F1: Monaco GP Under Threat from French Protestors

The Monaco Grand Prix, scheduled for 26-28 May, is reportedly under threat from protestors. French news outlets have reported that the CGT Union would hold rallies and demonstrations at a number of upcoming sports events. This comes after demonstrators disrupted the start of the Formula E race this past weekend in Berlin by storming the track during the first lap. The 'Letzte Generation' group from Germany said they were protesting climate change by entering the course. France's energy union has pledged to take action for 100 days. The most prestigious event on the Formula One calendar, the Monaco Grand Prix, scheduled at the end of May, is also named as a potential victim of the powercut. Earlier this month, the organisers claimed two power network disruptions, one at the airport in Montpellier and another when Macron was visiting a college and the lights went out.

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Monaco Grand Prix: Track Details

The streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine, in the Principality of Monaco, make up the Circuit de Monaco, a street circuit that spans 3.337 km and loops around the city's bay. Because of its location inside the Monte Carlo district of Monaco, this area is popularly and officially referred to as "Monte Carlo."

The track hosts the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, Formula E Monaco ePrix, and the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco annually over three weekends in April and May. Formula One's several feeder series (Formula 3000, GP2 Series, and now Formula 2 championship and Porsche Supercup) also compete at the track at the same time as Formula One. One of the three races that contribute to the Triple Crown of Motorsport is the Monaco Grand Prix.

Monaco Grand Prix: Troubles

The Grand Prix of Monaco is widely regarded as Formula One's most prestigious race. But in recent years, several concerns have been voiced concerning the Monte Carlo track.

The decrease in the intensity of the race is a major contributor. The latest F1 vehicles are so massive that it is almost difficult for drivers to make any overtakes, and head-to-head racing is also impossible. Many have commented on the 'boring' race that this causes. There was talk of cancelling the event in 2022, but a new deal was secured to keep it going until the conclusion of the 2025 season.

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Given the history of problems at the track and the increased danger posed by the allegedly deliberate power interruption, F1 officials may be tempted to consider abandoning the venue altogether. The sport's CEO, Stefano Domenicali, has recently said that historic circuits may be left off the schedule if they do not meet the sport's requirements.

As the sport has been keen on expanding into other racing territories, it may have to say goodbye to Monaco if the current impasse can't be addressed.