Oliver WhiteRegular reader and commenter Christine has just told the world that she loves Monaco, and presumably cannot wait ’til next weekend’s Grand Prix at the famous circuit. This got me thinking about the race, the city and the emotions that go with the descent of F1 in the little hideaway on the French coast, and that is why this post has been written…
The race is very popular and is sold out each and every year. Teams use the glitz and the glamour associated with the Principality to wine and dine sponsors and guests. It is their time to show off to the world and reiterate that Formula One is the pinnacle of international motorsport.
For sure, Formula One can be too political at times, and issues often mask the actual event of racing. But the heritage behind the sport always shines through, and despite what may or may not be happening in the background, F1 will always remain close to the fans hearts – particularly so at Monte Carlo.
Monaco seems to bring dormant emotions out of people more than at other races. Maybe it is the fact that the circuit is very different to others? Maybe it is because Monte Carlo is the haven for ‘Playboy drivers’ along with the mega-rich and mega-famous?
Whatever the reason, Monaco is special, and I want you to tell me why it is special for you.
Is it the glamour? Is it the number of incidents that happen during the race? Is it because the place just looks gorgeous, or is it because they have the best pit-babes?
Speak your mind and share your thoughts. I love Monaco because…
I love Monaco because…
…it is such an un-natural environment to race F1 cars. The circuit is tight and twisty and surrounded by armco barriers. I love the fact that the tiniest of errors can result in the clipping of the barrier and total destruction of the rear end.
The place is simply beautiful, and photographers must love the shots they get, particularly with the harbour.
Monaco also has a lot of history. Whilst the new tracks like Shanghai and Bahrain are fantastic, they don’t capture the imagination like Monaco. It is almost like they are the new and efficient – but sterile – breed, and Monaco is the old wild dog that is unpredictable and likes to ruffle feathers when no one expects it.
I love Monaco because…
beyond what Ollie has already said, the barriers, the impossibly tight hairpin, but the tunnel always has a trick or two – in good weather, the drivers are suddenly plunged into relative darkness, in bad weather it’s a sudden break from the wet track and a sudden change in grip…
i love monaco because…
…according to m. brundel – way back when, at the end of a session, lack of garage space meant it necessary for formula 3 drivers to drive their cars back through the streets of the principality to garages far, far away. the roads had by then been opened to regular road users, so the drivers would have to stop at the lights in their racecars and queue amongst the traffic melting their engines.
you wouldn’t get that anywhere else but monaco.
I love Monaco because…
You pan across a stretch of gorgeous water, littered with yachts. The boats, the streets, the balconies are overflowing with a who’s who of the rich and famous.
You focus on a small tunnel crossing another small stretch of tarmac. It doesn’t look special, it’s just a road. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a roaring mass of metal and wheels comes flying out of the darkness, whips past the normalness of the street and is gone again.
It’s perfect. The scenery, the track, the incidents. Even bright red cars can make a tiny mistake and end up limping from the tunnel with one wheel hanging off.
Monaco takes every single thing you love about Formula 1, and turns it up three notches.
I love Monaco because…
It’s Monaco !! Not Silverstone, not Spa, Not Shanghai, not anything else.
The roads, the tunnel, the sea, the yatches, the homes, the narrow drives, the twist & turns, the crashes, the winning, the losing, the man and the machine.
The best part is the familiarity with the tarmac … that it’s the nearest cousin of where even we drive everyday.
That’s what Monaco is to me.
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