Former FIA Steward Johnny Herbert backs the idea of shorter F1 races, with Monaco top of his list for a format change.
“I think it would intensify it and thereby produce even better races than we’ve got today,” Herbert said.
The Monaco street circuit, notorious for its lack of overtaking opportunities, could benefit most from a condensed race format.
“Monaco is maybe another one, where a shorter race could work better,” he explained. “I do agree with [F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali] because I think there are some races that are far too long.”
Herbert’s opinion comes from his time working in TV, where he noticed a clear pattern in viewer behavior.
“When you looked at the TV figures, they’re there at the beginning, there’s a drop off in the middle, and then they come back at the end for the climax.”
This viewing pattern is exactly what has F1 bosses concerned. With attention spans shrinking, especially among younger fans, the sport is looking for ways to keep viewers glued to their screens.
“If you squeeze that, then I think you’ll get the attention from the viewer throughout, because you can’t go away, because there is potential for something to happen.”
Herbert even suggested another possibility for race weekends that already feature sprint races.
“Could you have two races of a similar distance? Maybe that’s another way of doing it, and that may be more appealing to race fans.”
Domenicali recently floated the idea of shorter races specifically to appeal to younger audiences. It’s part of Liberty Media’s broader strategy that’s already successfully brought in new fans through Netflix shows and social media campaigns.
## Why Monaco Needs Help
The famous Monaco Grand Prix has a problem. Today’s F1 cars are just too big and heavy for the tight street track.
Overtaking is nearly impossible.
Position changes usually only happen through pit strategy, which is why critics often call the race “a procession” – basically just a fancy parade of cars.
The FIA tried to spice things up during this year’s race by requiring two mandatory pit stops. It didn’t work. Teams just used their second cars to block rivals, making the race even more frustrating to watch.
Despite these challenges, F1 hasn’t given up on Monaco. The iconic race recently secured a contract renewal, guaranteeing its place on the calendar for years to come.
But something needs to change to make Monaco exciting again. Herbert thinks a shorter race might be just the ticket.
