Darse Sud extension begins to secure Monaco GP's future
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Work has started on extending the Darse Sud in Port Hercule to create permanent paddock space and secure the long-term future of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.
Construction has begun on the extension of the Darse Sud within Port Hercule, a project designed to meet Formula 1's evolving space requirements and ensure the Grand Prix remains anchored in the Principality for years to come. The new area will complement land already freed up on quai Antoine Ier this spring, following the demolition of the former International School of Monaco building, with both sites set to provide additional paddock capacity during race week.
As part of the works, a new electrical transformer station and associated equipment will be installed, allowing the removal of the 15 diesel generators currently positioned along the quay during the Grand Prix. This shift towards fixed electrical infrastructure reflects the government's wider push to cut emissions and noise linked to temporary race-week installations, a change residents along the port have long been asking for.
For those living or owning property near Port Hercule, the extension signals a more permanent, better-integrated approach to hosting the Grand Prix, rather than the patchwork of temporary structures seen in previous years. The project also underlines Monaco's intention to keep the race on the F1 calendar well beyond its current contract, by investing in infrastructure rather than relying on short-term fixes.