Superyachts, hypercars and Monegasque extravagance. The speciality of the Monaco Grand Prix. The combination of horsepower and Mediterranean coastline has established Monte Carlo as the jet-setter playground for nearly a century, and there’s no sign of it settling down soon. The prestige of the Monaco GP transcends the 78 laps of the city circuit. It leaks into the culture surrounding the race. It has become more than a spectator sport, but a beckon to the world’s rich and famous.

The Monaco Grand Prix is often held in late may, around the middle of the racing calendar. This means Monte Carlo sits at linen shirt temperatures throughout the four day event. It really heats up on the traditional Sunday race day, though. With no rest on this particular Sunday, the Monaco circuit earns it’s place as one of the most technical to navigate as it constantly works against the drivers. Under most predictions, the Monaco GP wouldn’t make it onto the Formula One calendar if they applied today, due to the countless safety issues. However, the century-old prestige and unique culture of this particular race holds it firmly in place on the calendar. Of course, this means retaining the fleet of superyachts and exotic cars it attracts each year too.

Monte Carlo has been host to this race since 1929, with the extravagant nature of this racing super-event dating back just as far. Under the permission of the Prince of Monaco, the race was born, and the only precautions taken were the removal of civilian vehicles from the road. Barrons and playboy billionaires flocked to Monaco in their Bugatti and Mercedes to take part, with a few ending up in the Mediterranean from over-enthusiastic cornering. Many of these young adrenaline junkies were of noble or blue blood, forcing them to race under pseudonyms. The Monaco Grand Prix was the last great Masquerade Ball, far from the hushed nature of these occasions, this one shouted at the top of its lungs all across Monte Carlo.

When attending the grand prix, the most important question one should ask themselves is, to watch the race from a superyacht or a penthouse? If you wish to bask in the sun whilst floating in Hercule Harbour or enjoy some escape from the decibels produced by the race in a VIP viewing platform, there are plenty of options. One of the most unique things about the Monaco Grand Prix is the ability to be in such luxury whilst completely immersed in the race. The superyacht one can view the race from, sits just off Tabac Corner, allowing the spectator to witness the entire approach and tackling of this 100mph corner. This part of the track has been virtually unchanged since its inception in 1929, and the very spirit of the Monte Carlo racing culture has become almost tangible. Decades of racing, countless legends and hundreds of celebrities and royals have enjoyed the race from the same portion of the marina. One can join the list of those lucky enough to experience such a spectacle.

A long weekend on the Riviera wouldn’t be complete without some extravagant excess, and the Friday-night after party certainly provides this. Aboard the Formula 1 superyacht, the open bar sits as the central point of your evening, providing fine wines and champagne to guests. The very same guests may look out from this point, where one is welcomed to Monte Carlo by moonlight. Boutique storefronts sit at the foot of luxury apartment blocks, which cascade up to the glow of the Monte Carlo Casino. All of this is framed by the faint silhouette of the Côte d’Azur’s mountainous interior. The Monaco Grand Prix is unstoppable when it comes to providing exclusive experiences to its visitors.

The Amber Lounge is no exception to this, serving as the pinnacle of Monaco’s after-party experiences, sporting world-class DJs, champagne and A-List celebrities. The Monaco Amber Lounge continues the theatrics of race day far on into the night by swapping high-octane fuel for free-flowing champagne. A trackside yacht for a VIP booth. The premium party experience at the most prestigious jet-setter event on the planet is a truly unique experience.

It’s not unusual to come face to face with legends of the sport when watching the race from your VIP lounge or penthouse viewing platform. Max Verstappen is one of many names to have appeared in these exclusive areas, as well as World Champion Damon Hill. Truly an unrivalled opportunity to come face-to-face with the names that have made the sport what it is. Whilst on your pit lane walk, or guided paddock tour, you can get even closer to the action. The paddock was previously off-limits to anyone who wasn’t a team member or media, but that’s no longer the case. The opportunity to brush shoulders with the superstars of Formula One whilst wandering through the Riviera’s most affluent marina is at one’s fingertips. It simply requires the opportunity to be taken.

The Monaco Grand Prix has become one of the most prestigious events on the yearly calendar by no accident. It’s an event that has been shaped and moulded by the globe’s jet-setters for years, right from the point of its inception under petrol-head princes, this motoring event was destined for greatness. Each year the yachts get bigger, the cars more exotic and the laps faster. Nearly a century later, the party still goes on.