Month: May 2025

Stade Louis II is set to host a star-studded charity match bridging the worlds of motorsport and football. The Racing Stars Football Cup, reviving a pre-Monaco Grand Prix tradition, will kick off on May 21^st under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II.

Formerly called the World Stars Football Match, the newly-named event, organised by the Barbagiuans of Monaco—the team founded by the Prince himself and now chaired by Louis Ducruet since 2020—transforms a decades-old tradition into an exciting new official format that promises to captivate spectators while supporting vital causes. 

“This is what the Barbagiuans are about,” said Louis Ducruet. “I believe it’s important to break new ground and welcome other elite athletes into our squad. It’s a step in line with our growth strategy.”

The impressive line-up features Formula 1 stars Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz alongside champion Thierry Neuville and motorsport icon Isack Hadjar. They’ll share the pitch with football veterans including Ludovic Giuly, Flavio Roma, Javier Chevanton, and defenders Gaël Givet and Sébastien Squillaci.

The event will also feature athletes from other disciplines, including French MMA fighter Benoît Saint Denis.

Entertainment figures will also participate, including singer Matt Pokora, comedians Paul Mirabel and Ragnar Le Breton, and model Baptiste Giabiconi, creating what organisers describe as “a true celebration for all.”

Häkkinen named event ambassador 

Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen will serve as the ambassador for this first Racing Stars Football Cup. The Finnish racing legend, who claimed victory at the 1998 Monaco Grand Prix and now calls the Principality home, shared his enthusiasm during the official announcement.

“I was honoured and thrilled when Louis Ducruet and his team asked me to be part of this initiative, especially since the event will support two important causes,” Häkkinen stated. “I strongly encourage everyone to come and be part of the celebration this year.”

Proceeds from the match will benefit two causes with connections to motorsport: the Jules Bianchi Association, established following the Formula 1 driver’s tragic accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and his subsequent passing in July 2015, and which primarily supports Archet Hospital in Nice, with particular focus on its specialised unit for brain-injured patients.

Philippe Bianchi, Jules’ father and honorary president of the association, expressed his gratitude: “This initiative touches me deeply, as it will bring together several F1 drivers just before the Monaco Grand Prix, which was so important for Jules.”

Uniting sport and safety advocacy 

BE SAFE Monaco, the event’s second beneficiary, was founded by Camille Gottlieb, daughter of Princess Stéphanie, to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.

“Having personalities from the world of motorsport involved clearly helps amplify our message,” Gottlieb explained. “Being part of such an event is a privilege and validates the relevance of our cause.”

This match continues a cherished tradition that has brought racing drivers and former footballers together before the Monaco Grand Prix for more than three decades. Originally organised by Mauro Serra, who championed the event for many years, this new chapter has received the blessing of his children.

Shauna and James Serra expressed their support, stating they “fully trust the Barbagiuans and Louis Ducruet to carry this historic event forward with passion, while remaining faithful to its core values of sportsmanship and solidarity.”

Louis Ducruet, who has participated in previous editions of the match alongside his uncle Prince Albert II, described himself as “honoured to lead the Barbagiuans in the revival of this tradition”.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://billetterie.asmonaco.com/fr/catalogue/match-foot-masculin-racing-stars-football-cup

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.  

Editors note: Teddy Riner, who we reported was slated to take part in the games, will no longer participate. Photo of Louis Ducruet provided

As the buzz of the Monaco E-Prix fades, attention is shifting from land to sea, where the 12th edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is poised to make waves in maritime sustainability and innovation this July.

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, scheduled to begin in just two months, will once again transform the Principality into a hub for next-generation yachting. Hosted by the Yacht Club de Monaco and supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore, the event is gaining recognition as a leading platform for maritime innovation. This year, over 30 teams from 18 countries are already confirmed, with that number expected to grow to more than 40 by the 15th May registration deadline.

Bridging academia and industry, the Challenge is a testing ground for engineering students and yachting professionals who share a common vision: revolutionising the future of clean, energy-efficient marine mobility. Major shipbuilders like Monaco Marine, Oceanco, the Ferretti Group, Azimut | Benetti Group, Sanlorenzo and Lürssen are lending support and expertise to teams navigating this fast-evolving field.

In a bold step forward, the 2025 edition will debut the AI Class, a new race category for autonomous vessels guided by artificial intelligence. “This is a revolution on par with past breakthroughs,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, Director and Secretary General of the Yacht Club de Monaco. “It is urgent that we rethink our relationship with the sea and act collectively to preserve this vital space.”

On land, the event will feature a series of expert-led conferences designed to mobilise collaborative thinking around advanced marine technologies. The Advanced Yachting Technology Conference on 3rd July will cover cutting-edge topics such as carbon capture on board, maritime noise pollution, and the integration of space tech and AI into decarbonisation strategies. The following day, the 6th Hydrogen & Alternative Fuels Conference will delve into sustainable solutions like hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, solid and liquid storage systems, and methanol-powered superyachts.

Beyond innovation, the event focuses on mentorship and career opportunities. The Corporate Mentoring Programme pairs industry leaders with emerging talents, including teams from the University of Bologna and Università di Genova. Companies like SBM Offshore and Sanlorenzo provide technical support and access to hydrogen research and inspection technology. The Job Forum, another cornerstone of the event, facilitates connections between students and yachting firms, resulting in over 90 interviews during the 2024 edition alone.

Four competitive categories will headline the event: the new AI Class, the Energy Class with its custom energy integration challenge, SeaLab Class for prototypes up to 12 metres, and the Open Sea Class for CE-certified zero-emission vessels up to 25 metres. The prestigious €25,000 Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award will once again honour the most impactful project in emissions reduction and energy efficiency.

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: MEBC