17 ° C
Profile

Tag: Montecarlo

How Monaco’s most famous Grand Prix corners got their names

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/05/2023
monaco grand prix corners

There are 18 corners on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, some treacherous, some notorious and some quirky. But together, they make up the most celebrated racetrack in the history of Formula 1. Here’s the story of how they came to be known by their unique set of names.  

It’s one of the motorsport world’s most iconic and glamourous racing circuits, and the Monaco Grand Prix’s fabled urban track has been dazzling drivers and fans alike since 1929. This coming weekend, it will celebrate its 80th edition and prove that it can still capture the imagination of any and all who love the sport.  

Die-hard fans will probably know the name of each of the 18 corners of the race, but few know why and how they earned them. Monaco Life is here to fill in the gaps on the turns that turned into legends.  

THE FIRST STRETCH

Let’s start at the start: Sainte Dévote. Named for the chapel of the same name that represents the patron saint of Monaco, the Sainte Dévote corner is part devil, part angel. This section is known for its exit barrier, which has seen quite a bit of action over the years as drivers have underestimated the turn and found themselves in the small tiled courtyard in front of the chapel. Some have been able to save themselves and continue with the race. Divine intervention? Perhaps, but misjudging Sainte Dévote is something few do twice.  

Next up is Beau Rivage, which isn’t exactly a corner as much as a bend in the road leading up from Sainte Dévote. Beau rivage means beautiful shore, and the view from this spot is a certainly a stellar one… Not that the drivers have time to notice such things.  

Turn three is Massenet, named after French composer Jules Massenet. The sweeping left-hand corner passes the Opera House, where a bust of the man himself is perched. It should be a quick corner, except that it leads into Casino Square, which requires a slower pace. Many drivers underrate it, leaving a goodly share of dents on the barriers edging Massenet.  

Speeding through Massenet to Casino Square. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Press Centre

Casino Square follows and it’s a heck of a spot. Boasting some of Monaco’s most instantly recognised landmarks, like the Casino and the Hôtel de Paris, racers blow by in seconds, but not before slowing down just a bit to take this not-so-easy turn, which has seen its fair share of crashes, not least of which involved the son of racing legend Michael Schumacher, Mick Schumacher, while racing F3 in 2021.  

Drivers will then find themselves approaching Mirabeau Haute. It was named after the old Mirabeau Hotel, which was torn down to build apartments, and is – shall we say – complicated. Before the braking area, there is a hump in the road that drivers have had to manoeuvre around for years, passing by everyone’s favourite 3am nightcap spot of Tip Top before heading downhill to the right with significant camber. The inside angle was used in days of yore, but is so steep that today’s cars would likely end up on three wheels if they tried. Nico Rosberg got a yellow flag in this spot whilst qualifying in 2014, though it didn’t hurt him as he already was in P1.  

THE NEXT TRANCHE 

This next turn has had more names than a divorcee on a marrying spree. Originally called the Station Hairpin, as it was the site of the old train station, it was then renamed the Loews Hairpin after the hotel built on the site. It got more confusing as the hotel changed hands, and the corner became the Grand, Sun Casino and then Fairmont Hairpin in succession. It’s one of the few that keeps changing names, despite it also being one of the most recognisable turns on the circuit. It’s incredibly tight and F1 pilots have been known to try all kind of fancy tricks to get around it faster. The typical speed in modern F1 cars for the turn is 65kmph and the odd driver does try to overtake here, though it usually ends badly.

After that comes Mirabeau Bas. It wasn’t that organisers liked the name so much they used it twice, it is simply the twin of Mirabeau Haute, but at a lower elevation.  

Next comes Portier, a quartier once known as Le Portier, but is now slowly becoming Mareterra. This turn has a sea view to die for, but can be deceptively treacherous. It’s known for Ayrton Senna’s 1988 crash that ended his chances of a win, handing it over to his teammate – and foe – Alain Prost.  

The Tunnel is a bit of a misnomer as it’s not really a corner at all, but is problematic as the lighting is a nightmare and the aerodynamic conditions are completely different to the rest of the track. The really cool thing about the tunnel is that the exit is one of the best places to see an overtake in the race.  

The next two turns make up the Nouvelle Chicane, renamed in 1986 from Chicane du Port. It’s another potential overtaking spot, but it isn’t ideal as the drivers emerge from the tunnel into blinding sun just as they hit top speeds. The downhill grade is tricky as braking is difficult here and the gradient changes partway through the drop, which can cause the terrifying possibility of seeing these hugely expensive cars get accidentally airborne. Numerous crashes have occurred in this very spot, making it one of the most dangerous parts of the race.  

The drop down into Port Hercules is one of the most dramatic sections on the track. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Press Centre

This next one is slightly comical and very French. The corner is called, quite simply, Tabac after the small tobacconist that has resided in the crook of the turn for as long as most people can remember. The turn is not that memorable, but the owner of the tabac must get his money’s worth renting out that space year after year.

THE FINAL CORNERS 

The next corner is really four, making up the collective known as the Swimming Pool. Until 1973, there was a straight run from Tabac to the final corner. Clearly that wasn’t fun enough so, when the Stade Nautique was built, the organisers decided to take the opportunity to use the space as part of the track.

Now, there are two chicanes that take the cars around the pool, the first of which is called the Virage Louis Chiron, named after the local F1 driver who captured the bronze at the first F1 championship in Monaco in 1950. The best drivers tend to love this section, as it’s fast and hard to negotiate, weeding the wheat from the chaff. 

Exiting the Swimming Pool sector en route to La Rascasse. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Press Centre

Then there is La Rascasse, named after the bar of the same name that sits on the corner. The bar has been transformed over the years from an old fisherman’s hangout to a grungy live music bar to the sleek nightspot it is today. It’s an amazing place to catch the race and an even better one to catch some après-race fun.  

Last up is Virage Anthony Noghes. It used to be a hairpin called Gazometre until the 1970s, when it was redesigned in a tribute to the founder of the Monaco Grand Prix, Anthony Noghes. Michael Schumacher passed Fernando Alonso on this corner on the last lap in 2010. The race was still under a safety car, although it had pulled into the pits, giving Schumacher a 20-second penalty and landing him in a disappointing 12th place.  

 

Sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

 

Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Press Centre

 

Stéphane Valeri at the helm of SBM: “Our future will live up to our brilliant past”

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/05/2023
Stéphane Valeri

Stéphane Valeri, the new Président Délégué of Monte-Carlo SBM, laid out his roadmap for Monaco’s largest, most important company on Friday to a room full of local journalists.

The press gathered in the Salle Sincerity of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort on Friday 12th May to hear for the first time the vision of the new head of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM).

The former president of the National Council, who officially took over from Jean-Luc Biamonti on 24th January, said that he has spent the past three months developing his roadmap for the Monegasque company.

“We now have it, and we can communicate it,” he told the room full of press.

He described his appointment, by order of Prince Albert II of Monaco, as a moment of “pride”, particularly given his family history with SBM. Valeri’s great-grandfather, who worked in gaming, received a 50th anniversary medal in 1913; his father also spent his entire career with the company.

“Loyalty to the Société des Bains de Mer has been found in many families, often for decades,” said the 61-year-old Monegasque native. “And for good reason: our group is the economic flagship and the leading employer in the Principality. The SBM has contributed to writing the legend of Monte-Carlo, under the impetus of our Princes, from Charles III to Sovereign Prince Albert II.”

Valeri revealed that he will bring with him the same formula he has applied throughout his entire professional career: namely listening, respect for people, strategic thinking, and taking risks.

“Deciding means taking risks. We need to take the most limited, calculated risks.” he said. “My management style won’t change. I won’t be led by ideologies or biases.”

Valeri then laid out his roadmap, which has been created in consultation with the SBM Board of Directors.

The lagoon at Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort, an SMB establishment

A new management team

For his tenure, Valeri has restructured the entire management team and expanded it by three, taking it from six to nine. His mission, he says, is “optimal governance, by changing it according to the new priorities and the objectives that we have set ourselves”.

Firstly, Valeri chose to fill the position of general manager, one that had been left vacant for 12 years. Albert Manzone will therefore be responsible for the day-to-day running of the company.

“I think it was important given the ambitions we have for the development of the group,” he said. “We are now in the pre-summer period, where we have 5,000 employees. I believe it was essential that I be assisted by a general manager who will be in charge of more operations, of implementing actions, which will allow me to have more time for reflection, analysis, strategy and development.”

Another important decision, says Valeri, was the appointment of a new general secretary in the form of Virginie Cotta, who has also been entrusted with SBM’s legal department, real estate assets, culture and heritage, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Meanwhile, the appointment of Pascal Camia to Director of International Development was part of a strategy for expansion abroad.

“It is true the SBM enjoys a great reputation and expertise recognised worldwide in the field of luxury hotels and games. However, this potential for growth has never been developed to date, apart from certain financial holdings in international companies. It is now a question of providing the SBM with a team responsible for preparing its development abroad, in a targeted manner and within the framework of a very precise strategy,” said Valeri.

The ultimate goal, he said, is to acquire hotels, restaurants, and casinos in other countries to develop its international clientele. He also wants to export SBM brands to destinations like the French Alps.

“Strategically, we have to be where our customers go, with an offer that complements the one we have today in Monaco.”

Maintaining a strong workforce

The SBM president acknowledged that it is now very difficult to recruit and retain seasonal workers, a phenomenon faced by the hospitality sector the world-over. Therefore, retaining staff year-round is one of his goals, and he plans to prioritise workers in the Alpes-Maritimes for that purpose.

He says that establishing hotels in the Alps will also help with staff retention during winter months, before they return for the busy Spring/Summer season in Monaco.

Acquiring accommodation in the Alpes-Maritimes, particularly Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, is also a priority.

New projects

The modernisation of Le Meridien, whose contract is up for renewal this September, is among the new rejuvenation projects for SBM. Valerie revealed that the option of knocking it down and starting again is still very attractive.

He also said that an expansion of the Salle des Etoiles is also on the cards for next year as security requirements have reduced its capacity.

More entertainment

The Salle des Etoiles at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club will be open to the public every night this August with the new addition of Billionaire, an “intimate” setting that will be “unrecognisable” with its cabaret-themed evenings.

“It’s up to us to know how to attract new talent, to create new shows, to revive, for example, the famous Mood’s that all of Monaco expects, to also offer more regular entertainment that is more in line with the image that we want to give,” said Valeri.

More impressive Christmas decorations and entertainment falls into that vision.

There will also be the opening of the new Maona vintage bar in June, as well as the Club La Vigie and Blue Bay, which is undergoing a major interior renovation.

Stéphane Valeri
The interior design of the new Café de Paris was revealed during Friday’s press conference for the first time. Image courtesy SBM

Monaco’s iconic Café de Paris

The reopening of the Café de Paris, which has been delayed until October, is slightly over its €55 million budget, revealed Valeri. The major project includes the new Amazonico restaurant with large terraces overlooking Place du Casino, but that will not be delivered until April 2024.

Never-before-seen images of the new Café de Paris were revealed, showing a bistro atmosphere on the ground floor, and a chic brasserie with more subdued atmosphere on the first floor.

The future

Valeri highlighted that new luxury brands will open in the seven new retail spaces of the Café de Paris in autumn. There are also plans to develop several areas of Monaco for new economic opportunities.

“Over the next few years, we will have to continue to enhance our land by creating new areas for residences, offices and shops. And then, it will be necessary to plan the restructuring of the Sporting d’Eté peninsula, a great source of future profits.”

Valeri concluded the press conference by acknowledging the strong team that he is surrounded by, saying, “With all of our nearly 5,000 employees, with our new management, we are going to ensure that our future lives up to our brilliant past – and the bar is very high – to continue to write new pages of the legend of Monte-Carlo.”

Sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

 

Photo of Stéphane Valeri by Monaco Life

More low-impact shipping lanes and new MPAs in Canada thanks to FPA2 funding boost

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/05/2023

Canada’s largest shipbuilder and home to the National Icebreaker Centre, Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (Davie), has announced funding of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation – Canada for the expansion of the Arctic Corridors and Northern Voices program.

The Arctic Corridors and Northern Voices program, a recipient of the Governor General’s Innovation Award, trains Inuit communities in advanced technologies to map culturally sensitive areas in order to inform policy and planning for Arctic marine use and oceans governance.

“Combining western technologies and training with Inuit knowledge has proven to be a highly successful formula in supporting national and international ocean policy,” said Dr. Jackie Dawson, lead researcher and associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Environment, Society and Policy at the University of Ottawa. “Davie and the National Icebreaker Centre’s role in building a new fleet of icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard is of paramount importance to conservation programs and Indigenous communities in the Arctic.”

Davie’s initial funding of $150,000 (€135,000) will allow the program to be extended to other Indigenous communities whose regions have not yet been included in the program and who have requested to take part.

“It is by listening to the voices of Indigenous peoples, as well as those of scientists, that we will be able to better know and understand these vulnerable environments in order to better protect them. In this regard, the collective approach of the Arctic Corridors project, alongside Canadian Arctic communities, academics and ship operators, is to be applauded, as they work to identify low-impact shipping lanes and the creation of new marine protected areas,” said Prince Albert II of Monaco.

“No-one knows better than the Indigenous communities”

As the marine and other industries seek to benefit from the opening of Arctic sea routes, the Arctic Corridors and Northern Voices program is training Indigenous communities and providing technology to map areas which are then used to identify and develop management strategies for low-impact shipping corridors.

“Dr. Dawson’s and her team’s work is both impressive and effective. No one knows the Arctic better than the Indigenous communities who have lived there for thousands of years. It’s about training and equipping those Indigenous communities with the tools they need to provide policymakers and the industry with information to ensure that responsible shipping can continue while mitigating the potential for devastating consequences to the local population, the environment and marine life,” said Alex Vicefield, Chairman and CEO of Inocea, Davie’s parent group. “In what is one of the world’s most ecologically and culturally sensitive oceanic basins and with a sharply increasing level of Arctic shipping, creating these Arctic corridors is absolutely critical.”

Mr. Vicefield added, “We are proud to work with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation – Canada, which is leading the way in Arctic conservation. This initiative is strongly linked to our work in building the Canadian government’s future icebreaker fleet which, amongst other things, will be critical for the protection of the Arctic and its Indigenous communities.”

Sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

 

Monaco Life with press release. Photo provided. 

 

Elsa at Monte-Carlo Beach reopens with even more emphasis on local produce

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/04/2023

The sun-filled terraces of the Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel are once again open for the delectable restaurant Elsa, headed by chef Mélanie Serre, who has this year cast her local produce net even further.

Chef Mélanie Serre made her mark on the gastronomic scene of Monaco in 2022. Backed by years of experience at some of France and Monaco’s most awarded restaurants, she took over the kitchen of seasonal restaurant Elsa, and with it the responsibility of upholding an organic menu.

As she explained to Monaco Life in 2022, it was a challenge to source all of the specialty ingredients for her menu. So, it is not surprising to learn that this year the 37-year-old chef from Ardèche, southeast France, has widened her scope to reach even more local, organic flavours.

Chef Melanie Serre, photo source: Monte-Carlo SBM

Mélanie Serre, winner of the 2023 Ethical Environmental Responsibility Prize, and her team are now working with a wider range of producers in the surrounding region for fruits, vegetables, olive oils, fish, meats, and wines.

Domaine d’Agerbol in the heights of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, for example, provides fresh, organic vegetables, less than a kilometre from farm to plate. The Jardin des Antipodes in Menton has sun-kissed herbs and fruits, while Domaine Oléicole Lessatini, a family business of four generations in the hills of Nice, supplies local wines.

Monegasque fisherman Eric Rinaldi and the Verinni fishery ensure that the day’s catch is as fresh as possible thanks to the hardworking fishermen off the coast of Imperia.

It is a sustainable approach that not only benefits clients, but supports the local ecosystem, creates jobs and energises the social fabric.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Monaco Life (@monacolife_)

Delicious, healthy, seasonal cuisine

This April, guests will find amongst the menu langoustine tartare served with Osciètre caviar, fresh cucumber juice and Granny Smith apple; pan-fried foie gras escalope, confit beef cheek ravioli, mushrooms and clarified broth with fresh herbs; roasted saddle of lamb, harissa tomato sauce, young spring vegetables and panisses with black olives; and pickled cucumber, honey and lemon mousse, served over roasted rice.

The daily specials are dependent on the products available, ensuring the ingredients are eaten at their prime.

Elsa is open now from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. The Market menu for weekday lunch is 72€, and 92€ on weekends and public holidays. A Degustation menu for dinner is 142€. In July and August, the restaurant is only open for dinner.

Monte-Carlo Beach – Restaurant La Vigie, photo courtesy Monte-Carlo SBM

A luxury resort nestled in nature

Monte-Carlo Beach is an oasis on the edge of a bustling, busy Principality of Monaco. Set against a pine forest bird reserve and in a totally private peninsula, it offers guests a chic and intimate setting, as close as possible to nature in this part of the world, with peaceful views of the Mediterranean Sea and an exclusive private beach.

It is a little piece of paradise that Monte-Carlo SBM is this year making even more alluring.

In addition to Elsa restaurant, the hotel features the Pointe de la Vigie where, from 2nd June, a private club will come alive from midday to 8pm, reviving a vision from the past. It has been the best-kept secret of Monte-Carlo Beach since 1952, with bungalows nestled in the pine forest, renamed this year as “Love Nests” for more intimate moments with lovers or friends. Access is possible by boat and a shuttle will make it easy to reach the new Maona Monte-Carlo to continue the evening under the stars.

Maona is set to open in July, image courtesy Monte-Carlo SBM

Maona is currently under construction at the same site it existed in the 1960s and 1970s. When it opens in July, guests will be able to enjoy a cabaret under the stars, invoking the glamour of the times: the original created by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis and his long-time mistress Maria Callas, its name a coming together of the two famous residents of Monaco.

Vintage-inspired cocktails will flow from 7pm to 2am with a pianist, DJ and diva taking turns to amuse guests.

Soon, there will be little reason to leave this secluded wonderland at any hour of the day.

 

Sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

 

Feature photo: Chef Mélanie Serre, courtesy Monte-Carlo SBM

 

 

Mel C, Fatman Scoop and Goodboys to headline Amber Lounge after parties

by: Elsa Carpenter
17/04/2023
amber lounge

Just a handful of tickets remain for the three days and nights of Amber Lounge events that, for 20 years, have dominated as the to-go after parties for Formula 1 drivers and Grand Prix fans alike.  

It was in Monaco that the concept of Amber Lounge first saw the light. Now two decades on and with a fresh new team and vision, the signature “After Party” host is organising up a storm of stellar events from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May.  

The action kicks off on the Friday aboard a luxury 30-metre yacht moored on the Tabac corner of the famous circuit. Guests at this €650 per person experience will enjoy the adrenaline of a race just getting warmed up alongside an all-open day and Mediterranean buffet lunch. 

amber lounge yacht
Guests on the Amber Lounge yacht can enjoy the racing all weekend long. Photo: Amber Lounge

Things will heat up further as the sun sets with a series of DJ performances from stars such as DJ Tom Jagger, DJ PHB and English house band the Goodboys.  

The yacht will remain in place throughout the weekend of racing, although prices increase to €3,500 per person for prime track viewing on the Sunday.  

Luxe take on clubbing at the Grimaldi Forum

Saturday and Sunday will see the party brand take over the Grimaldi Forum for two wild nights of world class entertainment and VIP appearances. Fatman Scoop, a longtime Amber Lounge figure head performer, will provide the soundtrack for Saturday night in addition to another set from the Goodboys. Tickets are in short supply and start at €600.

Formerly known as Sporty Spice, Melanie C will be in the house on Sunday for an exclusive DJ set. Tickets for Sunday begin at €800 per person.  

Amber Lounge has described the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix as “bigger and better than ever before”, while Kimi Räikkönen has enthused the quality of its after parties as “only place to celebrate with friends and team members”.  

“Every Formula One driver has Amber Lounge on speed dial after a race,” says the racing icon.

 

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.   

 

Photos courtesy of Amber Lounge

Monaco imposes cap as it welcomes cruise ships back to its waters

by: Cassandra Tanti
12/04/2023

The arrival of fine weather has marked the return of cruise ship stopovers in Port Hercule, with the government promising to impose strict limits.

From April to November, cruise ships will return en masse alongside yachts in the ports of Monaco, or at anchor near the Principality, with thousands of tourists eager to experience the legend that is Monaco and the surrounding French Riviera.

While it is a welcome boost to the local tourism sector, it does have an environmental impact on the small Principality and its coastline.

In an effort to preserve the atmospheric and marine environment, the government, in announcing the return of cruise season on Wednesday, said that it is working with the Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco (SEPM) on a “rational” cruise policy.

“By setting a maximum limit on the size of ships at the port or moor, a limit on the maximum capacity of passengers on board, and the duration of the season, the Government allows the reception of cruises in line with the image of Monaco, its quality of life and its economic attractiveness,” said the government.

This year, authorities aim to undertake inspections on 90% of vessels, and analysis of samples from 30% of those cruise ships at the Rainier III breakwater.

Sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

 

Photo by Monaco Life