A Ferrari races through the streets of Monte Carlo
Photograph: PHOTO SPORTS

Formula 1’s iconic Monaco Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until at least 2031.

A six-year extension was announced Thursday, with a date change to June, which would also avoid future conflicts with the Indianapolis 500.

Racing on the streets of Monte Carlo was part of the first world championship season in 1950 and has existed ever since, except in 2020 during the global pandemic.

Formula One has said the race will be held on the first full weekend in June from 2026, and will historically be held from the end of May, overlapping with Indianapolis.

“I am pleased that Formula 1 will continue racing in Monaco until 2031,” Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.

“The streets of Monte Carlo are a unique and famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains the race that all drivers dream of winning.

“This agreement signals a new era of partnership and innovation between Formula 1 and Monaco.”

Domenicali said the agreement “will allow us to create an optimized schedule that reduces pressure on logistics and reduces the environmental impact of our global championship, as we continue our path towards our Net Zero target by 2030.”

This year’s Monaco Grand Prix is ​​sandwiched between Imola in Italy, after the round in Miami, and the race in Montreal, Canada, which returns to Europe after the championship.

Formula 1 wants a more logical flow of racing based on regions.

This year’s Monaco Grand Prix was watched by an audience of more than 70 million fans, according to Formula One, making it the third most-watched F1 race of all time in the United States.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won his home race from pole position.

“The Monaco Grand Prix is ​​the most important sporting event here and continues to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators to the principality and millions of global television viewers worldwide,” said Michel Boeri, President of the Monaco Automobile Club.

-Reuters