The Monaco GP starts on Thursday, but why?

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, 2009, the first two free practice sessions for the Monaco Grand Prix, the 6th round of the season, will take place. Usually, F1 Grand Prix weekends start on Friday, but as a tradition in Monaco, within a mythical setting, the competition always begins on Thursday. Why?

As everyone knows, Grand Prix is a French expression, used worldwide. The first automobile Grand Prix was held in Monaco in 1929, a precursor to F1. The first Monaco Formula 1 GP only took place 25 years later. But always within the framework of F1, enthusiasts only waited for one Grand Prix: Monaco. It’s the most mythical, the most media-covered, and the most atypical of the Grand Prix races.

It is said that only true champions win in Monaco. History proves it, and as a result, it is one of the 4 most famous sporting events in the world. Therefore, the organizers derive certain benefits from it. Indeed, for over 40 years, the ACM or Automobile Club of Monaco – which organizes the event – can decide the dates for its F1 Grand Prix.

Each year, therefore, the ACM chooses the Ascension weekend for its event. The tradition has been established, allowing F1 enthusiasts to enjoy a four-day Grand Prix instead of three. Traditionally, the practice sessions start on Ascension Thursday, a public holiday, obviously to attract as many people as possible.

Friday is of course a day off, which delights most mechanics who can celebrate with their team on Thursday; a rare occurrence.

Always under a religious aspect, Ascension Friday must be marked by the observance of the Christian feast; therefore, all noise is prohibited, and single-seaters could not compete, thus moving their trials up by one day.

Finally, the FIA continues to accept the event taking place over 4 days, thus allowing the ACM to increase its revenue and better offset the organization of an urban Grand Prix, which is always difficult and costly to set up.

This year, for example, tons of rocks were thrown into the water to reclaim land from the Mediterranean. The stands will be set up on the water, increasing their capacity to hold spare parts for the single-seaters and allowing for larger grandstands for spectators. All of this will be dismantled by next Monday.