There’s a lot on the line in 2021. The world is eager to move into a new era where the greatest events again dominate the social calendar – and the Monaco Grand Prix is a litmus test for it.
In fact Monaco’s auto-racing is already setting the pace with reigning champion Sébastien Ogier opening the 2021 World Rally Championship with a record-breaking eighth victory at the Monte Carlo Rally with a spellbinding drive of pure magic.What a way to celebrate the Monte Carlo Rally’s 110th anniversary and a slap in the face for Covid in 2021.
And 2021 is shaping up to be additionally exciting as not only are we waiting to witness Monegasque Charle’s LeClerc’s next attack on his home Grand Prix on May 23rd but we have as a bonus the Historic Grand Prix opening the Grand Prix season a month earlier – not to mention the ever more important Formula E Prix.
Cannes Film Festival Postponed Two Months?
So it was with some consternation that rumours were noticed starting to circulate that Monaco’s Grand Prix schedule, in turn, could be placed under review when the Cannes Film Festival acknowledged the potential postponement of its normal dates in May. Cannes still-to-be-announced new Film Festival dates are under review – the smart money is betting on July.
Cannes traditionally dove-tails its Film Festival just prior to the Monaco Grand Prix aware that all the film stars and celebrities have Monaco as the next spectacular photo-op on their agendas.
A firm rebuff of the rumours and a definitive announcement was immediately issued by the organizations responsible for the Monaco Grand Prix:
The Mediterranean racing event in Monaco – the much anticipated glamour highlight of the year, is scheduled for May 23 as the fifth Grand Prix race on the season’s calendar.
Automobile Club of Monaco Announcement “Despite the latest rumors circulating on certain websites and social media, the @ACM_Media can confirm that the #MonacoGP will take place from May 20th to 23rd, 2021,” the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) said on Twitter.
Despite the latest rumors circulating on certain websites and social media, the @ACM_Media can confirm that the #MonacoGP will take place from May 20th to 23rd, 2021. The ACM also confirms the #GrandPrixMonacoHistorique (April 23rd-25th 2021) and the #MonacoEPrix (May 8th 2021).
— Automobile Club MC (@ACM_Media) January 18, 2021
Green Light for Monaco Grand Prix Events As Scheduled The Historic Grand Prix for classic F1 cars was also confirmed for April 23-25 and the all-electric Formula E race on May 8.
The Monaco Grand Prix on May 23rd will then follow as planned.
Street Circuits Confirmed for 2021
Formula One also dismissed as completely wrong any rumours that races at street circuits were set to be cancelled. While it was the street races that were most vulnerable to the array of cancellations in 2020 – not so in 2021.
The details of the revised 2021 calendar are already set and there are to be no changes according to Formula 1, other than: Australia, the usual season-opener in Melbourne in March being postponed to November due to the current quarantine requirements while China’s race in Shanghai remains uncertain. And there will be an extra street race this year , in Saudi Arabia in Jedda’s floodlit streets in December.
