Bernie Ecclestone is not harbourside this year — he was at home in rain-soaked Gstaad when I spoke to him — but he summed up the magic of Monaco thus: ‘When someone new wants to hold a race they always promise, “We’ll do this better than Monaco”. It is seen as the gold standard.

‘When people wanted to go to one race, they’d pick Monaco.’

I can see why looking over the sun-kissed harbour, hundreds of boats bobbing in the Principality for which clichés were invented.


 

Among the questions I most often get asked, such as what is Lewis Hamilton really like, comes which is your favourite race? I was told a rule of thumb when I started on the Formula One journey: if it starts with ‘M’ it’s a good one. Monza, Montreal, Melbourne and, obviously, Monaco.

It is a good theory even if Montreal has lost some of its allure, given there are many other good city venues now whereas when I started there were not so many, plus hotel prices have spiralled into orbit and waiters expect a country estate as a tip for being so competent as to not spill your burger on your lap.

The Monaco Grand Prix is back as F1 returns to the setting of its most glamorous event
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The Monaco Grand Prix is back as F1 returns to the setting of its most glamorous event

A shot taken over the Monaco street circuit shows off the glitz, glamour and tight street circuit
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A shot taken over the Monaco street circuit shows off the glitz, glamour and tight street circuit

Money — the biggest ‘M’ of all in these parts — illustrates the story of Monaco’s special status
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Money — the biggest ‘M’ of all in these parts — illustrates the story of Monaco’s special status

Bernie Ecclestone is not harbourside in Monaco this year but summed up the magic of the GP
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Bernie Ecclestone is not harbourside in Monaco this year but summed up the magic of the GP