F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Prince Albert hints at potential layout changes at Monaco

Monte Carlo's massive €2 billion offshore expansion project which is currently underway in the Principality could lead to a change of layout of its Formula 1 track.

Located just before the circuit's tunnel, the urban expansion over the Mediterranean is set to steal approximately 15 acres of land from the sea.

Once complete in 2025, the new district, Portier Cove, will include residential properties - among the most expensive in the world - public spaces, a landscaped park and a small marina.

Prince Albert II has hinted that the extra parcel could eventually also serve the purpose of tweaking the layout of Monaco's twisty course.

"We always look, every once in a while, at different possibilities of extending the track, and certainly something to think about is that we are building the new land extension," Prince Albert said in an interview with Forbes.

"There are no plans or anything yet, it is just in the back of all of our minds — people in the Automobile Club but also in the government — that there could be.

"I am not saying that it will happen necessarily, but at some point we are going to put our minds together and say, how can we not only improve this, but how can we make it a little more exciting by maybe changing the course slightly?

"We haven't gone beyond this simple statement of an idea -- something that is in the back of our minds," he added.

An F1 anachronism among the sport's modern venues, Monaco clings to Grand Prix racing as F1 clings to its glitzy glamour.

"It is such a part of the history of the sport that I can’t envisage an F1 season without the Monaco Grand Prix," he added.

"When you talk to all the partners of F1 and they tell you this is one of the venues where we don’t hesitate to bring our customers, that has got to mean something. It is unique for most people."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

6 mins ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

1 hour ago

Hamilton delighted with ‘consistently strong day’ in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton was particularly happy with his opening day of running at the Las Vegas…

3 hours ago

Verstappen stuck with 'draggy' rear wing for Vegas

Red Bull fears that its prospects for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix - which…

3 hours ago

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

4 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

5 hours ago