Monaco Grand Prix: Has F1’s iconic race become boring?

The answer is not a straightforward yes or no.

Known for it’s grandeur, Monaco has always been an iconic track since its first race in 1929, with rows of yachts along the harbour and a star-studded guest list in attendance.

It is considered one of motorsport’s triple crown events – an unofficial achievement – along with the Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans. Three different, but equally challenging races, and steeped in a rich history.

In recent years, however, there have been discussions on whether the streets of Monte Carlo have made for a stagnant track, although a contest drivers still want to win.

“This is really boring… I should’ve brought my pillow,” said four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen after finishing sixth in the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix.

The circuit is a unique challenge for drivers, with roads around the principality narrow with tight turns and a mile-long tunnel.

With modern cars now much larger, this makes overtaking difficult.

Saturday’s qualifying is considered the most exciting part of the weekend as the race classification is deemed a foregone conclusion as the track averages just 10 overtakes per race, the lowest of any track in the last 10 years.

In 2024, the top 10 remained unchanged from start to finish with only four overtakes in the 78-lap contest as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took both pole position and the race victory over the weekend.

The previous year’s edition saw 22 overtakes because of rain, while in 2022 there were 13 on wet tarmac.

This weekend, from May 23-25, will be the 82nd staging of the Monaco Grand Prix. It has been on the calendar since F1 began in 1950, becoming a permanent fixture from 1955, other than during the Covid-affected 2020 season.