Monaco GP organisers refute 'untrue' claims F1 race set to be axed

The organisers of the Monaco Grand Prix have denied reports the race is set to be axed after 2022 amid talks over a new contract.

Monaco is regarded as one of F1’s most prestigious races but is under threat of losing its place on the calendar with new events joining the series’ expanding schedule.

The recent arrival of street races in Miami and Las Vegas have raised questions around Monaco’s future, particularly as, unlike other grand prix’s, it doesn’t pay a hosting fee.

In recent months, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has stressed existing races cannot be guaranteed a place on the calendar, warning they must be able to demonstrate they can keep up with modern standards.

Monaco’s current deal expires at the end of this year, but Michel Boeri, president of the Automobile Club de Monaco, remains confident a fresh contract will be agreed beyond 2022 that will seal the Principality’s F1 future.

“I’d like to refer to what has been read in the press, where it is said that we may struggle to keep organising grand prix races beyond the 2022 event, so as early as next year,” Boeri said, as quoted by La Gazette de Monaco.

“It was implied that the fees required by Liberty [Media] were too excessive for Monaco and the grand prix would no longer be held.

“That’s untrue. We are still in talks with them and must now seal the deal with a contract.

“I can guarantee you that the grand prix will keep taking place beyond 2022. I don’t know if it will be a three- or five-year contract, but that’s a detail.”

This year’s Monaco Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on May 29, and for the first time in the event’s history it will run a traditional weekend format with practice taking place on Friday rather than Thursday as in previous years.