Fernando Alonso has defended the Monaco Grand Prix amid ongoing criticism, reminding Formula 1 fans and media alike that its unique challenges have always defined the race.
The iconic race has faced sharp criticism after this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, where Lando Norris turned pole position into victory ahead of local favourite Charles Leclerc.
Following another race low on overtaking and the controversial failure of the mandatory two-stop rule, drivers and team principals voiced their frustrations with the event.
Numerous suggestions have been put forward addressing the two-stop rule, circuit layout, and the impact of modern F1 car sizes on racing at Monaco.
However, for the Spaniard, Monaco’s character is part of its charm — and its limitations are nothing new.
“Monaco has always been Monaco, but now there is a lot of expectations, there is a lot of media, there are a lot of things on [the] internet, social media, there are a lot of things generated for Formula 1,“ he told media including Motorsport Week.
“We want to see the show, we want to see the overtaking, we want to improve the sport from our couch; at home, everyone has ideas, all these kind of things.
“I’m always a bit surprised about the negative comments from Monaco on Monday, but don’t worry, because next year we will go to Monaco, and on Wednesday we will be so excited.
“I think it’s what it is; you play all your cards on Saturday, sometimes it’s good, sometimes not, but there are some other circuits that are also like that.
“It’s the nature of Formula 1, even with how competitive the field is now.
“A few years ago, two or three years ago, I think Max and Red Bull won nearly all the races.
“It happened also with the McLaren back in the 90s and this is Formula 1.
“But it’s still number one sport and we still embrace how it is.”
Alonso reminds critics of ‘Monaco’s nature’
While many within the paddock have called for changes — from altering the mandatory pit stop rule to modifying the track layout — Alonso warned against constantly focusing on the negatives, especially when Monaco’s challenges have long been part of F1’s DNA.
“Lance [Stroll] overtook Nico [Hulkenberg] on the last lap — you see one overtake every three years,” Alonso said.
“This has been Monaco’s nature.
“But there is this constant talk about how bad something is instead of how good something is – this is Monaco.
“Maybe there are a couple of ideas that, between all involved in the sport, drivers, FIA, teams, that we can think about Monaco.
“But I don’t think that there is any need to think [about] something.
“It’s only because, as I said, there is a lot of content now to be created and drivers, we are too nice, so we answer to every question.
“Because if 40 years ago you asked [Ayrton] Senna and [Alain] Prost about Monaco after one week, they will be less polite than we are.”
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