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Day: 7 April 2025

F1: Leclerc frustrated with P4 after “lonely” race at Japanese Grand Prix

by: Elsa Carpenter
07/04/2025
Japanese Grand Prix Leclerc Ferrari

Monaco-born Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has lamented not having enough performance in his SF-25 car to challenge the front-runners at the Japanese Grand Prix after finishing in P4 behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and the two McLarens.

Charles Leclerc finished where he started at Suzuka on 6th April. He began on the second row and crossed the line still in P4, a position he admitted post-race “is not a result we are ever satisfied with”.

The Japanese Grand Prix was largely uneventful for the Monegasque driver. He maintained his starting position before heading into the pits on Lap 22. He rejoined in 10th place before making his way back up the grid as his competitors made their own pit stops.

By Lap 31 of 53, he was back in P4, and then the order was set. Max Verstappen took the win for Red Bull, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri hot on his heels. Behind the Top 3 came Leclerc, followed by George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes, and his Ferrari teammate, Lewis Hamilton.

A post-race report from Ferrari acknowledged: “[Leclerc] was losing a few tenths a lap to Max Verstappen in the Red Bull and the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, so he was unable to mount an attack for a podium finish.”

The team accepted that the car’s lack of pace was “making the difference between fighting for the win or being down in the midfield”.

“The team will be working hard with the aim of getting more out of the car package,” reads the report. “The SF-25 needs to be better balanced, and tyre management also requires work. A chance to improve presents itself immediately as the World Championship moves on to Bahrain next week for Round 4.”

Leclerc’s own post-race comments appeared to reflect this view.

“It was a bit of a lonely race for me today,” he said. “P4 is not a result we are ever satisfied with, but looking at the positives of this weekend, the work we did on Friday in terms of set-up adjustment and the learnings we take into the next races have paid off. We made good progress, but we have to keep our heads down and keep working before we come to any conclusions. The front-runners still have quite an advantage in terms of pace. For now, we have to focus on maximising the points we bring home, which we did today, and hopefully later in the season we can fight for the top positions.”

Ferrari ultimately came away from Suzuka with 18 points, the team’s biggest race tally yet in what has so far proved to be a difficult season for the Italian manufacturer and its drivers.

Read related:

F1: Leclerc and Hamilton disqualified in disastrous Chinese Grand Prix for Ferrari

 

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre

Monaco adopts new national strategy as it pushes to exit FATF grey list

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/04/2025

Monaco has formally adopted its National Strategy and Action Plan for 2025–2027, setting out a clear framework for its removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

The inaugural meeting of the Collège of the Comité de Coordination et de Suivi de la stratégie nationale de lutte contre le blanchiment de capitaux took place on Monday 7th April, under the presidency of Pierre-André Chiappori, Monaco’s Minister of Finance and Economy.

The session marked an important moment in Monaco’s continued efforts to strengthen its regulatory framework, particularly following the submission of its first progress report to the Financial Action Task Force (GAFI) since being placed on the grey list in April 2024. The FATF grey list includes jurisdictions under increased monitoring for strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

During the meeting, Chiappori acknowledged the significant work accomplished across multiple sectors in recent months and commended the commitment of the relevant authorities. “Collective effort must be maintained,” he said, pointing to the upcoming discussions between the Monegasque delegation and the FATF’s International Co-operation Review Group (ICRG), scheduled for later this month.

A key outcome of the meeting was the unanimous adoption of the National Strategy and its accompanying Action Plan for the 2025–2027 period, which will serve as the roadmap for Monaco’s continued reforms in the areas of anti-money laundering (AML), combating the financing of terrorism (CFT), the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and anti-corruption.

See also: 

GRECO reforms in motion as Monaco’s anti-corruption committee meets

 

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo credit: Stephane Dana, Government Communication Department

Prince Albert II champions #WhiteCard 2025 campaign for children affected by conflict

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/04/2025

Prince Albert II has led the launch of the #WhiteCard 2025 campaign in Monaco, reinforcing the Principality’s strong commitment to using sport as a tool for peace, as well as his own personal dedication to the cause.

From Prince Albert and local government officials, including Acting Minister of State Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, to personalities from the world of sport, such as AS Monaco Basketball’s hotshot Mike James, the official launch of Peace and Sport’s #WhiteCard campaign for 2025 has enjoyed an outpouring of support from all corners of the Principality.

The #WhiteCard campaign was first launched by the Monaco-based charity Peace and Sport in 2015. Over the years, it has become a worldwide movement supported by athletes, advocates, world leaders and decision-makers.

The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the plight of children in conflict zones, with supporters encouraged to raise a white card in a gesture of promoting peace and then share their image online. The campaign is driven by the hard facts that 460 million children currently live in war and conflict zones, with their education, safety and opportunities threatened on a daily basis. Peace and Sport is dedicated to promoting sport as an important vehicle for building skills such as respect and teamwork, and the #WhiteCard initiative seeks to make these voices heard and draw global attention to the needs of disadvantaged youth.

On 26th March, Prince Albert was pictured with a white card alongside Joël Bouzou, Peace and Sport’s founding chairman, and two celebrated taekwondo practitioners: Zakia Khudadadi, who represented Afghanistan at the 2020 Summer Paralympics before joining the Refugee Team at the 2024 Games in Paris and winning bronze, and Marlène Nidecker, a French Olympic medallist.

Khudadadi was recently named a Champion for Peace by Peace and Sport. She joins a prestigious group of international athletes such as Didier Drogba, who is the Vice President of Peace and Sport, Grace Geyoro, Cheick Cissé, Siya Kolisi, Clarisse Agbegnenou and Egan Bernal. All have become advocates for the charity organisation and its objectives of promoting the role of sport in driving positive societal change.

Speaking to the local press at the launch of #WhiteCard 2025, Prince Albert said, “It’s a campaign that has been running for 10 years now and has made a big impact around the world. We saw this with the number of participants last year, and we hope it will be the case again this year. Almost 500 million children are affected by conflict zones [and] sport can help create spaces of well-being for these children, spaces where they can come together. It is an extremely strong, extremely powerful vehicle for peace, so that all these young people can aspire to a better world. I’m extremely happy and proud to be taking part in this event.”

For more information on Peace and Sport as well as #WhiteCard, click here.

Read related:

Championing change: Prince Albert II salutes sporting heroes at 2024 Peace and Sport Awards

 

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Pictured left to right: Joël Bouzou, Peace and Sport’s founding chairman; Zakia Khudadadi; Prince Albert II of Monaco; and Marlène Nidecker. Photo credit: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Communications Department

Hellenic Community of Monaco honours tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas

by: Niki Borisova
07/04/2025
Stefanos Tsitsipas Hellenic Community of Monaco

The Greek tennis star and three-time winner of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, Stefanos Tsitsipas, has been honoured by his compatriots at the Hellenic Community of Monaco (CHM) with a special dinner in Monaco. The event, which took place in the run-up to the tournament, paid tribute to his achievements, with CHM President Ekaterini Lanara lauding his “passion, dedication and unwavering spirit”.

On 3rd April, Monaco Life joined members and friends of the Hellenic Community of Monaco who had gathered at Marius in Port Hercule for an event honouring Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is currently ranked World No. 8 as a Singles player.

Tsitsipas, who was born in Athens in 1998, is one of tennis’ most recognisable figures, and the dinner was a celebration of his achievements, notably his three Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters titles from 2021, 2022 and 2024. He has enjoyed success already in 2025; he won the Dubai Tennis Championships in March, securing his first ATP 500 title by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final.

Read a 2024 Monaco Life interview with the star: Road to Olympic glory: Stefanos Tsitsipas on training, determination and dreams

During the event, which was also supported by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and its figurehead, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, CHM President Ekaterini Lanara delivered a moving speech that spotlighted both Tsitsipas’ contributions to Greek sport and his connections to Monaco.

“[His] achievements are more than just a testament to skill and perseverance, they are a celebration of passion, dedication and an unwavering spirit,” said Lanara. “He began playing tennis at the age of six, driven by a deep love for the sport. With the support of his parents, he rose through the ranks, reaching World No. 1 in the junior circuit in 2016. Since then, he has firmly established himself in the Top 10 of the ATP rankings and holds three Monte-Carlo titles to his name.”

Tsitsipas then took to the floor himself, expressing his gratitude to the community, saying, “I always remember my roots, where I come from and my values. I promise you that I will represent those as best as I can, with some good tennis and good spirit during the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.”

He also took time to engage with attendees, signing rackets and tennis balls for members of the community.

Tsitsipas will open his Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2025 campaign in the first round against Australia’s Jordan Thompson on 8th April. He is already through to the Round of 16 in the Doubles, having defeated the USA pairing of Evan King and Christian Harrison with his younger brother, Petros, on 6th April.

To see more photographs of the Stefanos Tsitsipas event, click on the images below:

Check out Monaco Life’s reel of the evening too!

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Pictured in the main photo: Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Ekaterini Lanara

All photos courtesy of the Hellenic Community of Monaco

Le Café Lacoste offers preview of summer pop-up at Le Méridien Beach Plaza

by: Niki Borisova
07/04/2025

Against the backdrop of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, Lacoste offered a preview of its upcoming summer pop-up café at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, attended by tennis stars Grigor Dimitrov and Daniil Medvedev.

A day before the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tournament began, Monaco Life attended the pre-launch of Le Café Lacoste at Le Méridien Beach Plaza on 4th April.

The event marked the start of a new collaboration between Lacoste and the Monaco-based Giraudi Group, and provided its VIP guests with a preview of the Le Café Lacoste pop-up, which will open at the hotel in early summer.

Guests were introduced to a curated menu inspired by Lacoste’s sporting heritage, featuring classic club sandwiches, reimagined desserts and cocktails that nod to the legacy of the brand’s founder, René Lacoste.

The desserts at Le Café Lacoste, shaped like the brand’s iconic crocodile logo, reflect the playful yet refined spirit of the pop-up. Photo by Monaco Life

Among the drinks served was Le Chose, a cocktail based on a 1967 Lacoste creation enjoyed at the famous Chantaco Golf Club in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Signature lattes, featuring pistachio and vanilla, were also part of the offering.

Tennis players Grigor Dimitrov and Daniil Medvedev, who are taking part in the ongoing 2025 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, were both present for the occasion and were seen chatting on the red Lacoste swing installation by the sea.

Tennis icons Daniil Medvedev and Grigor Dimitrov share a moment at the launch of Le Café Lacoste. Photo courtesy of Lacoste

“Our aim with this collaboration was to offer a unique experience, combining freshness, balance, and bold flavours,” said Thierry Paludetto, Executive Chef for the Giraudi Group. “Each dish reflects the elegance and energy of the brand, that French flair, through exceptional ingredients and daring pairings.”

Le Café Lacoste will open as a pop-up at Le Méridien Beach Plaza in early summer, offering a seasonal experience that blends style, food and the brand’s distinctive sporting identity.

Check out more photos of the event below…: 

… And Monaco Life’s reel too!

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photos courtesy of Lacoste

Local Entreparents group to host conference on screen use and digital dependency among minors

by: Niki Borisova
07/04/2025

How can parents navigate the minefield of screen time, social media and online influences? Following an alarming report on the rising rates of excessive screen use and digital dependency among Monaco’s teenagers, the Entreparents support group is set to host an engaging – and timely – conference exploring these pressing issues, offering expert advice and practical tools to help families raising children in a tech-saturated world.

In partnership with Action Innocence Monaco and the British School of Monaco, the Monaco Government-backed Entreparents network will be holding its inaugural Supporting Parents in the Era of Smartphones and Social Networks event at the Charles III College auditorium at 6.20pm on Thursday 24th April. The event will seek to address growing concerns about children and young people’s digital habits, as well as the challenges parents and families face in managing them.

The conference is being held in response to mounting data that points to the negative impact of screen time on young people. For example, a 2024 World Health Organization study found that the sleep and development of a shocking 75% of European children aged three to four are being affected by excessive screen time. Meanwhile, IMSEE, Monaco’s own statistical agency, published the results of its European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) in January. The report, which covered a variety of topics from cigarettes and alcohol to social patterns, flagged a worrying statistic: the vast majority of Principality students aged 15 and up are habitually spending more than two hours online each day. 30% said they spent six hours a day or more on social media on weekends and during the holidays.

Widespread public concerns about the influence of social platforms and digital algorithms have also been raised in the recent Netflix documentary series Adolescence, which was cited as part of the context for this upcoming event in Monaco.

The programme will begin with expert talks led by guest speakers including Agnès Guénin, a psychomotor therapist and parental coach, who will discuss early childhood attachment in a digital age; clinical psychologist Damien Scolari, who will speak about screen-related behavioural risks in children; and Georges Gambarini, Deputy Director of Monaco’s Digital Services Department, who will outline the legal framework and best practices related to social networks and new technologies.

The second part of the evening will highlight local initiatives that aim to support parents and promote healthier digital habits. These include the PhoneWall project, a joint initiative by the British School of Monaco and Monaco Telecom, as well as the ongoing work and campaigns from Action Innocence Monaco, the Mairie de Monaco’s Les Espaces Parents initiative, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the Théâtre des Muses. An open discussion with participants will follow, before the event concludes at 8pm.

Attendance is free, but registration is required due to limited seating. Interested participants are asked to reserve a seat via email at hello@entreparents.mc.

Read related:

Monaco’s teens are ditching cigarettes and alcohol but binge on screen time

 

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo source: Createasea, Unsplash