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Automotive Meccas: Monaco

The annual race at Monaco is a highlight on the Formula One calendar.

The Principality of Monaco is a mecca of wealth, excess, fame and fortune. It has its own Grand Prix and many current and previous Formula 1 glitterati can be found dotted around the streets and the apartments surrounding the famous harbor. The word ‘Monaco’ brings images of James Bond and screaming engines, the streets are not only paved with gold but they can be a little mean too, as Ayrton Senna found out in 1988.

Monaco has traditionally been the stomping ground of the rich and famous and Formula 1 drivers are very much among that number. David Coulthard famously owns the Columbus Hotel in Monaco, where he lives in between his BBC commentating career. But he is not the only F1 driver to lay an anchor down, plenty of them have in the past including such dynasties as the Rosbergs and the Piquets. Nowadays, though, it is the younger F1 drivers who are taking advantage of (dare I say it) lower tax, lots of sunshine and some spectacular nightlife on the French Riviera. The British duo of Jenson Button and Paul di Resta reside there as does Nico Rosberg (still) and the embattled FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
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driver Felipe Massa. Why is this relevant? Well, surely walking past such icons as these in the street makes Monaco unique as an automotive mecca.

The F1 track at Monaco has a unique flair.

The city streets are unique in Formula 1 motor racing and the drivers will admit as much. In the modern era of increased safety, huge runoff areas and specially designed barriers (even on the other street circuits) Monaco remains in the dark ages, and for one week a year we all accept it. It has the famous harbour and the tunnel that leads to it below the casino and it is here that Alberto Ascari crashed into the Mediterranean only four days before his death at Monza in 1955, the only other driver to crash into the harbour being Paul Hawkins in 1965. Of course, in recent history it is the antics of Ayrton Senna in his McLarenMcLarenUnited Kingdom, 1963 > present92 models
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that are most easily remembered, with the 1992 triumph over Nigel Mansell being a particular highlight. What is most certainly true is that there is quite possibly no other track on earth that can boast the iconic moments the tight and twisty streets of Monaco are endowed with.

One of the best events today is the Monaco Classic, not only does the principality cater for the modern day Formula 1 stars every year, but it also puts on the Monaco Classic every year where its wealthy residents can roll out their historic racers for the week before the main event. Here, the participants can enjoy a drink in the evening and maybe even a cigar and meet up with old friends, for many it is the Classic that is the highlight of the year. And, if you didn’t think that was enough, there is the Monte Carlo Rally to get the crowds and the fans on the edge of their seats. For the first time since 2008 the Monte Carlo Rally was back on the World Rally Championship calendar, although it spent three years on the Intercontinental Rally calendar in the mean time. But, the iconic images of the MinisAustin MiniUnited Kingdom, 1967 > 19895 series
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of Alex Issigonis taking victory in 1964 driven by Paddy Hopkirk. The mountain passes mixed with sliding rally cars are the perfect foil for the precise nature of the F1 paddock.

The iconic Mini-Cooper at the Monte Carlo Rally 1965.

When most of us go to Monaco for a visit though it is not to go to the Grand Prix or the Monte Carlo Rally, but it is to lap up the atmosphere and the huge wealth (no.1 for GDP in the world at $186,185 per capita). With that comes possibly the highest density of supercars in the world parked outside the world famous casino, home of James Bond. And, what can you do with one of these cars (apart from pose)? Well, you can take them up into the Alpine passes (the home of the Monte Carlo Rally) or along the famous A8 to the other home of the rich and famous: St Tropez.

It would be remiss to talk about Monaco without mentioning James Bond. The fact that the world’s most famous secret agent/film character is so inextricably linked with the principality tells us two things: firstly that Monaco has the history and secondly that it still has it. There are few scenes more iconic that James Bond racing down from the mountains in his famous Aston Martin DB5Aston Martin DB5 James BondUnited Kingdom, 1964 > 19643 photos
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to play baccarat at the casino. And simply, that is what Monaco embodies: Wealth, excess, fast cars, fast women and mega stars.