If you followed the Monaco Grand Prix news a few weeks back, you’ll have no doubt heard about the huge array of celebrities in attendance. Fact is, as much as we love heading to Monte Carlo for the fantastic sports cars and race itself, we must admit that the stars and royalty in attendance are a big part of what makes this such a fun event to attend year after year.
Those attending this year had the opportunity to hobnob with the likes of Patrick Dempsey, Lady Victoria Hervey, Victoria Silvstedt, several of the cast of Game of Thrones, and Ronan Keating, to namedrop a few of the famous folks in attendance. Lewis Hamilton happily posed for selfies with fans, and superstar DJ Carl Cox played a set at Zelo’s nightclub in Monaco.
Whether you’re impressed with movie stars, royalty, or celebrities of the sporting kind, Monaco never disappoints. Duane Penner, Roadtrips VP of Sales, attends the Monaco Grand Prix almost every year, and says that his biggest sightings over the years have included Bono, David Beckham, Elizabeth Hurley, and David Hasselhoff. “I was there one year partying with Boris Becker. For some people that’s just an old guy they’ve never heard of, but to me he is one of the greatest tennis players ever,” says Penner.
The Amber Lounge is where the hottest Monaco Grand Prix parties happen, and access is an add-on that many of our guests choose to do with us when coming to this event.
“The drivers come every Sunday to the Amber Lounge, so if you’re an F1 fan then it’s super cool because all the guys are there and they’re hanging out together, looking to have a good time now that the stress is over. It’s quite the party,” Penner says. “The drivers being there pulls out the other celebrities, such as Nicole Scherzinger who is dating a driver, plus there are supermodels, and past-drivers are all there. The Prince of Monaco and his wife are always at the Amber Lounge at least once, which is also pretty cool.”
The Amber Lounge is one of the best places to spot celebrities en mass, literally hanging out in groups, which is quite the thing to see. You’ll also see them in hospitality, either in one of the team paddocks or clubs. “Sometimes you’ll be there in a paddock and not realize that you’re standing just a few feet away from a celebrity until they flash up on one of the screens there,” says Penner.
It rained on race day this year, which was annoying, but it did lead to a very dramatic race with all the crashes and messing up on the tire change – this will be a race that people will talk about for a long time just because it had so much drama. “There’s always something different with Monaco, but the things that stay the same – the cars, the celebrities, the yachts, the money – just make it incredible,” says Penner. “Every year we take guests who aren’t even race fans, they just go because all that history and glamour attracts them. For some people it’s just something that they have to check off the bucket list, but for other people they go regularly.”
Are you ready to cross the Monaco Grand Prix off of your bucket list? We’re organizing another great trip there for 2017, and can create a customized itinerary that gets you close to the race action and all the fabulous extras that make this event so special. Contact us to start planning this dream trip.
Alison Baker is the lead writer in Roadtrips’ marketing department. An avid traveller and passionate sports fan, she’s found her ideal fit at Roadtrips, one of the leaders in sports travel. Alison’s enjoyed working in the travel industry for the last 20 years and had the opportunity to experience it from all sides, from sales and marketing to quality assurance and hosting.