Indy 500, F1 Monaco Grand Prix Will Not Run on the Same Weekend in 2021

Monaco moves next year

The crown jewel events of IndyCar and Formula 1 will be separated by a week in May next year, as the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500 will remain on Memorial Day weekend in 2021 but not the Monaco GP, which means if Fernando Alonso does return to F1 in 2021, he can have another go at the Indy 500.

Automobile Club de Monaco, or ACM, confirmed on Tuesday that–with the 2020 running canceled–next year’s Formula 1 event will be held on May 20-23. Meanwhile, IndyCar’s marquee event is slated for May 30. Additionally, the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco that was originally scheduled for May 8-10, 2020, is rescheduled for April 23-25, 2021, along with the fourth edition of Formula E’s Monaco ePrix set for May 8.

“To organize three races in the space of one month will be a premiere for us all at ACM," said Christian Tornatore, the general commissioner of ACM, in a statement. “The logistical side promises to be complex, but not impossible to manage.

“Because of the new constraints, we shall need to start setting up the track earlier than usual, at the end of February, instead of March 15. We will then integrate the technical aspects, on and around the track, required by every category that will be involved. In order to achieve this, we will count on the experience and flexibility of all the persons involved, in order to achieve our objectives."