The annual debate about the Monaco Grand Prix's place in F1 is well underway, as the racing circus descends upon the Principality for this year's race.
The narrow track does not lead to the most exciting racing and, with new venues like Miami arriving to much fanfare, questions have been asked of whether F1 should continue visiting Monaco.
Ferrari man and championship contender Charles Leclerc is a Monégasque native and, ahead of his home race, he made the case for the Monaco Grand Prix to stay on the calendar, saying that the sport would not be the same without its most famous race.
Charles Leclerc makes case for Monaco Grand Prix
Of all of F1's classic races, the Monaco Grand Prix is certainly the most divisive. While the high speeds and potential for racing make the likes of Silverstone and Suzuka popular, Monaco is rarely a thrilling race due to the difficulty of overtaking.
Despite this, Charles Leclerc believes that the race must remain on the calendar, for its iconic status and the challenge of the track.
F1 has some historic tracks like Silverstone and Monza - and Monaco too - and they should stay on the calendar.
It would be a bad move for both parties [to remove Monaco]. I have never known Monaco without F1 apart from COVID reasons in 2020, and F1 without Monaco for me is not F1.
Monaco is one of the best tracks out there, in terms of qualifying there are no places I enjoy as much as here, where the driver can make as much difference.
The danger you can still feel, because you really have the sensation of speed and in terms of qualifying it is probably the most exciting of the year.
I agree in the races there are maybe some things we could change here and there to help overtaking but in terms of challenge for drivers it is one of the toughest challenges of the year.
Monaco certainly is a challenge for the drivers. The 3.337km track is famed for the proximity of the barriers and the constant peril - any mistake has a decent chance of ending your race. Incredible helmet cam footage from Charles Leclerc's fastest lap on Friday shows just how challenging the track is to drive.
An adrenaline rush like no other in sport! 🍿#MonacoGP @Charles_Leclerc pic.twitter.com/8JGqZqVSaE
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 27, 2022
Leclerc has infamously never finished at his home race. He crashed out late in 2018, before doing the same in the early stages of the 2019 race.
Last year, Leclerc set the fastest time in qualifying in Monaco, but a crash late in qualifying ultimately damaged his car enough to prevent him from starting the race.
Ahead of this weekend's race, Leclerc spoke on his poor track record at the Monaco Grand Prix.
I don't think about it - it's not been the luckiest track for me overall but that's life. It happens, it's part of motorsport, and sometimes things just don't go your way.
Hopefully this year will.
This weekend is crucial in the context of the title battle, with Max Verstappen having taken the lead of the F1 championship for the first time this season at the last race in Barcelona. Charles Leclerc will be desperate to claim a strong result at his home race and strike back at his championship rival.
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