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Month: July 2026

Leclerc secures Belgian GP podium as Ferrari heads to Hungary with renewed momentum

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/07/2026

Charles Leclerc produced one of his strongest drives of the season to finish second at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, giving the Monegasque his fourth podium of the year and Ferrari’s ninth in the opening 10 races of the Formula 1 season.

The result came after an aggressive opening lap, a well-timed Ferrari strategy call and a determined chase of race winner Kimi Antonelli over the closing stages at Spa-Francorchamps. Lewis Hamilton added to Ferrari’s haul by recovering from an early collision and a five-second penalty to finish fourth, lifting the Scuderia’s points tally for the weekend to 30.

Leclerc made an excellent start from fifth on the grid, overtaking both George Russell and Max Verstappen on the run through Eau Rouge and along the Kemmel Straight to move into second place behind Antonelli. Ferrari’s race strategy then came into play when the team delayed both drivers’ pit stops, allowing them to take advantage of a Virtual Safety Car on lap 19. The perfectly timed stop briefly handed Leclerc the lead after he passed Lando Norris, before Antonelli reclaimed first place in the closing laps.

Although unable to prevent the Mercedes driver from taking victory, Leclerc remained within two seconds of the leader at the finish to claim the 54th podium of his Formula 1 career and Ferrari’s 845th overall.

“It was really enjoyable to lead the race and fight for the win until the closing laps,” Leclerc said afterwards. “Overall, we had good pace, which is something we didn’t expect on a track such as Spa-Francorchamps. A big thank you to everyone at the track and back in Maranello for continuing to push so hard.”

Hamilton’s race was considerably more complicated. Contact with George Russell on the opening lap brought out the Safety Car and earned the Briton a five-second penalty, but the Ferrari driver recovered impressively to climb back through the field and finish fourth. The result moves Hamilton back into second place in the drivers’ championship ahead of next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Belgian Grand Prix was won by Antonelli ahead of Leclerc, with Verstappen completing the podium. Hamilton finished fourth, followed by Oscar Piastri, Isack Hadjar, Lando Norris, Gabriel Bortoleto, Arvid Lindblad and Franco Colapinto rounding out the top 10.

Formula 1 now heads directly to the Hungaroring for the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the sport’s summer break. Ferrari will arrive in Budapest encouraged by a weekend that demonstrated both the SF-26’s competitiveness and Leclerc’s ability to challenge for victories on circuits where the team had not expected to be among the frontrunners.

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Main photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre

Monaco marks 21st anniversary of Prince Albert II’s accession with diplomatic reception in Paris

by: Virginia D’Umas
20/07/2026

The Principality of Monaco celebrated a significant occasion in Paris this week, marking the 21st anniversary of the accession of Prince Albert II. The commemorative event, held at the Pavillon Dauphine on Wednesday 8th July, underscored the deepening bilateral ties between Monaco, France, and Andorra.

The reception was hosted jointly by the Embassy of Monaco in France and Andorra and the Permanent Delegation of Monaco to UNESCO. Approximately 350 guests were in attendance, including a distinguished assembly of French ministry officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the Apostolic Nuncio, and various international ambassadors.

Strengthening diplomatic ties and multilateralism

In an address delivered on behalf of the two missions, Valérie Bruell-Melchior, Ambassador of Monaco to France and Andorra, reflected on the enduring friendship between the nations, saying that the Principality’s international agenda remains firmly anchored in a commitment to multilateralism, environmental stewardship, and the promotion of global innovation.

The prototype of the Mona Luna lunar rover by Venturi Space / Photo credit: Claire Jaillard

A focus on space and sustainability

The event served as a strategic platform to highlight Monaco’s burgeoning interest in the aerospace sector, particularly ahead of the International Space Summit scheduled to be held in Paris this September. 

Discussions throughout the evening shifted toward the nexus between marine conservation and space technology. The Principality is increasingly leveraging satellite observation to enhance ocean monitoring, a priority that aligns with its long-standing commitment to marine protection.

This focus on advanced innovation was exemplified by the presence of Mona Luna, an exploration vehicle engineered by the Monegasque firm Venturi. Franck Baldet, Technical Director at Venturi, provided insights into the sophisticated technological adaptations required for such vehicles to navigate the inhospitable terrain of future lunar missions.

Strategic consular dialogue

The commemorations concluded the following day with a working session for Monaco’s Honorary Consuls in France. The meeting addressed administrative priorities, including a briefing on the Principality’s ‘attractiveness’ strategy, delivered by Ludmilla Raconnat le Goff, Delegate for Attractiveness to the Minister of State.

The session also included a rigorous overview of national compliance measures, led by Frédéric Chartier, Executive Coordinator for the Secretariat of the Committee for the coordination and monitoring of the national strategy to combat money laundering, the financing of terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and corruption.

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Main photo: Valérie Bruell-Melchior, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco to France and Andorra, and Anne-Marie Boisbouvier, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Principality of Monaco to UNESCO, accompanied by their teams. Photo credit: Claire Jaillard

Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo unveils Le Salon by Maison Moghadam

by: Kayla Sauceda
17/07/2026

Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo has unveiled Le Salon by Maison Moghadam, a new private dining space created in collaboration with the Monaco-based luxury interior design house. Blending bespoke craftsmanship with refined hospitality, the project introduces an exclusive experience while highlighting the expertise of one of the Principality’s longest-established design houses.

Founded in Paris in 1996, Buddha-Bar became known for its unique combination of Asian-inspired cuisine, intricate interiors, and its signature music. In 2010, a partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer brought the concept to the Principality, where Buddha-Bar established itself as one of Monaco’s most recognizable dining destinations. Seeking to create a more intimate, unique experience for guests, Buddha-Bar partnered with Maison Moghadam to bring its vision to life.

Tucked away from the main dining room, Le Salon immediately feels distinct from the rest of Buddha-Bar. While the luxury is evident, it’s the intentionality behind the design that stands out most. Every texture, finish, and material appears to have been selected with purpose, creating an unparalleled sense of depth throughout the space. From the distinct wall coverings and carefully curated color palette to the handcrafted onyx tableware, each element contributes to an immersive atmosphere. Rather than competing for attention, each individual design element works together to blend into a cohesive environment where the space itself becomes part of the experience.

For Jérôme Viale, Managing Director and Head of Design at Maison Moghadam, the collaboration represented more than simply creating a beautiful new space. “This collaboration was an opportunity to show that projects like this can be imagined, designed, and brought to life entirely in Monaco. It reflects what already exists within the Principality and what can be achieved when Monaco’s design and hospitality come together,” he said.

This collaboration highlights the strength of creative industries within Monaco. Rather than looking outside the Principality for this project, Buddha-Bar chose to showcase the craftsmanship, design, and manufacturing that already exist here.

Established more than 50 years ago, Maison Moghadam began as a specialist in Persian carpets before evolving into one of Monaco’s leading luxury interior design houses. Today, the family-run company offers bespoke interiors, furnishings, fabrics, wallpapers, and its own Marbellous collection of handcrafted onyx creations.

With Le Salon by Maison Moghadam, Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo has introduced more than an elevated private dining experience. The collaboration demonstrates how thoughtful design can blend with hospitality while showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship found within the Principality.

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Photos provided

Interview: E1 CEO Jamie Copas outlines his vision ahead of Monaco race

by: Kayla Sauceda
17/07/2026

Having stepped into the role of E1 CEO earlier this year, Jamie Copas sat down with Monaco Life to discuss his vision for the championship, its ambitious growth plans, and Monaco’s role in shaping its future.

E1 is the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing championship, bringing celebrity-owned teams to iconic waterfront destinations while promoting innovation and sustainability on the water.

With more than 30 years’ experience in advertising, brand building, and sports marketing, including the last decade in motorsport, largely around Formula 1, the opportunity to lead E1 was one he couldn’t ignore. After meeting E1 founder and chairman Alejandro Agag, he quickly understood the championship’s vision.

“The foundational stories are sustainability, gender equality, and innovation,” said Copas, adding that building awareness around those values is central to his vision for E1’s growth. While his experience in Formula 1 gave him a strong foundation in motorsport, Copas said E1 offered the chance to build something entirely different – an emerging championship built around sustainability and innovation. “Beyond building the brand, we build awareness so that we can tell our stories.” With races in destinations such as Monaco, Lake Como, and Dubrovnik, E1 has a unique opportunity to share those stories on a global stage.

Copas said his career has always centered on building brands and delivering commercial growth. “My history has always been about building brands… building brands is also building financial growth and return on investment.”

Despite fundamental differences from the agency side to the new CEO side, the objectives remain the same. “Working on the agency side, it’s about story mining and storytelling. And here it is the same, how do we find the right stories to tell around the races?”

Growing E1 through innovation and global partnerships

For Copas, growth is about far more than adding races to the calendar. He believes expanding E1 begins with strengthening its identity and attracting partners who share the championship’s values. “The partners that we speak to already know who we are… they want to be with us because of those stories.” He said sustainability, gender equality, STEM, and technological innovation are increasingly becoming the conversations that open meetings with potential partners, demonstrating how those values are helping shape E1’s commercial future.

Looking ahead, Copas hopes to grow the championship from its current 10 teams and 8 races to 12 teams and 15 races.

Why Monaco remains central to E1’s ambitions

Asked about Monaco’s place on the calendar, Copas was quick to emphasise its significance. Having this race on the calendar “is critical for us because it positions E1 within the heart of motorsport”.

Beyond providing a spectacular backdrop, Monaco brings a level of prestige few locations can match, reinforcing E1’s place within the wider motorsport world.

Team Monaco competes in its home race at the E1 Monaco GP, marking the team’s debut season in the all-electric powerboat championship. 

Team Monaco will be competing in their home race this weekend as a new entrant into the series this season. Copas highlighted the commitment behind this decision to enter, from the team, its owners, and pilots, which strengthens the relationship between E1 and Monaco as a whole.

Copas also recognised the support E1 has received from both the Principality and the local community, describing it as an important part of the championship’s continued growth.

Accelerating the future of sustainable marine technology

While electric vehicles have become increasingly common on roads, Copas believes the marine industry still has significant ground to cover. He pointed to Formula E’s influence on automotive technology as an example of how motorsport can accelerate innovation beyond the race circuit.  “On the water, it’s so much further behind. So the reality is, there is momentum there, but our storytelling helps to speed that up.” He said increasing awareness around electric marine technology is a key part of E1’s wider mission, helping encourage greater adoption of cleaner alternatives across the industry.

That mission aligns closely with initiatives already taking place in Monaco. Last week, the Principality hosted the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, where students and industry leaders showcased new sustainable maritime technologies. Asked how initiatives such as the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge align with E1’s ambitions, Copas shared, “We are in the process of looking at our second fleet and looking at the technological developments since developing the first fleet. We want to be at the forefront of that developing technology. We’re very close to it, it’s an important aspect of what we do.”

As E1 continues to expand its calendar and develop its next generation of electric race boats, Copas hopes the championship can do more than entertain. By combining elite sport with innovation and sustainability, he believes E1 can help accelerate the future of clean marine technology, with Monaco continuing to play a central role in that journey.

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Photos provided

Monaco’s temporary workforce falls 17% after construction peak

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/07/2026

Monaco’s temporary workforce fell sharply in 2025 following the completion of several major construction projects, according to the latest report from IMSEE.

Temporary employment agencies employed 6,458 people at the end of the year, including 122 permanent agency staff. This was 1,350 fewer than in 2024, representing a decline of 17.3%.

The number of hours worked fell by 23.8% to 8.7 million, while temporary employment revenue declined by 16.4% to €269 million.

Despite the slowdown, the sector remains close to historically high levels. Monaco had more than 700 additional temporary workers in 2025 than it did in 2021, while industry revenue has increased by 23.7% over the same period.

Construction remains the largest user of temporary labour

Construction accounted for 40.3% of Monaco’s temporary assignments and almost 70% of all days worked in 2025, explaining the significant impact of completed building projects on the overall figures.

Across all sectors, 48,752 temporary assignments were recorded, down 13.9% from 2024 and broadly returning to 2023 levels.

The number of days worked fell more dramatically, decreasing by 35.3% to just under 1.7 million.

One-day assignments continue to rise

While overall activity declined, very short contracts became more common. More than 17,000 assignments lasted only one day, representing 35.5% of all temporary contracts.

These assignments were concentrated heavily in hospitality, with almost six out of 10 taking place in food and beverage services.

Monaco’s temporary workforce also remained overwhelmingly male, with men accounting for 86.1% of workers. Almost all temporary employees—98.4%—lived outside the Principality.

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

Monaco rolls out new signage to help visitors navigate the city

by: Virginia D’Umas
17/07/2026

Monaco is making it easier for visitors to explore the Principality on foot with the launch of a digital platform, a new initiative designed to encourage walking tours across its various districts.

The ‘Visit Monaco City Walk’ scheme invites tourists to leave their vehicles behind upon arrival and instead discover the destination at a more leisurely pace. By following the designated routes, visitors can explore the city’s diverse neighbourhoods while engaging with the various local experiences situated along the paths.

This project is the result of a cross-departmental collaboration between the Department of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development, the Department of Finance and Economy, and the Interministerial Delegation for Digital Transition. It forms part of a wider suite of measures already in place to improve mobility and reduce reliance on cars within the territory, aligning with Monaco’s ongoing commitment to sustainable urban development.

Improving navigation for visitors

A key driver for the initiative was identifying the barriers visitors face when navigating the city’s unique urban topography. Guy Antognelli, Director of Tourism and Congress, explained that feedback from tourist surveys revealed a common struggle with the Principality’s network of public lifts and escalators.

“From all our surveys, it is clear that tourists find it difficult to use the lifts and escalators, as this is not common practice in many other cities,” said Antognelli in an interview with Monaco Info. “Entering a building to take a public lift does not come naturally to them. We identified a lack of visibility regarding these routes for tourists, and this initiative has been developed to address that gap.”

Putting the routes to the test

By creating cohesive, well-signposted walking trails, the government aims to demystify the city’s layout and enhance the overall visitor experience. The new system is designed to provide clarity where there was previously confusion, effectively turning the city’s infrastructure into a more accessible and intuitive network.

The initiative serves as a practical solution to modern urban challenges, proving that a compact, hilly landscape can be traversed with ease. 

Ultimately, there is no better way to understand the ease of movement offered by the new system than by trying out one of the suggested routes for yourself. 

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Photo Credit: Direction de la Communication – Manuel Vitali