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Month: May 2023

Formula One: Charles Leclerc on Mercedes “radar”

by: Luke Entwistle
04/05/2023

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has expressed an interest in bringing Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc to the team, but only “in the long-term”.

The German Team Principal, a Monaco resident, made the statement during a press conference ahead of Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix.

However, Wolff specified that Mercedes aren’t looking to bring the Monegasqueto the team any time soon. “He is on our radar, but not for the short or medium term,” he said.

“Charles is a super guy and in the long-term future, is someone that we always need to have on our radar,” continued Wolff.

Mercedes currently have a British duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell racing for the team. The former’s contract expires at the end of the season, but both parties are in talks over an extension. Russell is seen as part of the long-term future of a team that is looking to rebound after a difficult few months that has seen them slip down the grid.

Photo of Toto Wolff by MacKrys

Charles Leclerc to leave Ferrari at the end of the season?

However, is there a chance that Leclerc could leave Ferrari in the short term? The Monegasque, who has a contract with the Italian manufacturer until the end of 2024, has denied any talks about a move to Mercedes.

Asked if he had engaged in talks with the rival team, Leclerc replied: “No, not yet. Not for the moment”. However, there are rumours in the Italian media about a departure at the end of the current season, following comments from Red Bull’s Helmut Marko. The Austrian alluded to a clause, which left unfulfilled, could allow Leclerc to leave at the end of 2023.

“It seems that Leclerc can leave in September if he doesn’t have a certain number of points, and if Ferrari aren’t in the top four in the constructors. It, therefore, isn’t impossible to see Leclerc leave Ferrari at the end of 2023,” said La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

The Italian publication adds that Hamilton would either have to retire or make the opposite move and join Ferrari if Leclerc is to join Mercedes. Should Leclerc one day decide to leave the Prancing Horse brand, he won’t be short of options.

 

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Photo source Pixabay

EVER Monaco 2023: What’s new this year?

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/05/2023

This year’s sustainability event EVER Monaco will be the biggest yet, Bernard Fautrier revealed during a press event on Wednesday, with a larger exhibition area and new sections dedicate to electric air transport and digital.

EVER Monaco was created in 2006, making it the first event of its kind in Monaco to tackle the theme of sustainable transport and renewable energies.

It quickly became the benchmark for the sector and this year it will have the largest exhibition area in its history, EVER President Bernard Fautrier revealed during a press conference on Wednesday.

Fautrier, who is also Prince Albert’s Special Advisor in charge of environmental issues, says it has been exciting to watch the technological advancements over the years.

“12 to 15 years ago, there were a few crazy people who dared to use an electric car, and I was one of them,” Bernard Fautrier told Monaco Life. “It was still a problem to climb a hill, you weren’t sure you could reach the top. Now you can drive an electric car with the same performance as a car that runs on fuel. Technology is evolving so much faster. The idea of electric aerial vehicles a decade ago was simply incredible, now they are fast becoming a reality.”

For the third time, the organisers of EVER Monaco have chosen to exhibit at the Chapiteau (Big Top) in Fontvielle, the emblematic location of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival. But instead of elephants and flying trapeze troupes, visitors will this month find exhibitors at the forefront of a sustainable world, and start-up companies vying for a position in the lucrative clean mobility industry.

There will also be the popular Ride and Drive section, and two new additions: a space dedicated to NFTs and the metaverse, and another for aerial transport.

To accommodate this growth in participants, the exhibition space has been expanded to reach a record 10,000sqm.

Test the latest technologies

The Ride and Drive area will now be able to accommodate more than 40 vehicles, and it has been redesigned for a “smoother visit”.

There will even be an electric mini-excavator challenge for entertainment and demonstration.

The exhibition features not only two-wheelers and cars, but also electric buses, public works machinery, maintenance and heavy goods vehicles. Volvo, a sponsor partner for this year’s event, revealed that it will be showcasing three new vehicles at the exhibition: a 100% electric truck and two electric construction vehicles.

Fautrier says it is important for a destination like Monaco to support innovations that not only reduce C02 emissions, but also noise pollution.

“It is essential in a territory like we have, which is like an ampitheatre in which noise is a huge problem, to have electric machinery that reduces all types of pollution. It can really help to improve quality of life,” he told Monaco Life.

New for 2023: air transport

Organisers are this year embracing a new concept, sustainable air travel, with companies like Lilium exhibiting their innovative designs. Lilium is the developer of the electric vertical take-off and landing jet Lilium Jet. Its focus is a sustainable high-speed regional mode of transport, accessible for people and goods. Offering peak capacity, low noise and high performance with zero emission in operation, the Lilium Jet aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of air travel. 

NFTs and the metaverse

How will we be able to buy cars in the future? What are the digital tools to certify a vehicle’s documents? These are some of the questions that EVER Monaco will answer in a space reserved for specialist companies. Institutions, partners and specialists will be invited to speak on these new subjects, their progress and prospects for this broad field.

Electric motorsport

On 6th May, the Principality will host the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. A few days later, on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th, EVER Monaco will exhibit two single-seater electric race cars that have taken part in the series, showing how the technology has evolved since the race’s creation in 2014.

Today, the single-seaters on the track are third generation. At EVER Monaco, ‘Gen1’ cars from the Monegasque Venturi Formula E team will be on show, as well as ‘Gen2’ cars from the Nissan team.

Supporting innovative start-ups

More than 30 start-ups will be on show at EVER Monaco in the Start-ups Village, where they will be able to gain visibility, meet potential investors, obtain advice, seek partners, or even secure commercial contracts.

Initiated in 2018 and sustained since 2020 thanks to the collaboration IMT (Institut-Mines Télécom), MonacoTech and CSM (Scientific Center of Monaco), the start-ups will also have the opportunity to pitch their ventures in front of members of Monegasque institutions and partners who will offer prizes for the most innovative among them.

The award ceremony for the pitch competition will take place on Friday 12th at 3.30pm.

Continuing a path that Monaco has been on for over a century

“There has been a tradition for more than a century in Monaco to be at the forefront of innovation,” said Fautrier. “Albert I, for example, supported the development of road pavements and helicopters, among others, so I think we are oriented to trying to develop technologies that will have a positive impact on everybody, and electric vehicles are an example of that.”

The 18th edition of Ever Monaco will take place on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th May.

Photo by Monaco Life

Beefbar voted the world’s top steak house

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/05/2023
beefbar world best

Riccardo Giraudi’s Beefbar has been voted the ‘World’s best steak house with multiple locations’ in a new ranking of the finest steak restaurants around the globe.  

Beefbar has been a staple of the Monaco foodie scene since it was opened by Riccardo Giraudi back in 2005. The concept was simple: to serve up the best beef in a variety of ways, including tartare, burgers and steaks, but also to expand and think outside the box into street food and ethnic options. 

Its elegant atmosphere and location on Fontvieille’s port put it a cut above other steak houses, and soon the concept had expanded. Today, Beefbar boasts 32 locations and franchises in cities around the world, such as London, Paris, Milan, Athens and Dubai. 

TOP STEAK HOUSE 

Now, the newly released World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants has officially recognised Beefbar as the number one steak restaurant with multiple locations. Between 700 and 800 restaurants were assessed before the results were in, and though the competition was stiff, Beefbar stood out.  

“I am touched and honoured to receive such an award,” said owner Riccardo Giraudi. “After two decades of hard work to make Beefbar an international, global destination, all my gratitude goes to all our team members, on all continents, because they are the ones who made this possible.” 

In the individual restaurant listings, the London branch of Le Petit Beefbar was ranked 39 out of 100 of top steak houses globally. It was the brand’s highest solo restaurant ranking position.  

The Beefbar journey continues, with a new location set to open in June on the Greek island of Santorini.  

Read Monaco Life’s exclusive interview with Riccardo Giraudi here: 

Interview: Restaurant guru Riccardo Giraudi

  

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Photo courtesy of Beefbar Monaco

Monaco to host Financial Times’ Business of Luxury Summit

by: Elsa Carpenter
04/05/2023
Business of Luxury Summit

The Principality of Monaco: a place where the worlds of luxury and business meet seamlessly. So where better for the Financial Times to hold its annual Business of Luxury Summit?  

Set to take place later this month, from 21st to 23rd May at a variety of locations across the Principality, the Financial Times’ Business of Luxury Summit brings together leading executives, policymakers and entrepreneurs from across the luxury sector. 

“High stakes luxury” is the tagline, an exploration of how the sector can continue to grow against a global backdrop of geopolitical and economical turmoil as well as meeting changing consumer demands and sustainability regulations is the objective.  

The future of luxury

Over the course of two days, a plethora of big names will lead keynote speeches. Chaired by the Financial Times’ Fashion Editor Lauren Indvik, the multi-purpose event will see the likes of Prada Executive Director Lorenzo Bertelli discuss sustainability issues and Chloé CEO Riccardo Bellini talk about the rebirth of the brand in a new era. Diane von Furstenberg will look back on her impressive career, whilst a panel featuring Mulberry’s Thierry Andretta, Kerling’s Marie-Claire Daveu, SYKY’s Alice Delahunt and Bernstein analyst Luca Sola will consider “The Long View” of the luxury sector. 

Topics such as watches, menswear, beauty, millennials, technology, trends and how to get shoppers back into stores will all have their place among the many conferences and roundtables, which can be experienced in-person and digitally for those not able to make the trip.  

A gala dinner at Monte-Carlo Sporting will take place on Monday 22nd May; an intimate event ideal for networking and exchange with eminent figures of the luxury world.  

Physical passes cost €4,099 while “digital delegates” can gain access to the talks as well as a networking and community area for €399.  

For more information, please click here. 

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.

 

Photo of FT HTSI Editor Jo Ellison and Vogue Editor Edward Enninful courtesy of the Financial Times

Drought: “State of natural disaster” declared in 150 Riviera towns

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/05/2023
drought riviera

47 towns in the Alpes-Maritimes and 103 more in the Var have been declared as “natural disaster” areas by the French government due to the extent damages incurred by the extreme drought in 2022.  

The drought conditions in the region are wreaking havoc on more than just crops. The severity of the situation has also caused problems in people’s homes and properties in the forms of massive fissures, landslides and cracks in homes caused by earth movements brought on by the intense drought of last year.  

This has left homeowners in a state of flux with regard to making insurance claims. Many insurance providers will cover a government-declared natural disaster, but the state must first put out a decree declaring such a situation exists.  

This is precisely what has now occurred for some 47 towns in the Alpes-Maritimes and 103 in the Var. The list of places recognised as being in a “state of natural disaster” was published in the Official Journal on 3rd May.  

But this list of municipalities is not the end. Another is expected in the coming weeks, adding several more towns, including Nice, that were excluded in this round.  

Those that feature in the first list have 30 days to submit a claim with their insurers. Dates for any damage incurred are specific to each location, so make sure to check carefully before formally declaring.  

  

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Photo source: Lisa Dubois for Unsplash

Entertainment under the stars at Marina di Ventimiglia this summer

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/05/2023
cala del forte

Three live shows are to take place in July, proving the Marina di Ventimiglia is the place to be for cool Italian entertainment on hot summer nights.  

A stone’s throw from Monaco, Cala del Forte’s Marina di Ventimiglia is turning into a sought-after hotspot for events. 

The Marina Development Corporation has lined up three exciting live performances under the title of “Marina di Ventimiglia – Events Under the Stars” for July; each set to be a fun-filled night of music and comedy tinged with irrepressible Italian hospitality.  

SINGING, DANCING AND LAUGHS 

Events Under the Stars kicks off on 1st July at 9pm with Mario Biondi, the charming crooner who will be playing his get-up-and-move-those-hips hits as well as debuting some new material from his upcoming release. His tunes are reminiscent of another era, when music was joyful and life was uncomplicated, and his voice has a Barry White edge that is sure make the ladies, and maybe even some of the guys, swoon. To top it off, most of his songs are in English, which is a bonus for those who like a catchy tune they can sing along with.  

On 7th July at 9.30pm, iconic singer-songwriter-actress Fiorella Mannoia will perform. She has been a staple of the Italian entertainment scene since, at the age of 13, she was a stuntwoman on the film “Non cantare, spara!”. She will be showcasing her new tour, Luce, with jazz pianist Danilo Rea on a candlelit stage, evoking a powerful and sultry sense of romanticism to match the melodies the duo will present. 

Finally, on 8th July at 9.30pm, in a complete shifting of gears, comedian and cabaret artist Antonio Ornano will hit the stage for a stand-up called Anthology that will have audiences rolling in the aisles.  

MAKING ITS MARK 

The Marina is no stranger to hosting events, having already put on a series of “high-level cultural and food and wine events” as well as the successful food photography exhibition by Steve Curry.  

The area is part of the city’s urban regeneration project that has already seen significant development of the waterfront, including the state-of-the-art Monaco-linked port of Cala del Forte, restaurants, spas, hotels and residential housing.  

This new promotion will carry on in the same tradition of bringing high quality events to the region. Tickets for the concerts range from €30 to €50, and from €15 to €25 for the stand-up show. To secure a spot or for more information, email info@mdc.tl.  

 

SEE ALSO:

The ribbon is cut at Cala del Forte

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.

 

Photo source Cala del Forte