Formula 1: the Monaco Grand Prix will be held with 7,500 spectators

Like an air from the world before.

As mentioned for a few weeks, the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco, one of the most prestigious meetings of the season, will be held on May 23 in front of 7,500 spectators announced on Tuesday the government of the Principality.

"It is at the same time important that it be held with a minimum participation of the public and in incontestable sanitary conditions", indicated the Minister of State Pierre Dartout.

This is a fairly exceptional gauge in the current health context. In France, outdoor sports establishments will be able to reconnect with the public on May 19, but with a limit strictly limited to 1,000 spectators. It will also be, at the global level, the first grand prix of the 2021 season to be held with so many audiences, while F1 has been evolving under a bubble since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This season, a few spectators vaccinated or cured of Covid-19 were present for the inaugural round in Bahrain on March 28.

The Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna (Italy) and that of Portugal were held behind closed doors while that of Spain, on the Catalonia-Barcelona circuit, is due to welcome 1,000 people on Sunday.

The Canadian Grand Prix has been canceled and will be replaced by that of Turkey.

The French GP is scheduled for June 27.

That run down to Turn 1 though 😍 # PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 # F1 pic.twitter.com/AIYa2L2Qqr

- Formula 1 (@ F1) May 3, 2021

Canceled last year, the Monaco Grand Prix has already sold “4,000 tickets”, said Christian Tornatore, commissioner general of the Automobile Club de Monaco, who is counting on the coming of neighboring Italians for this event. popular with the British.

These "7,500 tickets correspond to one in three places in order to allow distance", he continues.

In practice, on Thursday 20, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May, there will be no restriction on the origin of the public, who will have to present a PCR test at the border and to enter the enclosure of the circuit.

Residents, employees of the Principality and Monegasques are exempt from testing.

However, there will be no fan zone or standing stand, and the most delicate point will be the return of spectators after the events to avoid crowds.

"We are all attached to ensuring that it takes place in the best possible conditions, both for what it represents economically, particularly in the hotel and catering sector, but also for the image of the Principality ”, underlined Mr. Dartout.

The economic benefits, estimated at 100 million euros, "will undoubtedly be less than for a normal year but the Prince's philosophy always proceeds in the same way", with the objective of ensuring "the balance between preservation of the economy and health protection of the population, ”he said.

Despite a still uncertain health situation, more and more events are opening up to the public. On May 21 and 22, a maximum of 10,000 spectators will be allowed for the two European Rugby Cup finals at London's Twickenham Stadium. On May 26, up to 9500 spectators will be able to attend the final of the Europa League football in Gdansk, the Polish authorities having allowed 25% of the audience. The beginnings of a return to the life before ...