Zzz… Monaco is staying on the F1 calendar until 2031

This will divide opinion, because it always does: the Monaco Grand Prix will remain on the F1 calendar until at least 2031, having signed a new deal with the sport.

The old agreement was set to expire after 2025 - which will be the 75th anniversary - but in news that will energise Sunday nap enthusiasts everywhere, it’s here to stay for another six years. Zzz...

F1 has secured a concession of sorts from Monaco, in that the race will move from its traditional slot in late May to the first full weekend of June from 2026 onwards. We suspect this will make other races around that time less travel-heavy.

It’s one of a handful of sticking points where Monaco has given up ground in recent years: a couple of seasons ago race organisers agreed to turn over control of the television broadcast (remember the cut-away-from-live-action-for-a-replay-of-Lance-Stroll-running-wide meme?) and they also backed down over an issue with on-track advertising.

However… no changes to the track layout are planned. So it will continue to be almost impossible for one car to overtake another on race day. Spiffing.

“I’m delighted that Formula 1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031,” said F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali. “The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and a famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning.

“I would like to extend a special thanks to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco and everyone involved in the extension of this important partnership.

“This agreement signals a new era of partnership and innovation between Formula 1 and Monaco. It is the future focused leadership of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco which will allow us to create an optimised calendar, which reduces pressure on logistics, and to decrease the environmental impact of our global championship, as we continue the path towards our Net Zero goal by 2030.”

Are you happy? Sad? Angry? Quite looking forward to a snooze on the sofa?