MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – MAY 24: Sergio Perez from Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on the track during practice before the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix at Circuit de Monaco on May 24, 2024 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Christian Horner, the boss of Red Bull Racing, has joined the chorus of voices calling for improvements to the Monaco Grand Prix to allow for more overtaking. The current Formula 1 cars are wide and heavy, leaving little room for overtaking maneuvers on the tight and twisty 3.3-kilometer street circuit. Horner voiced concerns about the size of the cars, stating that they are too big to navigate side by side through the streets. He urged Formula 1 to explore the possibility of opening up certain areas of the track to create more overtaking opportunities. Horner believes this is an issue that Formula 1 is well aware of and actively considering.
The Monaco Grand Prix holds a special place in the principality’s history, being part of its sporting heritage since 1929. The race is highly prized by drivers due to its iconic status and historical significance. Legendary drivers like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Graham Hill have achieved great success in Monaco, with Senna holding the record for wins at the circuit. The race has become synonymous with Monaco’s identity, alongside other iconic landmarks like the casino and the grand palace of Prince Albert. It continues to attract stars from the worlds of cinema and sports, who flock to Monaco during race weekends, adding glamour and prestige to the event.
Despite its prestige, the Monaco Grand Prix is not exempt from limitations. The narrow streets and tight corners make overtaking extremely difficult, leading to a lack of strategic maneuvers during the race. The most exciting moments usually occur during qualifying, where drivers have the opportunity to push their cars to higher speeds. However, the race itself often lacks excitement, with overtaking becoming a rare occurrence. This sentiment was echoed by Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, who expressed his desire for wider roads and a broader track in Monaco. Hamilton suggested that the race could benefit from introducing special tires that would require more pit stops, thus increasing variability and potentially leading to more overtaking opportunities. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. also shared his opinions, emphasizing the need to explore ways to create overtaking points within Monaco’s city layout.
