The Monaco Grand Prix – Formula 1’s most glamorous and iconic race – isn’t going anywhere. The sport has officially extended its agreement with the Automobile Club of Monaco, guaranteeing the Monte Carlo showdown will remain on the calendar until at least 2035. The news secures another decade of high-octane drama, celebrity spectacle and racing history in the streets of the Principality.
After multiple seasons of uncertainty, short-term renewals and tense negotiations, the Principality has secured one of the longest deals on the current Formula 1 calendar. The existing contract, signed in 2024 and valid through 2031, has now been extended by four years, placing Monaco among a handful of venues with agreements running well into the next decade. Only Madrid, Bahrain, Australia, Miami and Austria currently hold longer-term contracts.
This finalised deal – announced on Friday 5th September – comes as a relief to many within the paddock and across Monaco, following a turbulent few years where the Grand Prix’s future often appeared under threat. Key sticking points in discussions included rising hosting fees, limited overtaking opportunities, and control over television production — a right historically retained by the ACM, but increasingly contested by Formula 1’s rights holder, Liberty Media.
“The agreement reaffirms, more than ever, our commitment to delivering an exceptional, unmatched and world-renowned race weekend to the passionate fans who travel from all over the globe to attend the Monaco Grand Prix, first held in 1929,” said ACM President Michel Boeri in a statement. “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Prince Albert II of Monaco for his unwavering support, as well as to Stefano Domenicali for his continued trust.”
Royal intervention and a breakthrough
At the height of the standoff, Prince Albert II personally intervened to help move negotiations forward, underlining just how politically and culturally significant the event remains for the Principality.
A six-year agreement announced in late 2024 appeared to stabilise the situation, but the confirmation of a further four years now offers Monaco the long-term security it had been seeking.
“The renewal of the Monaco Grand Prix until 2035 is in keeping with a sporting and historical tradition to which the Principality remains deeply attached,” said Prince Albert II in a statement. “I can only welcome this renewed commitment, which is testament to our collective success, the excellence of our collaboration with Formula 1, and the unique place that Monaco occupies in the international motorsport landscape.”
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali also marked the announcement by calling Monaco “an iconic race that is loved by all drivers and fans, with a unique vibe thanks to its location on the world’s most glamorous Principality”.
A Monegasque triumph, and a divisive format tweak
Last year’s Monaco Grand Prix delivered a historic moment as Charles Leclerc finally clinched victory on home soil. The win marked the first time a Monegasque driver had ever won the event in Formula 1’s World Championship era and cemented Leclerc’s place in local sporting folklore.
This year’s race, however, was less well received. Despite a victory for McLaren’s Lando Norris —his first in the Principality — the new mandatory two-pit-stop rule introduced to boost excitement was widely criticised. Drivers and fans alike dismissed the format as ineffective, arguing that it failed to meaningfully improve overtaking or race dynamics.
Yet organisers remain committed to the change: the two-stop rule is confirmed to return in 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to make the Monaco Grand Prix more strategically engaging.
Monaco moves to June
One notable shift for next year’s race is its calendar slot. The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix will take place from 5th to 7th June, moving to the first weekend of the month. The change is designed to avoid a scheduling conflict with the Indianapolis 500 and to streamline the opening phase of Formula 1’s European leg.
Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre