Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski won the ATP Masters 1000 Doubles tournament in Rome. It is the pair’s first title as a team after defeat in the Australian Open final earlier this year.
Nys and Zielinski didn’t drop a set on their way to victory in Rome on Sunday. As they did throughout the tournament, the pair swept their opponents aside in the final, beating Botic Van de Zandschlup and Robin Hasse 7-6, 6-1.
Having narrowly missed out on a maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne in February, Nys now has his hands on his first piece of silverware in 2023, and becomes the first Monegasque to win a Masters 1000 title. The result also takes him and his Polish partner to the top of the rankings, asserting them as one of the favourites heading into Roland Garros.
“I feel great. I am very proud representing this federation, which has helped me for so many years. I am just so happy,” said Nys who, through victory in the Italian capital, dispels the disappointment of the Monte-Carlo Masters, where he exited in the first-round against the eventual winners of the iconic clay-court tournament.
Lucas Catarina wins in Sweden
Lucas Catarina added to a trophy-laiden weekend for the Monegasque Tennis Federation. The young Monegasque won the IFT Sweden F2 Futures tournament, beating home favourite Max Dahlin (1-6, 6-3, 6-7 [12-14]).
Catarina is one of many bright talents in what is a golden generation of Monegasque tennis. Nys’ exploits in Rome, as well as Romain Arneodo’s appearance in the Monte-Carlo Masters final in April, evidence the Principality’s capabilities of adding to the trophy cabinet further between now and the end of the year.
Charles Leclerc is preparing for his home race, the Monaco Grand Prix, and despite Ferrari’s travails this season, the Monegasque tells select local media he is confident of a result around the streets that he knows best.
It is within a completely different context that Leclerc returns to the Principality. The Ferrari driver has thus far failed to win his home race. The omens were positive last year; the Prancing Horse brand was arguably the fastest on the grid. But it was Sergio Perez who took the chequered flag, despite Leclerc securing pole position 24 hours earlier.
However, this year, Ferrari is trailing in the wake of a runaway Red Bull. Leclerc is currently seventh in the drivers’ standings with 34 points, 85 behind the current leader and reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
But in Monaco, Leclerc has a home advantage. In an interview with local media, including Monaco Life, the Ferrari driver looked back at the difficult start to the season, whilst also addressing rumours of a potential future departure from the Italian manufacturer.
How do you explain the difficult start to the year at Ferrari?
Unfortunately, the results speak for themselves. We’ve had a difficult start to the season. Between the first race where we had a mechanical issue when we were in third; the penalty in the second race, which saw us start 12th on the grid when we should have been second; the crash with Lance (Stroll) in the third race… little by little, we’re getting points again, but for sure it hasn’t been the start to the season we hoped for, but the season is still long. It’s in these moments that you have to keep your head up so that the team stays motivated. It’s a 23-race season so we’re really just at the start; and there is still everything to play for.
Ferrari at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office
Did you expect the lack of performance in the Ferrari, and what are the weaknesses in this year’s model compared to the 2022 single-seater?
We have a car that is doing exactly what we expected given our testing in Bahrain. We weren’t surprised when we got to the first race. We understood before then that Aston Martin was very quick, that Mercedes had good race pace, and that Red Bull would be difficult to catch because they had major steps in terms of race pace.
The major weaknesses? It’s too ‘picky’, meaning that it depends massively on the conditions. As soon as there is a change in wind or a change of temperature we’re straight out of the car’s optimal window so we lose a lot of performance relative to our opponents. It’s the balance we’re working on at the minute.
How do you explain Ferrari’s difficulties in fighting at the front of the grid, given that the team’s last World Champion was crowned all the way back in 2007?
It is a very competitive sport. If you go back in history a bit, there was the Red Bull period of dominance, and then unfortunately when the hybrid era came, Mercedes won everything. There have been regulation changes, and Ferrari have been able to catch up. Finishing second in the constructors and drivers championship last year was a big step forward. Clearly, this year we aren’t at the level we want to be.
I won’t go into trying to explain the past, because I only arrived in 2019 – in what was a difficult time for the team, as in 2020 we took a big step backwards, especially in terms of the engine. Since, we’ve just been trying to catch up with the teams ahead of us and now Red Bull are clearly the team to beat. Today, with the medium and long-term plans in place, and especially with Fred (Vasseur) in command, I have a lot of confidence.
Is Ferrari’s problem in car development or in its conception?
No, I think the objectives that were set clearly weren’t good. When we look at the car data in terms of what we expected of this car, honestly, it matches up. I simply think that the objectives set for the engineers weren’t good. This year, that shows because Red Bull made much bigger advances than us, especially in terms of race pace. It is more a problem of philosophy than development, I think.
How did you and the team experience what was a sad episode in Imola, Emilia Romagna, last week?
It wasn’t easy. It’s close to Ferrari’s home. The disaster happened just an hour away from there. I was on the road when I heard that the Grand Prix would be cancelled. I followed it from far away because, of course, we couldn’t be in situ because of all the damage at the Imola Circuit and its surroundings. It’s very sad. Ferrari made a big donation and I am working on a few things to try and help the region bounce back from such a catastrophe. I can’t go into details about what I’m doing, but you’ll see in the coming weeks.
Frédéric Vasseur at the 2023 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix from Scuderia Ferrari Press Office
Can you talk about your relationship with Vasseur, whom you’ve known since your karting days, and how he has changed race preparations?
I think in terms of preparing for the Grand Prix, there isn’t a big difference, as Fred isn’t here for that. That work is more directly with the engineers. He is here to motivate everyone, to bring the right people in, and see if we can strengthen by bringing people in from the outside. Where the big difference is, is the relationship between us. We’ve known each other for many years, and he’s really honest with me, and that is something that is lacking in Formula One.
When you come into the sport, you immediately have a lot of friends, but there are few that are truly honest in terms of performance and what they see. Fred is really honest and isn’t scared of saying things. That’s what I like personally.
In addition to that, he has a vision of the competition that I think is really good. Each time we speak about a specific situation, we share the same vision and that will help a lot in pushing everyone in the right direction and it will make the difference in terms of gaining points and working on the things we have to work on. We’re completely aligned, and it gives us confidence moving forward.
Red Bull have the quickest car, but here in Monaco, it’s the driver that counts more than the car…
I hope so! Monaco is one of these circuits where taking risks counts, and the driver can make the difference more than elsewhere. I hope this is the case. But it’s true that we’re not in the same situation as a year ago. Back then, we had a quick and consistent car on all circuits. This year, the Aston Martin has taken a big step forward, the Red Bull is of course on a different planet, especially in the race. But in Monaco, the quality of the driver is very important. I think we’ll have a shot in qualifying, and hopefully taking a few risks will pay off during that session and will allow us to start at the front.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene greet Charles Leclerc at the Monaco Grand Prix 2022. Source: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office
Why do you think the Ferrari found such good performance in Baku, and could the team emulate that here in Monaco?
I think Baku is a particularly difficult circuit, a bit like Monaco. I think, once again, drivers taking risks makes the difference. In addition, our car is one that works well around long corners, and I hope that will be the case once again in Monaco because there are lots of them here. So I hope the car will perform as well as in Baku. That was a weekend where I was at ease in the car.
We’re still lacking performance, and I think our qualifying pace masks that difference relative to the Red Bull, and our race pace brought us back to reality. The podium, the third place behind the Red Bulls, was huge! We’re speaking about a lot of time to make up, and Red Bull is still the team to beat. It’s true that the weekend in Azerbaijan was the most positive. It was nice to get a podium and a pole position, but we are still realistic. For now, Red Bull are on another planet and it’s up to us to catch them up.
Should you earn pole position, would you be confident of keeping the Red Bull behind you all race?
Everything is possible. You have to get the pole position first, and that will be difficult given they quite simply have a superior car. The Aston Martin has been really quick in certain races, and I’d expect them to have a quick car on the streets of Monaco as well. It won’t be easy! If I get pole at Monaco, everything is possible, there are still the pitstops and it’s there that there could be a difference. We’ll do everything we can to apply the pressure in qualifying and we’ll have a chance on Sunday.
How do you look back at your first Monaco Grand Prix, and how have you grown since?
I’ve grown a lot. Managing the outside solicitations, the media, family and friends, it can be overwhelming, and I learnt a lot from the first time. Then, on track, in Monaco you always learn; the more laps you do, the more you learn. You know the little tricks that you can do and I’m trying to help my brother (Arthur) with that. In the end, it’s the mental approach that changes. With experience, you change. You need to learn to be more patient, and at the beginning, I was very impatient, and you obviously want to do well at home.
Monaco Grand Prix 2022 Credit: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office
Your brother, Arthur, will be racing in the F2 race this weekend in Monaco. What advice did you give him?
I feel that he’s excited for it, and of course, can’t wait. I remember my first Monaco Grand Prix, and just how special it is. He just needs to make the most of it. I’ve advised him to protect himself as much as possible from outside requests because it’s true that in Monaco you can easily find yourself overbooked with all the friends and family that come. If it’s not well-organised, it can take up a lot of time and can take the mind elsewhere, and that isn’t the right time. You have to stay focused on the weekend; he knows that’s the priority.
It’s step-by-step. It’s natural that being home there is a lot of excitement. There are lots of things to do. To gain confidence on street circuits takes a lot of time and a lot of laps. It’s the most difficult circuit of the year. There’s nothing like doing a qualifying lap here, and I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.
Would you be interested in a move to Mercedes?
I won’t comment on specific rumours. But it’s something that is new to me. My arrival in Formula One was quite straightforward because I was announced straight away at Alfa Romeo and then to everyone’s surprise there was the announcement of my arrival at Ferrari early in the season. Since, there haven’t been doubts because I have a long contract at Ferrari.
There is talk because of the fact my contract expires next year. I’m trying to concentrate on what’s happening on the track because as I’ve already said, we’re not at the level we want to be. After that, we’ll see. I’ve always dreamed of being a Ferrari driver and today I’m in this incredible position. But you can’t hide it, I’m not happy where we are, Ferrari aren’t happy and we’re going to do everything together to try to get back to the best level. I really hope we do it together.
Charles Leclerc at the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix from Scuderia Ferrari Press Office
Do all the rumours around your future impact your day-to-day?
Honestly, it isn’t something that impacts me at all. I’ve already had it at the track where I’ve been asked what’s happening next year or the year after. For me, it’s clear in my head. I have a contract until the end of 2024 so there are still over 18 months left. That’s a long time. It’s not a discussion to have now. I want us to move forward and win the championship together. That doesn’t call into question my future and I hope to continue with Ferrari.
What are your objectives for the rest of the season, and when will be the time to talk about your future?
It’s hard to say about this year because we’ve been inconsistent since the start of the season. My current objective is just to put all my effort into improving this car so we can raise our expectations for the weekends.
Today, we arrive for the race weekend and we don’t know if we’ll be ahead of the Aston Martin or behind the Mercedes, so it’s very hard to set objectives. Firstly, the primary objective, for now, is to work with the team to have a platform to have a car that works in all conditions and not just within a specific window. That’s what we’re working on.
In terms of when to talk about my future, I haven’t set myself a deadline. We’ll see. No discussions have started. There are lots of rumours, but no discussions, so you’ll have to ask Fred (Vasseur) that question in terms of when he wants to start discussions with me. There’s still a lot of time left on my contract, so it’s normal that discussions haven’t started.
The Audi RS 6 GTO concept, which pays tribute to more than 40 years of quattro technology, will be unveiled to the public for the first time at Top Marques Monaco next month.
The concept is based on the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO of the 1990s but built for the future generation by a group of passionate apprentices in Neckarsulm, Germany, in 2020. A group of 12 third-year Audi Academy students with four different skill sets built and worked for 25 weeks alongside Audi designers and technical teams to bring the project to fruition.
The global launch of the Audi RS 6 GTO is the sixth world premiere confirmed for the 18th edition of Top Marques Monaco, taking place from 7th to 11th June at the Grimaldi Forum. Its participation was a closely guarded secret until Tuesday, when Audi France announced the presence of the long-awaited concept.
The Audi RS 6 GTO is the sixth world premiere confirmed for Top Marques Monaco this year. Photo source: Top Marques Monaco
The Audi RS 6 GTO concept will be joined on the podium by the QUANTiNO by nanoFlowcell, the very first electric roadster which runs without a battery; the IR8 Tribute by Dallara Stradale; not one by two restomod Ford Broncos from Florida and the FLEX by Venturi, a lunar Rover heading for the Moon with SpaceX in 2023.
“We are really thrilled that Audi has chosen Top Marques as the launchpad for its RS 6 GTO concept car,” Salim Zeghdar, the CEO of Top Marques Monaco, said. “Over the last few years, we have really worked on establishing the event as a recognized podium for global launches, and this, for me is a real sign of approval from the automotive industry.”
Audi’s concept car will be unveiled with the other world premieres at the official inauguration ceremony taking place at 5pm on Wednesday, June 7 in the presence of the press.
A VIP Opening Cocktail sponsored by Airbus Corporate Jets being held the same day at 8pm will give visitors an opportunity to view the vehicles ahead of the public opening on 8th June.
The Herculis EBS races are back in July and, this year, the roster is filled with world record holding athletes looking to better their times at the Stade Louis II.
Every summer, the Herculis EBS races attract some of the world’s biggest track and field names to the Stade Louis II to compete, often for world records. Here are just a few of the standout runners expected at this summer’s event.
FAITH KIPYEGON
The 1,500m women’s race is Kenyan Faith Kipyegon’s for the taking. Last year at Herculis, she missed out on the world record by a slim, and heart-breaking, three-tenths of a second. She will have her chance at redemption this summer as she looks to beat her own personal best for the year as well as perhaps take over that world record spot.
EMMANUEL KORIR
Another Kenyan, Emmanuel Korir, has established himself as the King of the 800m, having taken home the gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the World Championships in Oregon the following year. He is no stranger to the Monaco track, having raced in the 800m and 1,000m in the last two editions. Hopes are high for his success this summer.
5,000M HAS STIFF COMPETITION
In the 5,000m, the competition will be stiff, but a few names stand out. One is Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, who became World Champion last February and is looking to cross the finish line first again. He will get a serious run for his money from Ethiopian Behiru Aregawi, a world record holder in the 5,000m and the winner of the Wanda Diamond League in 2021 for the 5,000m. Also one to watch is France’s Jimmy Gressier, who has twice been European record holder in the 5,000m, in 2020 and 2023.
In addition to these races, there are also other exciting track and field events like the javelin throw, long jump, high jump, pole jump and lots of other running races.
The Herculis EBS is being held on 21st July and tickets are going for as low as €15. To reserve a spot or 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 Faith Kipyegon by Dan Vernon
New Brad Pitt gin, The Gardener, to feature in Monaco GP cocktail
The Gardener, a gin co-created by Brad Pitt and launched during the Cannes Film Festival, will be the key ingredient in the Hôtel Metropole’s Grand Prix signature cocktail, the Monaco Rush.
What better way to invoke the glamour of the Monaco Grand Prix than to imbibe a drink made from a superstar’s distillery at a luxurious hotel?
This is precisely the case with the Monaco Rush, an inspirational cocktail being offered at the Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo’s Lobby Bar that features The Gardener gin, a spirit created by Brad Pitt alongside the Perrin family and world-renowned distiller Tom Nichol.
FRENCH INSPIRATION
American actor Brad Pitt wanted to create a spirit “reflective of the place with which he fell in love”. He collaborated with former master distiller Tom Nichol, the second person ever to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gin Guild.
In addition to The Gardener gin, the Perrin family also produce Brad Pitt’s Miravel rosé.
The Gardener gin is a tribute to the Riviera.
Notes of fresh and dried citrus permeate, including grapefruit, lemon, and sweet and bitter oranges from the region around Cap d’Antibes. Add to this the inventiveness of the Metropole’s mixologists, who blend the gin with peach coulis and liqueur, blackcurrant cream, mint and lemon juice… And the Monaco Rush is born.
Described as “an elegant, refreshing and daring cocktail”, it will be found on the menu of the Lobby Bar from this week as the Grand Prix takes off.
The Gardener gin and the Monaco Rush. Photo credit: Studio Phenix
LAVISH SETTING
The cocktail, which costs €41, is just one reason to head to the Lobby Bar. Designed by Jacques Garcia, the space has a kind of private club atmosphere with décor combining tasteful objets d’art and antique books that give it the warm feeling of being in the sitting room of someone’s English country home.
Other charms include Yoshi, the only Japanese restaurant on the Côte d’Azur to have been awarded a Michelin star, which offers typically Japanese cuisine in a contemporary setting designed by Didier Gomez, and Odyssey, the lounge-restaurant imagined and designed by Karl Lagerfeld that serves modern Mediterranean cuisine.
So this Grand Prix weekend, when wondering where to go for elegance, glamour and a delicious cocktail, think no further than the Hotel Metropole and their new Monaco Rush.
Monte-Carlo Fashion Week’s 10th edition has come and gone with international fashion insiders, exciting local designers and top buyers all coming together to focus on creativity and sustainability.
True to the ethos of the Principality, Monte-Carlo Fashion Week (MCFW) presents not just gorgeous designer clothing and accessories, but ones that have sustainable, ethical and environmental standards at their hearts.
The 10th edition of the event, which was first created in 2013 by the president and founder of the Monegasque Chamber of Fashion, Federica Nardoni Spinetta, was a stand-out example.
Under the High Patronage of Princess Charlene and supported by the Monaco mairie, government and Tourism and Congress Department, it welcomed a plethora of high profile designers and speakers that included the likes of Benoît-Louis Vuitton, Corporate Director of Louis Vuitton, and Carlo D’Amario, CEO of Vivienne Westwood, who also walked away with the MCFW Ethical Business Award.
In addition to players in the fashion world, the event, which ran from 17th to 21st May, also had a bit of star power in the form of American actress Kelly Rutherford, best known for her role as Lily Van Der Woodsen in the hit series Gossip Girl, who attended the awards ceremony at the end of MCFW.
Runaways at The Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection
All throughout, runway shows of designers’ latest collections were held at HSH The Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection.
Simone Guidarelli opened MCFW with his exclusive collection, followed by Nardoni Spinetta’s own brand Beach & Cashmere Monaco, which was accompanied by shoes from Von Lowenstein. Other Monegasque names such as Marlea Monte-Carlo, FITME Monte-Carlo and Crisoni also presented their latest creations.
MCFW attracted a number of international designers and artists too, amongst them Laura Spreti and Collini Milano from Italy, British brand Velvet Pink Banana, India’s Runa Ray in collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Japanese Mami Okano and Brazilian artist Marcos Marin and Diana Mara.
Italian brand Genny, led by Sara Cavazza Facchini, closed the catwalk with a grande finale under the Grande Verrière du Grimaldi Forum.
Yacht Club de Monaco: a hub for discussion and pop-ups
Down on Port Hercules, the Yacht Club de Monaco hosted various conferences and pop-up boutiques from brands such as Thalie Paris, Flavia Fleming, Nicolò Tonetto, Ika Butoni, Ushak, Hemcael, Inessa Creations and Leslie Monte-Carlo, as well as several of the labels that featured in the catwalk shows.
The winners of MCFW 2023
The final night revealed the winners of this year’s MCFW accolades and seven exceptional companies were recognised for their achievements.
Fausto Puglisi from Roberto Cavalli was the recipient of the Legacy Award, whilst Sara Cavazza Facchini, Artistic Director at Genny, took home the Made-in-Italy Award, and Matteo Ward, CEEO and co-founder of WRAD, was granted the Positive Change Award.
Carlo d’Amario, CEO of Vivienne Westwood, was presented with the Ethical Business Award, Fashion Channel came away with the Visionary Award, Soya Chartier clinched the Made-in-Monaco Award, and finally, Beste was handed the Ethical Circularity Award.
“We are very satisfied with the course of Fashion Week and [are] proud to support international designers and fashion personalities by offering them the Principality of Monaco as a prestigious showcase to the world to present their collections and to give them a platform to discuss the importance of sustainable and circular fashion,” said MCFW’s founder, Nardoni Spinetta, after the closure of this year’s stellar event.
