Lost traditions: How Monaco GP has fallen in line with F1 calendar

The Monaco Grand Prix remains one of the most prestigious events in all of motor sport, but what was once the jewel in F1’s crown has been somewhat overshadowed by the series bosses’ desire to make other events — particularly in the US — feel like Super Bowls every other Sunday.

To many long-time F1 fans, however, the principality remains near the top of the list as the most charismatic and historic grand prix weekend.

For many years, Monaco was known for its unique traditions, but some of them have evolved as F1 has adapted to the times.

Here are some of the most significant traditions that have changed over the years.

The four-day grand prix weekend

For decades, Monaco was unique on the F1 calendar for its four-day race weekend, with practice sessions held on Thursday followed by Friday as a day off for F1 teams and drivers.

The tradition originated because the race weekend historically coincided with Ascension Day, a Christian festival and public holiday in Monaco that falls on the Thursday or Friday of the race week.

The break allowed for media events, sponsor activities, and parties in the harbour.

However, as F1’s calendar got busier with more races, the tradition was dropped for the 2022 season, with Monaco falling in line with the other events on the schedule.

That means the Monaco GP weekend is now a three-day event from Friday to Sunday.

Race date change

The Monaco GP was traditionally held in late May, often coinciding with the Ascension Day holiday, which influenced the original Thursday practice tradition, as mentioned above.

This year, the event takes place a week before that holiday, but the bigger change will happen in 2026, when the race moves to a June date.

The goal of the change is to improve the logistics of the series, opening the door for the Canadian Grand Prix to be held earlier, in May, and potentially be paired with the Miami Grand Prix.

The move also means that Monaco will no longer clash with the Indianapolis 500, making the new date more fan and multi-discipline-driver friendly.

Broadcaster change

The television coverage of the Monaco GP was produced by the local station Tele Monte Carlo (TMC), which was unique among Formula 1 races, until the 2022 season.

For 2023, F1 itself took over the production of the broadcast, putting an end to decades of control by the local broadcaster, again moving the principality in line with the rest of the events that form up the calendar.

The Monaco GP broadcasts had been criticised regularly in recent years for missing key moments or lacking some of the production quality seen at other events.

Title sponsor

As Monaco tried to preserve a sense of tradition and exclusivity, the grand prix was one of the few that never had a title sponsor over the years, despite having been part of the calendar since 1950.

That’s another thing that’s changing going into this year’s race, as the event will have Tag Heuer as its sponsor.

The luxury watch brand returned to F1 this year as its official timekeeper, replacing Rolex.

Mandatory pitstops

While Monaco never had a tradition about pitstops, the race will be unique in having the twist of a new rule this year.

Drivers will be forced to make at least two stops in the race, a move aimed at spicing things up at a track that almost inevitably produces processional racing.

The rule only applies to Monaco – for now.