Does Monaco have a place in the f1 calendar?
Discussion
It depends upon your view as to the purpose of F1, if F1 is primarily a sport where drivers race each other round a track then no, Monaco has no place on the calendar, if however the purpose of F1 is a) to make money for Bernie et al, and b) to serve as a marketing tool to help the manufacturers sell cars, then yes, Monaco is an ideal venue.
Eric Mc said:
I love Monaco - just for the spactacularness of the place. The opening shots of the film Grand Prix hooked me into the place as an 8 year old back in 1967 and I still love the fact that the circuit is still largely recognisable from that era. Long may it continue.
You're arguing to keep a track on the current, modern F1 calendar purely for the sake nostalgia?I respect your views on most things, Eric, but in this instance I most certainly disagree with you and, based on your argument, I'd suggest you're wrong.
I have no doubt that as an event its unbeatable - a showcase for all the shiny people of the world and (as already mentioned) an awful lot of business is done in the GP week - lots of corporate events going on
However, as an actual motor race, it has to be pretty near the bottom of the list
However, as an actual motor race, it has to be pretty near the bottom of the list
It won't ever be gone. The teams won't stand for it, the Sponsors won't stand for it and I'm not sure the drivers would either. It may be a 'bad' track but it's one that demands absolute concentration from the drivers for the whole race. I doubt Bernie could get rid of it even if he wanted to. The track pays no hosting fee to the FIA or Bernie at all, the only track to not pay anything. It's not like Bernie could price them out of the race. It's here to stay.
If you were designing a "new F1" championship from scratch then Monaco wouldn't have a place. However, F1 is as much about the racing now as it is about the history and in that context Monaco does have a place. I suspect Monaco is the place that the sponsors see the best return on their investment and without sponsors, F1 is dead.
Yes it does, 'racing' goes far deeper than just banging door handles (appreciating there are no doors on F1 cars..)
Said it before and I'll no doubt say it again: If you want gratuitous overtakes and punting people into the scenery every 2nd corner, there are plenty of lower formulae (eg touring cars) that fill that niche. IMHO they aren't 'racing' because it's contrived, but anyway..
F1 is a little bit more nuanced.
Said it before and I'll no doubt say it again: If you want gratuitous overtakes and punting people into the scenery every 2nd corner, there are plenty of lower formulae (eg touring cars) that fill that niche. IMHO they aren't 'racing' because it's contrived, but anyway..
F1 is a little bit more nuanced.
Pints said:
Eric Mc said:
I love Monaco - just for the spactacularness of the place. The opening shots of the film Grand Prix hooked me into the place as an 8 year old back in 1967 and I still love the fact that the circuit is still largely recognisable from that era. Long may it continue.
You're arguing to keep a track on the current, modern F1 calendar purely for the sake nostalgia?I respect your views on most things, Eric, but in this instance I most certainly disagree with you and, based on your argument, I'd suggest you're wrong.
I always enjoy Monaco and it has thrown up some cracking surprises over the year.
ewenm said:
If you were designing a "new F1" championship from scratch then Monaco wouldn't have a place. However, F1 is as much about the racing now as it is about the history and in that context Monaco does have a place. I suspect Monaco is the place that the sponsors see the best return on their investment and without sponsors, F1 is dead.
That rather depends upon who is putting together the championship schedule and what they're trying to achieve. There's often talk of new street circuits being added to the calendar, for instance Bernie would like to see races held in London and New Jersey, not because they would make for an exciting race but because of the location and the spectacle. Whether the fans like it or not (and I don't), F1 is first and foremost a business and the needs of the sponsors and manufacturers are perceived as being more important than those of the fans.This is a nice little film on the 1969 Monaco race.
It was famous for being the race that banned aerofoils (the big tall high-up ones). In fact, there's a throw away line by the commentator near the end, he says "aerofoils have been banned once and for all". I wish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FnyurCfTsQ
It was famous for being the race that banned aerofoils (the big tall high-up ones). In fact, there's a throw away line by the commentator near the end, he says "aerofoils have been banned once and for all". I wish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FnyurCfTsQ
swisstoni said:
Go to the Monaco GP and then you'll know.
This.What they should do is pop in a Tilkesque (and I almost can't believe I'm suggesting this!!) straight, followed by a hairpin, to double back.. Where would they put this?? Out across the harbour!! Then that would mean all of Monaco can remain but then you would guarantee some overtaking or at least an opportunity to overtake. Maybe from the corner just after the tunnel exit...
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