While Formula One might not be the most popular form of automobile racing in the United States, it certainly is so for the rest of the world. Formula One is the highest class of single-seat car racing that’s out there, and arguably the best automobile drivers in the world drive Formula One vehicles. With racers exceeding speeds of 220mph, Formula One is truly a great spectators sport. You don’t even need to be a motor head to appreciate the sport and what these cars/drivers are capable of doing; it’s really great fun to watch. Now there are many different races held throughout the world at a variety of different tracks, however the most prestigious and important one would be the Monaco Grand Prix that is held in Monaco each year. The race concluded just four days ago, and Nico Rosberg came out on top as the victor. If you were to combine the atmosphere of the Superbowl, the Kentucky Derby, a runway fashion show, and the Indy 500 all into one incredible car race/event, you would get a sense of just how important and prestigious the Monaco Grand Prix is. At this years race we saw George Lucas, Gigi Hadid, Prince Harry, Kendall Jenner, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benedict Cumberbatch, and many other celebrities including thousands of fans turn up for the event. Given just how famous this race and how luxurious and extravagant Monaco is, there is a particular “way” of attending this race. So, how exactly does one attend the world’s best car race in style?
Book the appropriate accommodations
People really make the Monaco Grand Prix into a week long event, and it’s certainly not cheap to attended. The tickets to the race alone are astronomically expensive, so if you’re going to come out, you have to do it in style. Besides if you can realistically afford to attend the event, then you can definitely do so in style. This all starts with booking the appropriate accommodations. Given the fact that nearly everyone in Monaco is basically a millionaire and how there are Gucci boutiques and Bentleys found on every street corner, you’re going to want to secure some premium accommodations. Again, everything in this city is really expensive, and hotel rooms quadruple in price during the race so you might as well go all out. Check out rooms at the Hotel Hermitage, the Hotel de Paris, the Fairmont, or the Port Palace Hotel for the best rooms in the city. The Monaco Grad Prix is not only a race, but an experience, so you have to do it up in style. So spend the extra cash and upgrade to that presidential suite. Why not?
Plan your outfits accordingly
Now this is all just personal preference, but you probably don’t want to attend this race wearing sweatpants, flip flops, and a baggy t-shirt. The citizens of Monaco know how to dress, so it’s a good idea to dress appropriately. Now you don’t have to wear a suit or anything, but personally I would wear a nice button down shirt, some lightweight chino shorts, rock a pair of Wayfarers, and maybe wear some Italian loafers. I mean, this event is attended by hundreds of celebrities and models, so you’re going to want to dress to impress. Wouldn’t you feel silly if you happen to bump into a Vicoria’s Secret runway model dressed like someone that lives in their parents basement? I would.
Show up early, and get the best seats
Obviously the entire event is about the car race, so you’re going to want to secure to best place to watch the whole event. Now there are plenty of stadium seats set up around the track and areas where you can watch the race. While those are great places to enjoy the race, the best “seats” around are the views seen from private apartments and chateaus that are found throughout the area. If you have friends that live near the track, then their house is probably the best place to see the action. You can avoid the crows and dine in luxury while watching the race, and the aerial views found at some of these homes/apartments are the perfect place to take it all in. From above, you can see a larger portion of the track and truly appreciate the skill required to operate these automobiles. Still it’s also great to be pressed up against the fence as the cars pass by, as the sound of their engines is truly an experience.
Secure invites to the hottest parties
The Monaco Grand Prix is typically a four day extravaganza that doesn’t stop when the races end. After the drivers turn off the engines, the entire city parties, and they really party. Given the fact that this race is attended by actors, actresses, VIP’s, royal family members, and supermodels, the parties here are extremely haute and luxurious. From parties at the casinos and hotels, to private events held in peoples homes, you definitely want to secure an invite to at least one of them. Still out of all the exclusive parties found throughout the city, the coolest ones are the yacht parties. The marina here is one of the most famous in the world, and is typically filled with some of the largest and most luxurious yachts out there on any given day. Now that holds especially true during the Monaco Grand Prix, so if you can get invited to a yacht party, you’ll be living like royalty.
So in summation, to attend the world’s best car race in style, you’ll want to book a premium hotel suite, dress up like an Italian model, view the race from someones chateau, and then party out on a yacht. If you can do all that, you will really be living like a Hollywood A-lister. This race happens only once a year, so you have to go all out and do it right.
Photo from Mark Thompson/Getty Images
