Red Bull boss Christian Horner has outlined how he would change the Monaco Formula 1 circuit, insisting it “must move with the times” after just two overtakes were completed in Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Often described as ‘the jewel in the crown’ of motorsport, the Monaco Grand Prix has become a much-maligned fixture on the F1 calendar.
With racing always at a premium along the tight, twisty Principality street circuit, recent years has seen overtaking numbers fall, largely due to the increasing size of the cars.
The FIA’s mandatory two-stop plan, a plan to flesh out more excitement from the event, ultimately failed, with inter-team game-playing in the midfield playing a part, in which two less overtakes were recorded during the entire race.
Speaking after the race, in which Max Verstappen finished fourth, Horner reiterated his long-held beliefs that the circuit could be altered to provide a central overtaking spot.
“I think everything has to move with the times, ultimately, doesn’t it? It’s an iconic, historic circuit,” he told select media, including Motorsport Week.
“But, you know, if you look at how Monaco has changed, how much land they’ve reclaimed overseas in the 72 appearances here, I don’t think you would need to maybe do too much.
“It just needs to be one area that you can have an overtake. I mean, everybody knows they’re coming here.
“The race was pretty much done yesterday [in qualifying]. And we’ve introduced another dynamic with the pit stop, which ultimately for… I guess for the top ten, other than the retirement, there’s nobody really changed position.”
‘Maybe go-karts’ the solution to Monaco overtake headache
After Sunday’s race, McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella heaped hope onto the smaller 2026 cars allowing for more overtaking at the event.
When asked for his views on contribution smaller cars could make, Horner joked: “Maybe go karts,” adding: “I think these cars are just too big for this circuit. You can barely get them side by side.
“That’s Monaco, we know that. We all want to be here. We’re all here because it is Monaco, and the prestige and the cachet that goes with that. But everything has to move with the times at some point.
“I mean, the marshals are fantastic here. They put on a great event. It would just be really cool to have at least one area where there was a chance of an overtake.
“Because even in Formula 2 now and the support races, it’s very similar.”
READ MORE – Max Verstappen mocks F1’s two-stop rule with ‘Mario Kart’ jibe after Monaco GP
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