Monaco Grand Prix Set For Changes

Compared to the other Grand Prix during the F1 season, the Monaco Grand Prix is always the highlight of the calendar, and due to its street circuit predictions of who will win is less clear cut than at other circuits.

Combine that with the glamour and socialising plus the history of the race, it's no wonder that Monaco Grand Prix tickets are always in demand.

That's not true of many of the other circuits, and if the winner is predictable it takes away the sense of excitement that many F1 fans around the world have come to love, either when attending personally or watching live coverage at home.

To stop F1 becoming boring again as it did for some years in the 90's, there are proposals which will affect the teams and drivers involved, with the aim of returning F1 to the driving skills of their drivers, as well as design, tactics and the renowned quality of their mechanics.

According to one report the proposals would take designs back to the early 1980s, when cars had relatively small wings and highly developed undersides to aid downforce. The move should significantly increase the ability of cars to overtake each other, pretty difficult at Monaco at the best of times, but more if it's more likely to see cars overtaking around Casino Square where the roulette tables and blackjack are will be a welcome move.

The proposed changes are thought likely to see vastly reduced front and rear wing sizes; greater proportions of total downforce derived from the use of shaped floors, but a major reduction in total downforce, the retention of large tyre sizes to ensure cornering speeds remain high, and a reduction in the amount of full-throttle running, from 70 per cent to 50 per cent by 2013.

Considering the Monaco Grand Prix has few straights that allow full speed this won't impact as much, but overall the spectators on the privately rented apartment balconies and the Monaco hotels should have some great races to look forward to.

The circuit consists of narrow streets, which climb, descend and require real driver skill. The course also has a tunnel that racers must enter, negotiate and exit, all the while adjusting their eyes to darkness and abruptly to daylight again.

Some of the drivers have residency and own a Monaco property not just because of the great location but because it's Europe's prime tax haven, and for those who do spend any amount of time there it's probably quite an advantage as they get to know the circuit between races - former winners who have lived in Monaco include for example David Coulthard, who for a time had an interest in one of the well known hotels, the Columbus, located in Fontvieille.

Others who have won in the past include Ayrton Senna with six victories, the UK's Graham Hill and Germany's Michael Schumacher with five each. France's Alain Prost had four while the UK's Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart had three - more recently Lewis Hamilton won.

For those considering visiting for this year's race, normally the best sections for viewing are considered to be A1, A4, V, Z1 and Z2 if it's Monaco Grand Prix tickets alone that are being purchased, while hospitality packages will include seating or perhaps attendance at one of the apartments privately rented for the occasion.

Whatever happens to the world of F1, it is likely that Monaco will remain the number one race fixture of the year.