Speed, Style, and Legacy – À la Vôtre!

Text & Images: James Nicholls

The 15th edition of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique was held from 24–26 April. Organised by the Automobile Club de Monaco under the High Patronage of Their Serene Highnesses The Prince and The Princess of Monaco (Albert and Charlène to their friends), with the support of the Prince’s Government, the Municipality and the Société des Bains de Mer, it remains the culmination of historic motor racing and a celebration of style perhaps surpassed only by the Cannes Film Festival a few weeks later.

 Benefiting from its place on the legendary Monaco circuit and from a heritage stretching back to 1929, the Historic Grand Prix enjoys a setting unlike any other. The grandstands are already in place for the Historic GP, the Monaco E-Prix and the Formula One Grand Prix. Roads are closed, spectators descend on the Principality and getting from A to B around Monte Carlo becomes a tortuous affair. Yet it is all worth the effort for the glitz, glamour and thrills of red-blooded racing, whatever the age of the car.

 The circuit itself is 3.337 km long, with eight left-hand bends and eleven right-handers. Modern Formula One cars lap the circuit at astonishing speeds, with Lando Norris recording the fastest-ever Monaco Grand Prix lap in 2025 at an average speed of 171.729 km/h. By comparison, the fastest lap during the Historic GP stands at 1’30”669 in a 1982 March 821, while the pre-war Grand Prix and voiturette lap record was set by a 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B.

 Behind the glamour lies an extraordinary logistical operation. More than 1,400 marshals and controllers, supported by extensive medical, fire and recovery services, ensure the event is conducted safely around one of the most demanding circuits in motorsport. Safety barriers, surveillance systems, cranes, tow trucks and medical teams stand ready throughout the weekend.

 This year was particularly special as, for the first time, turbocharged Formula One cars were admitted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the turbo era in 1986. The result was a soundtrack even more dramatic than usual, with grids spanning almost six decades of racing history.

 The entry list was a spectacular survey of Grand Prix and sports-car racing. Amilcars and Bugattis from the 1920s shared the spotlight with Williams Formula One cars from the 1980s. Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Brabham, Cooper, ERA, Ferrari, Gordini, Jaguar, Ligier, Lola, Lotus, Maserati, McLaren, Penske, Renault, Surtees, Tyrrell, Veritas and Wolf were among the many marques represented, illustrating the extraordinary breadth of machinery gathered in Monaco.

 Old-timers and young-timers alike filled the paddock, the grandstands and the streets. As one walked the circuit, familiar faces appeared around every corner. Among them were influencer Lea Frentzen, daughter of former Formula One driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen, and former Formula One star Thierry Boutsen, whom I had last encountered at the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance.

 Another highlight was catching up with the owner of the Methusalem Racing team. In addition to competing himself, he fielded cars driven by two legendary Formula One names: Jacky Ickx and Jean Alesi. Unfortunately, Alesi’s beautiful 1969 Ferrari 312 suffered an accident during Friday’s running. Despite an overnight effort by the team led by Gigi Barp, former Ferrari test driver and technical specialist, the car could not be returned to the grid the following day. Happily, the team’s second Ferrari 312, formerly raced by New Zealand ace Chris Amon, continued to compete.

 One of the great pleasures of the Historique is seeing these extraordinary machines at speed on the very streets where racing legends made their names. Monaco’s corners remain as evocative today as ever: Sainte-Dévote, Beau Rivage, Massenet, the Casino, Mirabeau, the famous Fairmont hairpin, Portier, the Tunnel, Tabac, Piscine, Rascasse and Antony Noghès. Each corner has its own history and character, and each presents a unique challenge to the drivers.

 The circuit is inseparable from the story of Monaco itself. It was here that local hero Louis Chiron won his home Grand Prix in a Bugatti Type 51 in 1931. For decades he remained the only Monegasque winner until Charles Leclerc finally repeated the feat in 2024, delighting local fans.

 Beyond the circuit, Monaco provides one of the most spectacular backdrops in world motorsport. The multi-million-dollar racing cars are matched by the fleet of superyachts filling Port Hercule. It was here in 1955 that World Champion Alberto Ascari famously plunged his Lancia D50 into the harbour before swimming to safety. Ten years later, Australian driver Paul Hawkins repeated the feat in his Lotus 33 Climax.

 The Ascari story remains one of motorsport’s most remarkable coincidences. Alberto Ascari was killed at Monza just days after surviving his Monaco harbour accident. His father Antonio, also a celebrated racing driver, had likewise died following an earlier accident. Both men died at the age of 36, on the 26th day of the month, adding an almost mythical dimension to the family’s tragic history.

 Yet for all the racing, the glamour remains an inseparable part of the Monaco experience. Luxury yachts, elegant hotels, designer fashion, jewellery and fine watches form part of the spectacle. In this uniquely flamboyant setting, historic motor racing becomes something more than a sporting event. It becomes a celebration of speed, style and legacy unlike any other in the world.

 Monaco remains the ultimate stage for historic motor racing, where engineering masterpieces, legendary drivers and timeless elegance come together in one unforgettable weekend.