Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey has issued a warning to perspective Grand Prix venues regarding the design of their circuits as the fallout of the Monaco GP continues.
The sight of the fastest racing cars in the world hurtling around the fabled streets of Monte Carlo remains a remarkable one but after another largely processional race, calls have grown for changes with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso particularly outspoken.
It is often said that if the concept of a race in Monaco was put forward today nobody would agree and now that seems to have been confirmed with Carey identifying the key factors he will look for when considering future proposals.
“First, we want to make sure that it is great for a race,” he said at the FIA Sport Conference in the Phillippines. “While we build all the things around it, it starts with having a track that provides a great race.
“Today, realistically, there are tracks that probably we need to work on that are not conducive to providing the most exciting and best racing. There are some that are fabulous.
“Second, we want a site that is going to capture the world’s imagination,” the American added.
“We are in the great cities around the world. We use the phrase ‘destination cities’, and we are in places where when the fans look at it on TV, they are excited about it, think it looks spectacular, and that really capture people’s imagination. And if they go to it, it is even more special.
“We want those magical cities and magical countries that really intrigue and fascinate the world.”
Also Read
- Mercedes boss Wolff suggests F1 needs to lower “unsustainable” race fees
- Brawn defends Monaco: It can’t be judged like the rest
Not everyone is convinced Monaco’s time as a compatible F1 venue is over, however, with Valtteri Bottas defending the circuit over the weekend.
“It’s a difficult one,” the Mercedes driver told Autoweek. “There’s so much history with this track layout. It would be a shame to shame it because it is so iconic.
“But on the other hand, with the current cars as they are, they’re getting quicker and bigger and overtaking is getting more and more difficult.
“It’s on the limit but I still love it, I still love driving there,” he continued. “We’ve seen plenty of rich races also in Monaco but I think this year was unlucky also for the fans that there was not that much happening.”