F1 breaks European drone record above Monaco while unveiling Las Vegas GP extension to 2037
Formula 1 has never been shy about making a statement, but on Thursday evening above Port Hercule, the sport outdid itself. A fleet of 3,050 drones illuminated the Monaco skyline in what is now officially the largest drone show ever staged in Europe â a breathtaking aerial curtain-raiser that also served as the backdrop for a major commercial announcement: the Las Vegas Grand Prix has been extended through 2037.
A Record-Breaking Spectacle Above Port Hercule
The display stretched 600 feet high and 800 feet wide, comfortably surpassing the previous European record of 2,025 drones set in nearby Nice just a year earlier. Over the course of a 10-minute choreographed sequence, the drones traced Monaco's distinctive cityscape and iconic street circuit before forming the shape of the Monaco Grand Prix trophy â a pointed nod to the race's own contract extension through 2035.
The show then shifted its focus across the Atlantic. A bold Las Vegas visual lit up the harbour sky, delivering the night's headline reveal: a new 10-year deal securing the Las Vegas Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar through the 2037 season. As we reported, the extension cements what has rapidly become one of the sport's most high-profile events since its debut in 2023.
A Night of Celebration Aboard EXPLORA I
The opening party was hosted aboard EXPLORA I, the luxury cruise ship docked in Port Hercule for the grand prix weekend. DJ Bob Sinclar headlined the entertainment, with supermodel Naomi Campbell making a surprise appearance behind the decks â a guest list that underlined just how far Formula 1's cultural reach now extends.
For Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer of Formula 1 and president & CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix, the evening encapsulated the sport's growing ambition.
"From the streets of Monte Carlo to the skies above the harbour, Formula 1 continues to deliver a spectacle never seen before in world sport," she said.
Prazer was equally emphatic in her post-event assessment: "In one evening alone, we paid our respects to the history of the Monaco Grand Prix, delivered Europe's biggest ever drone show, launched a 10-year extension to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and entertained global superstars aboard EXPLORA I. I am delighted to see our sport reach new heights, and can't wait to see all the action unfold this weekend in this iconic destination."
History and Ambition, Side by Side
The choice of Monaco as the stage for this dual announcement was no accident. Few venues better represent the sport's heritage than Monte Carlo, and few events better represent its modern commercial ambition than Las Vegas. By weaving both threads into a single night's spectacle, Formula 1 delivered a message as clear as the drones in the night sky: the sport is simultaneously honouring its past and building aggressively for its future.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.