MONACO TRADITION
The circuit is after all almost unchanged from its birth in 1929. And that is the magic of it. You take a Principality squashed into 2 square kilometres, perched above the Mediterranean and commandeer its boulevards. No matter the 180-degree hairpin turn approached from a straight run, travelling at top speed. No matter that you approach that hairpin turn from a dark tunnel into blinding sunlight decelerating from full throttle with a 7.5 second burst at 200 km / h, braking hard to 50 km / h. And all the while with only splitseconds to decide if you must overtake an opponent— the only place to do so. Add to that the myriad of turns and gear changes requiring ultimate concentration, finesse, control, and skill— likened by Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet to « riding a bicycle around his living room ». By the time they finish, the race drivers will make almost 5000 gear changes! Take this jewel in the Mediterranean sun and allow the gods to go crazy— a little rain on the typically sun-bleached track, a storm at sea and you have all the drama of racing in Monaco.
Water hazard!
Did you know the great Fangio narrowly escaped being washed out to sea in his virgin win at Monaco’ s F1 Grand Prix in 1950? It would seem unimaginable, but in the Monaco Grand Prix the unimaginable happens. Take Paul Hawkins, for example. Approaching the chicane at the port, the charming, wellloved Lotus driver must have had his father, a vicar, saying more than a few prayers. A 1965 issue of MotorSport reported: « There was a bit of a furore at the chicane for Hawkins struck the wooden barrier at the entry and spun through the straw bales and over the edge of the quay and into the harbour. The Lotus sank to the bottom and the rugged Australian bobbed to the surface and struck out for shore, while boats went to his rescue ». They say lightning doesn’ t strike twice, but miracles repeatedly happen in Monaco: the same fate had already struck Alberto Askari in 1955, when he too ended up in the sea but still managed to come in second. Danger always
© f2. blick. ch lurks when travelling at 200 km / h only millimetres away from concrete barriers— yet the Monaco circuit’ s overall safety record is good.
A tight squeeze
Destiny led to this track— destiny in the form of four personalities. Antony Noghès and his son Alex wanted a race in Monaco, but their first proposal, with track passing through other European countries, was denied by the Motor Racing authorities who insisted Monaco must have a racetrack within its own border. They had the determination to make it happen against all odds and teamed up with Louis Chiron, the famous Monegasque race driver who saw the potential in the streets of Monaco as a racing jewel. Reigning Prince Louis II wholeheartedly backed the idea of the race and financed its creation. The first Monaco Grand Prix debuted in 1929. Today, the final curve on the track is known as the « Virage Antony Noghès » after its creator.
The Grand VIPrix
And once you have a race on the streets of a Mediterranean luxury resort, you have the makings of one of the greatest party venues in earth. Yachts, the perfect place to watch the race and celebrate life, host exclusive parties, like the Force India yacht extravaganza, described as the most awesome party on the planet. During the Grand Prix, celebrities pour into the Principality, outnumbering the famous race drivers. Celebrities can be found on giga-yachts, in the Pits, and in the famous bars and night clubs. It is almost a rite of passage for magnates, film stars and singers to be seen at the Monte-Carlo Grand Prix. Starting with Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor, to today’ s A-list celebrities George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio, Monaco bursts at the seams with the « who’ s who » of the world. Previous years have seen iconic Director George Lucas in the Pits, exclusive yacht parties with Leonardo DiCaprio one year and Cameron Diaz another … Who will we see in 2018? Social media is a blur with posts of Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber and Jennifer Lopez; famous models’ Instagrams pulsating with Victoria’ s Secret divas Bella Hadid, and Adriana Lima— there are more stars than cars! Experience the magic: go dancing, go to the fashion shows, it is all there for every visitor— beauty on show as only the Monte-Carlo Grand Prix can provide. And, perhaps the ultimate sighting: Royalty— HSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene. And no Monaco Grand Prix is complete without sightings of the latest love trysts
Hello Monaco Spring – Summer 2018 / 57