Coulthard reveals challenges of racing at Monaco for F1

David Coulthard expressed that over the time racing cars have become heavier and wider. He stated that the car’s width was manageable on track back then. But now that the width has increased while the track remains the same, it has become more challenging. The size of the cars impacted how easily drivers could navigate the circuit, especially in tight corners or during overtaking. DC stated this was particularly evident on narrow tracks like Monaco, where space was limited. However, making it difficult for drivers to pass each other safely.

What happened is that the cars have got heavier and wider. If you have the same width of track, and you put bigger cars on it, then that’s definitely going to make it a bit more tricky.
David Coulthard stated
Lando Norris Monaco GP 2023
Lando Norris Monaco GP 2023 (via IMAGO)

Coulthard mentioned the number of uncertainty that happened in F2 and F3 compared to F1. However, he highlighted that this is expected at Monaco. The narrow and twisty Monaco track often makes it difficult for drivers to pass each other, which is a common challenge in Monaco. Despite the limited overtaking opportunities, the unique atmosphere and history of Monaco continue to play a crucial role in the excitement of the races held there.

I’m not sure how many overtakes there were in F3 and F2. But again, it’s part of Monaco.
David Coulthard added

Certainly, David Coulthard believed that the track itself is not to blame for the difficulty in overtaking; instead, the wider cars and new technology are responsible for the issue. He noted that Monaco has been a crucial part of F1 history, as it hosted the first Grand Prix even before F1 was officially introduced.

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