Formula 1 and motorcycle racing have returned to the center of a debate about street races, after Liberty Media advocated for the return of this format to the MotoGP calendar starting in 2027. The proposal rekindled memories of a tragic episode that occurred in Monaco, considered to this day one of the most dramatic in the history of motorcycle racing.
Read more F1: Alpine denies sabotage and guarantees equality among drivers
The current plan includes the reintroduction of urban circuits, such as the Adelaide layout, replacing Phillip Island. The idea, however, has faced resistance, mainly due to safety concerns, which gained strength after the recollection of a historic event that ended in tragedy.
According to a report from CorseDiMoto, the only motorcycle race held in Monaco took place in 1948. The circuit, known worldwide for being part of the Formula 1 calendar, hosted that year a race that ended marked by a serious accident.
Before the motorcycle race, the Formula 1 race was won by Nino Farina, who competed for Maserati. After that, the motorcycles entered the track, in a scenario that reflected the reality of the time, when even models like the Gilera Saturno participated in car and motorcycle competitions on the same day.
Read more F1: Red Bull may lose another important name, says former mechanic
The motorcycle race ended with a victory for the Italian Aldo Brini, but the result was overshadowed by a fatal accident. The British Norman Linnecar suffered a violent crash at the Saint Devotte corner, in an episode that definitively marked the history of the circuit.
After this accident, the layout was considered unsuitable for motorcycle races, a decision made only after the tragedy. The episode reinforced safety concerns on urban circuits, especially on narrow layouts with little runoff area.
MotoGP has not held races on street circuits since 1982, when the category competed in Imatra, Finland, a smaller and more open circuit than the Adelaide or Monaco layouts. With Liberty Media’s plans advancing, the memory of the past returns to the debate, highlighting the challenges and risks that accompany this type of race.
Read more F1: Wolff says Mercedes took a calculated risk with Antonelli
