The Monaco GP from the inside: Asphalt by day, dance floor by night and glamorous, but not for everyone

F1 Monaco GP is synonymous with attractive, VIPs, of people with money attending a historic event where they could spend all they wanted and more. The entrance to ‘Paddock Club’ cost 13,857.90 euros for three days and no doubt it will be full of people who want to enjoy cars, champagne, oysters, caviar and then go to a great party on one of the hundreds of yachts there are in port or organizing teams, Red Bull being the best known. Before that event was open to journalists, but since the pandemic things have changed in the paddock, although now there are also other parties where, with an invitation, some journalists can access .

Monaco is not luxury for everyone. For the teams this represents a logistical challenge in a paddock located at the port. A long street where there is only room for a row of hospitality and a truck behind them, although there are groups that have their own boat to receive their guests, like the big Red Bull, located right next door of paddock and moored. there for a few days.

Other teams need to run harder to be ready. This is what happens when two F1 events are held in two consecutive weeks and one of them is one of the most logistically complex, like Monaco, where trucks pile up to enter the paddock.

There are teams that are not as prepared as Red Bull and had to take their hospitality buildings from Imola, where they competed on Sunday, (from 6 to 18 trucks to move them) to the port of Monaco. Therefore, on Thursday there were surprising moments, with McLaren and Alpine not having their building assembled and Sauber finalizing the details., carrying out works that prevent people from passing from one side of the paddock to the other due to the narrowness of the road. Unusual in a Grand Prix Thursday. For this reason, teams like McLaren had to change the location of their press conferences at the last minute.

A real ‘miracle’: How is it possible?

Monaco was impressed by the ‘miracle’ achieved by the city, setting up a circuit more than 250 employees in a few weeks using thousands and thousands of kilos of material stored throughout the year in a large warehouse in Nice. Before the GP, the historic Monaco GP took place a few days ago, where everything was already set up. And it’s remarkable to think that in just three weeks, with all this, stands, TecPro protections, wheel barriers… nothing remains but curved planes, coexisting in the city and in the open its circulation on the route.

Not suitable for all wallets

The port is full of trucks, from start to finish, and the sea, with cruise ships and the constant passing of boats where pilots come to the paddock. A 5 minute ride from the paddock to the promenade is 20 euros. And glamor is not for everyone’s budget. A beer at La Rascasse costs around 12 euros. And on the other side of the track, in the same place as La Rascasseunder the harbor porticos, a seafood restaurant offers a crab dish for 159 euros and a combination with lobster for 220, or 30 grams of caviar for 195 euros. But if you want tapas, you can order a side dish 6 shrimp for 24. Before there was a hamburger restaurant right next door where you could eat for about 30 euros, but they changed it for a restaurant more suitable for VIPs and luxury.

Of course, nothing compares to staying in the myth Hotel Fairmont Monte-Carlo, just above the tunnel and with an entrance door facing the curve of the Grand Hotel. There, a room service burger costs 70 euros. Nothing compares to the price of the rooms: 5,000 per night for a double room without a view of the central patio. 20,000 per night for a sea view room and 29,000 a night for one of their suites. Furthermore, in its width ‘Hall’ has jewelry stores and even home sales agencies. In case on the way to the room you got the ‘bug’ to buy a villa in Monaco. In addition, it is located near the Casino, where Ferraris are the main protagonists as they enter the streets where luxury and fashion are the order of the day.

But let us return to the porticoes of Rascasse. Just above the aforementioned (and forbidden) seafood restaurant is the press room, which has no view of the circuit. There, around 12:00, two trays with several dozen sandwiches were distributed to hundreds of journalists. They flew away. They usually serve sweet ham or cheese sandwiches. Meanwhile, this humble journalist was writing this article without eating because he was working in the paddock and not in the press room when insufficient rations arrived for all the press present. What an irony. At the most luxurious, glamorous, and one of the most mythical and prestigious GPs, the worst catering of the year is served.

The comparison is painful after coming from Imola, where the ticket for lunch and dinner was given to all the press to go to the restaurant at the circuit, where you can choose between two pasta dishes, two main courses and four side dishes, dessert and coffee. That’s how you work better. Of course, there is a vending machine with a bag of chips and candy. The solution, amidst all the charm, is to bring food from any supermarket.

F2 paddock in an indoor car park

They also don’t experience the glamor of F2. Because there is not enough space, their trucks and cars are parked on top of the nearest parking lot. Due to the roof of the parking lot, their trucks cannot deploy the upper part, which serves as room for pilots and families. Part of the price to pay to experience an iconic and special GP. The Monaco GP is unique in every way.

The best walk to the paddock

Exactly, the journalists’ cars are located in the lower part of that parking lot. To get to the circuit you need to go early to avoid the traffic jam. Although the accesses are very well regulated by the authorities, with special lanes for the accredited (unlike in Imola). Those who have never been to the Monaco GP might think that entering the city must be a riot. But quite the opposite because of the ease of passing through its many tunnels. Touring the city below is easy and intuitive.

You can get to Grand Prix by motorway, but without a doubt, the best option from Nice (cheaper to stay), apart from the train which leaves you by the side of the tracks, is reachable from the coast road. In the morning, where the sun shows an orange glow, The views of the Mediterranean coast are spectacular. And exiting the parking lot, journalists will possibly take the best path of the year to the paddock just above the cliffs of Monaco. The Mediterranean Sea accompanies you as you arrive at the stairs leading to the port, where the paddock is located.

Previously, you passed in front of a solarium concrete, ready for locals to jump into the water and sunbathe. And an outdoor gym with at least one punching bag, everything is fully taken care of. There, the early risers were already taking care of their bodies when we arrived on the route. You’ll see a VIP, wearing a shirt and hanging his badge, doing push-ups to make his clothes tighter… There, you’ll imagine how wonderful life is in a magical place as long as you. have a bank account to burst.

But when I went down the stairs, The smile is even bigger because you understand that you are in a magical place, among Formula 1 on possibly the most iconic circuit in the world. One of the few that has endured since the category was founded in 1950 with Silverstone, Spa and Monza. there where Ayrton Senna and many other drivers became legends. Undoubtedly, one of the best Grand Prix to witness. A place of pilgrimage for any fan.

Race track by day, dance floor by night

But undoubtedly, the most striking thing about Monaco is the night. When the sun goes down it is possible to appreciate the dozens of colored lights on the boats and their music. Racing Week, on television, may be the most boring Grand Prix in the world (Saturday, one of the most exciting). But for VIPs, the F1-seeking public, To experience it ‘in situ’ is something magical, a perfect offer for this kind of attendees from all over the world.

And for ordinary fans, the F1 track turns into a dance floorand. Where there is only asphalt for cars, the place is located at La Rascasse (including Flavio Briatore’s pizzeria) bring out their tables, bars and chairs to take over the dance floor and make it a big party with lots of DJs, loud music, lots of drinks and even food stalls. In full layout! There, nightclub bouncers replace commissioners. It’s like you’re in the clubbing area of ​​Salou.

And in the chicane area of ​​the pool, dozens of people with drinks in hand taking pictures of the circuit pianos. and stepping on them to prove if they are real. Can’t think of any other route. Only.

A few hours later, the F1 cars will give it their all on the same asphalt that at that moment is full of cigarette butts and possibly spilled alcohol. Part of Monaco’s uniqueness. Its magic. A party day and night, continuous for those who can afford it. It’s up to this humble journalist to write. Our party is the cars that give everything on the track. Pure magic. The Monaco GP. In its lights and shadows, it always shines. Only one in the world.