Vettel doesn't get it: "I can't think of any other reason for it either"

The Monaco Grand Prix always starts on the Wednesday with the press conferences, followed one day later by the first and second free practice. Friday was then always a 'free' day for the drivers and teams, but this tradition has been abandoned going forward. From next season onwards the programme in Monaco will look like any other Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel is critical of this move.

"It was always a nice day off, I wasn't going to party or anything, but I had a bit more preparation time. It was just part of Monaco," Vettel is quoted as saying by Motorsport.com. So Liberty Media's plans can't really count on the approval of the four-time World Champion. "But anyway, all the fun stuff apparently has to go. That's the reason they are downsizing to three days."

The German doesn't really understand why things should suddenly change after all these years. "I don't understand why you want to change it in Monaco. It worked well, it was a one-off timetable. Whatever it is, we're going to adapt and then we'll see. I don't know if all the fun has to be taken out, but I can't think of any other reason for it either. There are probably things that used to be more fun, but then again, things have changed for the better. There is always some kind of balance," he said.

More GP's?

It is possible that Formula 1 has decided not to start until Thursday in Monaco, so that the weekend before can be planned as well . Liberty Media is still planning to expand the calendar. The provisional 2022 calendar will presumably be announced in a month's time.