Is the iconic Monaco circuit set for a revamp? What ACM chief Michel Boeri has to say

No Formula 1 qualifying session is more thrilling than the final practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix. Securing pole position at the most prestigious of all Grands Prix is considered half the battle when it comes to victory in the Principality. It is breathtaking to watch the drivers perform a millimetre-precise balancing act between the kerbs.

Often, however, fans have witnessed World Championship races on the Mediterranean coast that belong more to the ‘Formula Yawn’ category than to Formula 1. That is why there is constant discussion about whether the layout of this iconic circuit should be changed to encourage better racing.

The fact is: anyone proposing a circuit layout like Monte Carlo’s today would be rebuffed by the FIA, the world motorsport governing body. The track is far too narrow, the cars far too wide, and overtaking is virtually impossible.

Since 1950, the layout of this historic Mediterranean circuit has hardly changed; the most significant modifications were made at the harbour chicane, by the swimming pool and on the section from Rascasse to the final corner before the start-finish line, the Antony Noghès.

It is hard to imagine that one day there will no longer be a Formula 1 race in Monte Carlo; this Grand Prix is regarded as the most prestigious of them all. When the weather is right, the yachts bob lazily in the harbour and stars from the worlds of entertainment and sport exude glamour, Monaco’s charm is unrivalled.

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Grey skies and rain produce some of the craziest Grands Prix. But we’ve also seen races where the World Championship round has simply resembled a very fast motorcade, with almost no overtaking manoeuvres.

Couldn’t that be changed? Ferrari star Charles Leclerc, who was born and raised in Monaco: “When we come from Mirabeau through Loews to the Portier bend, why not turn left there and create a long straight? We could do a loop before heading back towards the tunnel. I just don’t know how we’d go about implementing that in detail.”

According to Michel Boeri, head of the Monegasque Automobile Club (ACM), there is no need for this either. Boeri told the newspaper Nice-Matin: “The circuit will not be changed, contrary to what I’ve heard from many people. Demolishing or relocating this section would automatically trigger a new review of the circuit and require a new FIA homologation.”

ACM-Chef Michel Boeri

Foto: XPB

The Monegasques’ current contract runs up to and including the 2025 race. Boeri continued: “Formula 1 promoter Liberty Media isn’t here out of the goodness of its heart. They’re here to make money. And we’re here to give them as little as possible and do as much as we can ourselves. It’s a simple, fair competition in an open market.”

“Our American friends have realised just how responsive we can be. Unlike those who still criticise Monaco – and would do well to update their way of thinking – we have agreed that the Grand Prix is a major draw for Formula 1. We didn’t want to be constantly plagued by the question of whether a kerb had two or three corners too many.”

To alleviate the overtaking problem, mandatory pit stops were introduced in Monaco – which led to some drivers driving extra slowly to give their team-mate space for this tyre change just before the pit stop, without losing a place. A complete failure.

In 2027, the Monaco Grand Prix weekend will take place in the sprint format for the first time. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s reasoning: if the Monaco qualifying session is already so exciting, why not have two of them?