Monaco’s spot on F1 calender not certain, warns Mercedes boss

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Monaco should not take its place on the Formula One calendar for granted.

As it stands, Sergio Perez’s drive to victory on Sunday will be the last on Monte Carlo’s famous streets unless a new deal is agreed.

F1’s American owners Liberty Media and the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) remain locked in discussions.

It is unlikely the sport’s showpiece event will fall off the schedule, but it could be several months before a contract extension is reached.

F1 bosses are understood to be pushing for changes to the twomile course – which has been largely unchanged since the first race in the principality almost a century ago – while there are also question marks over the track’s facilities.

Sunday’s race was delayed following a power outage after a downpour moments before the start. Monaco’s hosting fee, thought to be in the region of £10 million, is under review, while other sticking points – including ACM’s control of the global television feed and its insistence that its Grand Prix must take place on the final weekend of May – are also up for discussion.

“I am biased because I live here, I love the city and what Monaco has to offer is spectacular,” said Wolff.

“Formula One is important for Monaco and Monaco is important for Formula One. But it needs a positive approach from both parties.

“Monaco will always be respected within the Formula One community as something that is special.

“And if we didn’t race in Monaco, that would be a shame from my perspective as a team owner. But no one should take anything for granted.”

Toto Wolff.