Johnny Herbert Endorses Shorter F1 Races, Targets Monaco GP for Format Shift

Johnny Herbert, former F1 driver and FIA Steward, backs F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali's call for shorter Grand Prix races, singling out the Monaco GP for a format overhaul to enhance excitement and viewer engagement.

Why it matters

• Viewer Retention: Domenicali cited concerns about younger audiences' attention spans, observing a mid-race viewership dip. Herbert confirmed this trend from TV analytics.
• Race Intensity: Herbert believes shorter races would "intensify it and thereby produce even better races," ensuring constant viewer attention and "potential for something to happen."

Monaco's Predicament

• "Procession" Criticisms: The Monaco GP is frequently labeled a "procession." Modern F1 cars' size and the track's narrowness make overtaking nearly impossible, with position changes relying solely on pit strategy.
• Ineffective FIA Rule: This year's mandatory two-pitstop rule in Monaco failed, as teams exploited it to protect positions, intensifying the "procession" debate.
• Herbert: "Monaco is maybe another one, where a shorter race could work better."

Outlook

With support from figures like Herbert and Domenicali, discussions about optimizing F1 race formats, particularly for iconic but challenging events like Monaco, are set to continue. The aim is clear: heighten race intensity and maximize global viewer retention.