Verstappen: Miami and Vegas won’t take away from Monaco’s F1 status

F1 staged its inaugural Miami Grand Prix last weekend, attracting a sell-out crowd and a host of big name celebrities in a vibrant new event for the series.

It was the latest sign of F1’s growth in the United States, which looks set to only continue next year with the addition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The race will run on Saturday night and use part of the famous Strip for the circuit.

Monaco has typically been known as the ‘jewel in the crown’ for F1, but Miami was regarded as setting a new benchmark for the series in terms of the overall event, drawing numerous comparisons to the Super Bowl.

But reigning F1 world champion Verstappen felt the success of new events could not draw anything away from the history of a race like Monaco.

“I don't think you can replace Monaco,” Verstappen said last weekend in Miami.

“Monaco has such a history, and of course it takes time to build that. And also this is a completely different to Monaco, there’s a lot more space here and the whole atmosphere is different.

“It’s a different kind of culture as well, which is good that we have, because it would be very boring to drive every time at [somewhere with] the same culture.

“You have to find a middle way between these kind of [events in Miami], Monaco and, of course, permanent race tracks.”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari SF21, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M, and Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri AT02

Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images

Some uncertainty remains over Monaco’s future given its lack of contract beyond the end of this season. The race has traditionally seen its hosting fee get waived as part of its agreement, but talks are continuing regarding what a new contract