High-profile figures in Formula 1 are considering adjustments to the renowned Monaco Grand Prix amid key contractual negotiations.
Last week, Bloomberg reported that F1's commercial proprietor, Liberty Media, is advocating for higher payments from the race's organizers for a renewed deal beyond 2025.
Former F1 driver Alex Wurz expressed that eliminating the race would be akin to F1 "cutting off its roots," even though the Principality might lose more than the sport itself.
"It would not change anything about the fame and finances of Formula 1," the Austrian shared with ORF. "But for me it would still be a shame."
The issue extends beyond finances. With the increasing speed, size, and weight of the cars, the circuit has become somewhat antiquated, with overtaking nearly impossible.
"To have a really entertaining race here, we ought to at least look at whether we can open up some areas to create at least an overtaking opportunity," Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, proposed.
"To protect the next 70 years here, I think it's obvious that there needs to be some evolution."
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, suggested that "special tyres" could add excitement to the race strategies, or perhaps a unique race format could be introduced specifically for Monaco.
Fernando Alonso, who struggled with Monaco's notorious traffic resulting in an early exit from Q1, concurred with Mercedes' Toto Wolff that splitting the qualifying into two sessions could be a "great" solution moving forward.
Wolff remarked on Saturday, "I think this track has its limits and we have surpassed them."
Meanwhile, Alonso was pessimistic about his chances for the race, estimating virtually no possibility of earning points.
"There is no plan," the Aston Martin driver outlined. "Start P16, do 72 laps, try not to damage the car, and arrive with the car more or less whole for Canada."
