“It’s one of the crown jewels of our sport,” Lewis Hamilton urges FIA to keep Monaco GP in the calendar

“It’s one of the crown jewels of our sport,” Lewis Hamilton urges FIA to keep Monaco GP in the calendar

Formula 1 has a rich history and has been visiting a lot of the same venues for numerous year. The sport enters in long term contracts with certain venues due to the racing prospects and popularity it offers. An example of such an infamous race is the Monaco Grand Prix. This track remains one of the oldest racing events in Europe. Formula 1 first visited this town back in 1929.

Monaco Grand Prix

Recently, Formula 1 has witnessed a massive growth in short period of time. This popularity is mainly the derivative of the Netflix show, Drive To Survive. This has translated into the sport entering new markets and racing at new venues. Three races in the United States were added to the next year’s calendar recently and it is also speculated that sport will visit Africa to host a Grand Prix. These additions to the calendar come at the cost of historic circuits, such as the Monaco Grand Prix.

Monaco Grand Prix : The Crown Jewel Of Formula 1 says Lewis Hamilton

Streets Of Monte Carlo

The streets of Monte Carlo host the Monaco Grand Prix. For years this street circuit has provided extreme races as the drivers have no margin for error. A slight mistake can cost the driver to retire from the race. Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton commented about the race, saying “I mean, it’s one of the crown jewels of our sport. So I’m not really sure it would be great to lose it.”

In past, Monaco Grand Prix has received criticism for the track not providing a lot of racing action due to less overtaking possibilities. Formula 1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali also suggested that historical status of a race is not enough to protect its position on the sport’s calendar. Lewis Hamilton defended the circuit by adding “There are good bits… I guess that the difficult part is that the racing itself is not that spectacular. But everyone that goes enjoys it. It is a prime location.”

Currently, the Monaco Grand Prix is in its last year of contract with Formula 1. The sport goes to Monte Carlo from 27-29th May with the modern Formula 1 cars domineered by ground effect. The addition of new venues definitely is a step in right direction for the sport, but if it means losing out on tracks like Monaco, then it would be a huge statement by Formula 1.

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