Formula E is more than just a race—it’s a high-stakes battle of strategy, energy management and raw speed. Few understand this better than Maximilian Günther, the DS Penske driver fresh off a thrilling victory in Jeddah. At just 27, he’s already made a name for himself as one of the most skilled drivers on the grid, and this season, with the introduction of the Gen3 Evo car, the stakes are higher than ever.
In this episode, Max joins Monaco Life’s Cassandra Tanti at the iconic Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo to share what it takes to win in the world’s most competitive electric racing series. He talks about his journey to Formula E, the evolution of the Gen3 Evo car and what it’s like to race on the legendary streets of Monaco—his home circuit.
Listen or watch now for a deep dive into the electrifying world of Formula E with Maximilian Günther.
Smakelijk! at Le Méridien Beach Plaza is now serving Frites Atelier’s gourmet fries, as well as the brand’s famous Dutch potatoes and inventive toppings, alongside delicious Belgian beer pairings.
Frites Atelier, the Belgian gourmet fries concept founded by Chef Sergio Herman, has been added to the menu at Smakelijk!, the Belgian brasserie at Le Méridien Beach Plaza in Monaco. The new offering introduces a selection of fries with various toppings to the restaurant’s carte, as well as croquettes, in a setting that combines traditional Belgian brasserie elements with a contemporary approach.
A selection of Frites Atelier’s offerings at Smakelijk!. Photo by Monaco Life.
A closer look at the menu
Monaco Life sampled the Frites Atelier selection on 6th March, starting with croquettes featuring cheese, beef and shrimp. The fries followed, served with different toppings, including one of the standout options: shredded beef, red chimichurri, mayonnaise, fried onions and parsley. Another notable combination is fries with mussels, saffron aioli and garlic shoots, offering an inventive twist to the classic moules-frites dish.
“This partnership is about offering something distinctive in Monaco,” says Vincent Clinckemaillie, General Manager of Le Méridien Beach Plaza. “Frites Atelier is known for its craftsmanship, and we are thrilled to bring that level of quality to Smakelijk!.”
Frites Atelier was founded in 2016 and is known for its creative use of Dutch potatoes, which have been specially selected for their “crispy on the outside and soft on the inside” texture. The fries are cooked using a method that aims to preserve these characteristics while incorporating high-quality toppings such as 18-month-aged Parmesan with fresh truffle and a nachos-inspired combination of American cheese, Jack Daniel’s sauce, bacon, pickles and jalapeños.
“With Frites Atelier, we’re able to present one of Belgium’s most iconic dishes in a new way,” shares Laurent Colin, Culinary Director of Le Méridien Beach Plaza.
Prices range from €8 for a standard portion to €22 for the most elaborate versions. The Frites Atelier menu is available every day except during brunch at Smakelijk!, and no reservation is required.
A Paris-Brussels, a variation of the Paris-Brest dessert. Photo by Monaco Life
To accompany the fries, Monaco Life sampled three Belgian beers, with a sommelier providing recommendations for pairings based on the toppings. The combination of fries and beer can amount to around €30 per person for a full meal.
The tasting concluded with a dessert workshop, where attendees could prepare their own Paris-Brussels dessert—a variation of the Paris-Brest. These workshops are available during Sunday brunch and are primarily aimed at children.
Check out Monaco Life’s Frites Atelier reel below:
A team of researchers from Monaco and beyond has discovered how extreme heatwaves are disrupting the microscopic life that helps Mediterranean red corals survive.
The Mediterranean’s iconic red coral, Corallium rubrum, is facing a new challenge: marine heatwaves. A team of scientists, including Denis Allemand, Christine Ferrier-Pagès, and Romie Tignat-Perrier from the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM), has uncovered how these extreme temperature events are changing the coral’s tiny microbial partners, potentially making it harder for them to cope with climate change.
The research, carried out in collaboration with Chanel and supported by the Monaco Government, focused on the coral’s eukaryome—the community of microscopic organisms living inside it. By studying 56 coral colonies from different parts of the Mediterranean, the scientists found that healthy corals host a stable mix of microbes, including certain dinoflagellates and ciliates. But in corals exposed to heatwaves, this balance shifts, with other microorganisms—some potentially harmful—becoming more dominant.
One of the biggest challenges for the team was figuring out how to study these microbes without interference from the coral’s own genetic material. To solve this, they designed special genetic primers that filtered out coral DNA, allowing them to get a clearer picture of how heat stress affects the coral’s microbial community. The study also suggests that these tiny organisms might be competing with or even preying on each other, further complicating how corals respond to heatwaves.
With Mediterranean waters getting hotter more often, understanding how these corals and their microbial partners react is more important than ever. The research highlights the urgent need to protect these ecosystems before climate change pushes them past the point of recovery.
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Better concealed, more effective: France to roll out network of stealth speed cameras
France is set to roll out a network of more discreet speed radars capable of detecting multiple violations as part of broader efforts to curb road accidents and tighten traffic enforcement on the nation’s roads.
France is introducing a new generation of speed radars designed to be better concealed while also being capable of detecting multiple traffic violations at once. According to Connexion France, these devices, known as équipement de terrain urbain (ETU), are smaller than traditional speed cameras and can be installed on existing urban infrastructure such as lampposts. Unlike the current cameras used on many French roads, they do not have visible flashes, making them less noticeable to drivers.
The primary purpose of these radars is to improve road safety, particularly in high-risk areas, by encouraging compliance with traffic regulations. Connexion France reports that these cameras can concurrently detect speeding and red-light violations, but future upgrades could expand their capabilities to identify offences such as illegal parking, failure to wear seat belts, and mobile phone use while driving.
This development follows the recent news that, beginning in spring 2025, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region will roll out unmarked speed camera cars to monitor secondary roads. A total of 126 unmarked vehicles will be deployed across southern France, primarily targeting speeders on roads with limits of 80 to 90 km/h.
Trials of the new speed camera system began in cities including Toulouse, Metz and the Territoire de Belfort department, with successful results leading to further installations in Montbéliard, Marseille, Montpellier and Lyon. Drivers caught speeding in urban areas face a €68 fine and a one-point deduction from their driving licence, while running a red light results in a €135 fine and the loss of four points.
France currently has around 4,160 fixed speed cameras nationwide. According to the Institute for European Traffic Law (IETL), the government has allocated €46.3 million in the 2025 budget for maintaining and upgrading domestic speed enforcement measures. This includes integrating artificial intelligence to improve detection accuracy.
This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to reduce road fatalities. According to ReportLinker, a market research platform that compiles and analyses global data from various industry reports and government sources, 3,190 people lost their lives on French roads in 2024. There were 3,167 fatalities in 2023.
The Expositive art exhibition is returning for its second edition, once again giving a platform to artists living with HIV to share their stories through creativity. Organised by Fight Aids Monaco and the Kamil Art Gallery, and under the High Patronage of Princess Stéphanie, this year’s exhibition will feature the work of French artist Jordane Saget alongside pieces created by members of the association.
Following the success of its debut edition, Expositive 2 will centre around the theme ‘Les Lignes de l’Espoir‘ (The Lines of Hope). Saget, known for his distinctive intertwining lines, will guide participants through a series of creative workshops in March, allowing them to explore their own artistic expression within his signature style. The results of this collaboration will be unveiled at a vernissage on 24th April at Kamil Art Gallery, before the exhibition opens to the public from 25th April to 12th May.
For Kamil, the founder of Kamil Art Gallery, this second edition marks an important step in deepening the connection between art and personal expression. “We believe art has the power to transform lives and create meaningful dialogue. ‘Les Lignes de l’Espoir’ is about resilience, strength, and the unbreakable spirit of those who face daily challenges. We are honoured to continue this journey with Fight Aids Monaco and Jordane Saget,” he said in a statement.
Jordane Saget, who will be working closely with the participating artists, sees his distinctive linear art as an open structure, inviting personal stories to take shape within it. “My lines cross, intertwine, and respond to one another, but their true power comes from the stories that inhabit them,” he explained. “Through this project, I want to offer a framework that the participants can integrate into and transform in their own way. More than just an exhibition, this is about creating together, about sharing emotions and experiences through art.”
Princess Stéphanie, president of Fight Aids Monaco, has also spoken about the exhibition’s role in fostering understanding and breaking down barriers. “Living with HIV is a daily challenge, but it is also a lesson in courage, resilience, and dignity. These artworks are not just to be admired; they invite us to feel, to understand, to see differently,” she said ahead of the event.
With its blend of artistic talent and powerful storytelling, Expositive 2 is set to be a moving and thought-provoking event. More than just an exhibition, it is an invitation to look beyond the canvas and into the lives of those who use art as a voice, a release, and a symbol of hope.
Formula E is more than just racing—it’s a “high-speed chess match” where drivers must balance precision, strategy and raw speed to come out on top. And no one knows that better than 27-year-old Maximilian Günther.
Fresh off his thrilling victory in Jeddah, the DS Penske driver spoke to Monaco Life’s Cassandra Tanti about what it takes to win in this ultra-competitive series. From settling into his new team to adapting to the Gen3 Evo car, Max gives us an inside look at the electrifying nature of Formula E and what it’s like to race on the iconic streets of Monaco—his own backyard.
Listen to the podcast, read on for the interview, or scroll to the end to watch the interview in full:
Maximilian, thanks for joining us at Monaco Life and congratulations on your win in Jeddah. Tell us about the race itself. It was thrilling to watch, but what was it like from behind the wheel?
Thank you. It was a very special moment—our first win for the DS Penske team and myself, and only our third race together. A night race in Jeddah creates an incredible atmosphere, and it was a fantastic weekend overall.
Street circuits are always special, and under the lights, the race felt even more unique—a real spectacle for fans, teams and drivers. I started from pole position and led the first half, but around the pit stop window, I lost several places and dropped to P9. Things weren’t exactly going to plan, but we stayed calm, fought our way back step by step and on the last lap, I overtook Oliver Rowland (Nissan) to take the win. It was an emotional and great moment.
Maximilian Günther at his 2025 Formula E win in Jeddah. Photo credit: DPPI Images
And I believe that broke a 17-race streak where the pole sitter hadn’t won?
Yes, that’s correct. In Formula E, energy management is crucial. If you’re leading, it’s much harder to save energy efficiently. Before this race, for 17 consecutive races, the driver starting from pole hadn’t gone on to win, but we finally broke that streak.
The evolution of the Gen3 Evo car
This season, Formula E introduced the Gen3 Evo car, which is being hailed as a major step forward. From your perspective as a driver, what are the biggest improvements in handling, speed and performance?
First of all, visually, the car looks different—it has an upgraded aerodynamic body kit. But the biggest difference is underneath: it’s now four-wheel drive, which makes a huge impact.
On one hand, it makes us faster over a single lap because we have much more traction. On the other hand, it changes race strategy significantly. Everyone has to use Attack Mode for eight minutes during a race, and in the past, activating it would cost us one or two seconds without much advantage. But now, with this extra power, we can make up that lost time very quickly, which is why you see so many more overtakes this season.
We also have new tyres this year, which handle differently, and that’s always a crucial factor in racing. Altogether, there have been a lot of changes—plus the introduction of fast-charging pit stops.
That’s an interesting point. Pit stops aren’t a routine part of Formula E races, so why are they being introduced now?
Well, it is really great to see the evolution of Formula E. Unlike other racing series, pit stops haven’t been a standard part of Formula E, but what we’re doing now is showcasing how rapidly EV technology is advancing.
With the new fast-charging pit stops, we can recharge 10% of the battery in just 30 seconds, which is a significant improvement. It demonstrates how efficient electric vehicle charging technology has become, and at the same time, it makes the races even more exciting. We already saw that in Saudi Arabia.
The new Gen3 Evo car has given drivers even more pace. Photo credit: DPPI Images
Well, isn’t that the whole purpose of Formula E? It’s about proving that electric vehicles can be high-performance machines while also promoting sustainability.
Absolutely. Formula E is the most modern racing series right now, and sustainability is at the core of its message, but at the same time, the performance potential of these cars is huge.
For example, we already have 0 to 100 km/h acceleration times under two seconds, which is faster than a Formula 1 car. And that’s just the beginning—there’s a bright future ahead. Formula E is already one of the biggest racing championships in the world, and it’s only going to grow.
Energy regeneration and racing strategy
Let’s talk about energy regeneration. The Gen3 Evo car gains energy from both the front and rear motors. How does that influence your strategy as a driver?
Basically, there are two ways to drive in Formula E. The first is the obvious one: driving as fast as possible. That’s what we do in qualifying. But in the race, it’s completely different—we have to be as efficient as possible the entire time.
We start with 100% battery, but if we drove flat out every lap without saving energy, we would run out about four or five laps before the finish. They do that on purpose, so we have to drive smartly, using energy as a strategic tool.
Every lap, we lift off before braking zones to save energy, and then every time we brake, we regenerate power back into the battery. That’s what makes these cars so energy-efficient.
The key in a race is choosing the right moments to attack and overtake—because that uses extra energy—and knowing when to save. It’s like playing chess while driving a high-speed race car. You need to be smart, communicate with the team and execute the strategy perfectly.
Maximilian Günther raced with Maserati MSG Racing for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, then signed with DS Penske for the 2024/25 season. Photo credit: DPPI Images
Maximilian Günther’s path to Formula E
Tell us about your journey. You started in karting, like most race car drivers, but at what stage did you decide Formula E was your future?
Racing became my passion when I was six-years-old, and from then on, my dream was always to become a professional driver. It’s a long journey, but once you make it, it’s incredibly rewarding.
“Almost every team and driver combination has a chance to fight for wins and podiums, which is rare in other series.”
I chose Formula E because it’s one of the most competitive championships in the world. Almost every team and driver combination has a chance to fight for wins and podiums, which is rare in other series. Plus, we get to race in some of the most amazing cities worldwide. The cars are incredibly fun to drive—complex, technical and challenging to set up. That combination makes Formula E a fascinating championship to be part of.
What’s the top speed of a Formula E car?
Right now, it’s around 270 to 280 km/h, depending on the track. That might not seem high compared to Formula 1, but because we race on street circuits with shorter straights, acceleration is much more important than outright top speed.
With the upcoming Gen4 car, we’re expecting another huge jump in performance, including higher top speeds. That will be the biggest step forward for Formula E so far.
Maximilian Günther is looking forward to the next generation Formula E car, the Gen4, which will be even faster and more efficient. Photo credit: DPPI Images
And when will the Gen4 car debut?
In about one and a half years. Everyone’s looking forward to it because we’re already setting records for acceleration, and with the next generation, we’ll push those limits even further.
Monaco and racing at home
Monaco is hosting its first double-header this year. How does that change the race weekend for you as a driver?
It makes it much more intense! A Formula E race day is already very compact—we start early in the morning with free practice, qualify before lunch and then race in the afternoon. In other series, the schedule is more spread out, but for us, everything happens in one day.
A double-header means we go through that whole process twice in one weekend. That means less sleep, late-night analysis sessions with the team and rapid decision-making. But it’s fun because we get to race twice in a city like Monaco, which is always special.
And you’ve lived in Monaco for five years. How does it feel to race on streets you drive on every day?
That’s what makes it so special. I grew up watching my racing idols compete on this track, and now, to be racing on these same streets myself is incredible.
It’s also nice to wake up in my own apartment, have breakfast at home and then head straight to the track. That’s not something you get to do at most races!
Monaco Formula E Grand Prix 2024. Photo source: Formula E
Looking ahead
Finally, what are your personal goals for this season?
Every year, I aim to be better than the year before. My long-term goal is to win the Formula E World Championship, and with DS Penske, I feel like I have the right team around me to make that happen.
And of course, winning in Monaco is high on the list too!
Watch the full interview at the Hôtel de Paris below…
