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Champagnë & Caviar

Welcome aboard your floating oasis., based in the magical waters of the mediterranean all year round..

Experience the exquisite charm of Monaco from the decks of Superyacht “CHAMPAGNE & CAVIAR”, the crown jewel of Pickering Luxury Charters. Enviously moored in the azure waters of the Port of Monaco, this 112″ Custom Line Superyacht offers the epitome of sophistication for your next European journey. From the moment you step aboard, beauty surrounds you on “CHAMPAGNE & CAVIAR”.

5 suites for up to 12 guests

Custom-made italian linen, based in port hurcule, monaco, onboard luxury day spa, luxury bvlgari amemnities, term charters & corporate charters, beach club & williams turbo jet tender & two seabobs, large sundeck bar & beds.

Ultimate
luxury

Based in the magical waters of the Mediterranean all year round, “CHAMPAGNE & CAVIAR” awaits your beck and call for your next luxury yacht charter.

This 112″ Custom Line Superyacht offers everything and more.

We guarantee the experience of a lifetime.

A culinary experience like no other.

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Whether you’re marking a milestone birthday or commemorating a cherished anniversary, “CHAMPAGNE & CAVIAR” provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable private celebration.

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Our crew is here to amplify your escape.

There is a myriad of adventures, activities and memories waiting.

Come on board and discover more.

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The largest yacht at the Monaco Grand Prix is the 624-foot-long Ritz-Carlton Evrima. The luxury cruise, featuring opulent $100,000 suites with private terraces, offers well-heeled travelers an unrivaled vantage point for the Grand Prix experience.

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Monaco, the ultimate yacht destination on the Côte d'Azur

Posted January 17, 2024 in Lifestyle by Ashleigh King

The Principality of Monaco is considered the world’s ultimate yachting destination, home to some of the finest superyachts, ultra-exclusive marinas, and luxury yacht service providers, including leading Monaco yacht brokerages like Northrop & Johnson. 

From Monaco, yacht owners and charterers can discover the delights of the French Riviera, indulging in exclusive beach clubs, lavish resorts, Michelin-starred restaurants, designer boutiques, and some of the Mediterranean’s most picturesque cruising grounds.

Here, we take an in-depth look at Monaco, including its superyacht infrastructure, real estate market, world-class events, luxury amenities, the best way to get around the principality, and Monaco’s culture. 

Monaco’s superyacht infrastructure 

Where can I berth my yacht in Monaco?

Monaco is home to several world-class marinas, including Port Hercules, Port Fontvieille, Mareterra, and Cala del Forte.  

Port Hercules

Port Hercules is a natural deep water port at the foot of Monaco’s legendary ancestral rock. The port boasts 760 berths, including 30 visitor berths, along with a host of services, including two private careening areas and two shipyards. The marina is flanked by multiple bars and restaurants, while the exclusive offerings of Monte-Carlo are just a short walk away. Adjacent to Port Hercules is the Yacht Club de Monaco, designed by Lord Foster, which offers a selection of refined amenities, including a gym, restaurant, library, and meeting spaces.

Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco 30, quai l’Hirondelle 98000 MONACO

Tel : (+377) 97 77 30 00 (Tapez 1 pour le port Hercule)

Port Fontvieille

The Port Fontvieille offers full marina services in the heart of the principality. The marina can accommodate up to 290 boats with a maximum draft of 15 meters. Surrounding the vibrant marina, yachting enthusiasts will find a good selection of bars, restaurants, and service providers catering to superyachts. Close to the port, there are several restaurants, bars, and shops, the Louis II sports stadium, as well as the Monaco heliport, providing seamless transfers to the Nice Cote d’Azur airport.  

Quai Jean-Charles Rey 

98000 Monaco

Harbour Master: +377 97 77 30 15

Cala del Forte

Cala del Forte is Monaco’s newest port. While this Monaco yacht marina is operated by Monaco Ports, it is actually located just across the border in Italy, Ventimiglia. This brand-new, state-of-the-art marina features 178 berths for motor yachts and sailing vessels up to 70 meters. The marina boasts a wide range of facilities, including a shipyard, fuel station, charging points, a selection of shops and restaurants, and mooring assistance. Guests can also enjoy direct access to the historical town of Ventimiglia Alta via elevator. The marina is just 7.9 nautical miles from the Principality of Monaco and is served by a dedicated electric shuttle service.

Cala del Forte, Passeggiata G. Marconi 5, 18039 Ventimiglia IM, Italy

Marina Manager: 

Tel. +39 0184 33109

Mob. +39 347 9529545

Email: [email protected]

The soon-to-be-completed marina at Mareterra, Monaco’s new eco-district, will offer around 15 berths for motor yachts and sailing vessels. The marina will provide easy access to the service providers in Mareterra, as well as direct access to the district of Larvotto along a purpose-built seafront promenade.

When is the best time to visit Monaco on a luxury yacht charter?

The best time to visit Monaco on a luxury yacht charter is during late spring, summer, and early fall, when you can enjoy superb weather and some of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular events, such as the Monaco Grand Prix. 

Average air temperatures in Monaco

Winter (December to February):

• Daytime temperatures typically range from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius (50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Night-time temperatures may drop to approximately 5 to 10 degrees Celsius (41 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit).

Spring (March to May):

• Daytime temperatures start to rise, ranging from about 15 to 20 degrees Celsius (59 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Nights become milder, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius (50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Summer (June to August):
• Daytime temperatures are at their highest, often reaching 25 to 30 degrees Celsius (77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher.
• Nights are warmer, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit).

Fall (September to November):

• Daytime temperatures begin to decrease, ranging from around 15 to 20 degrees Celsius (59 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Night-time temperatures gradually drop, ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius (50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit).

Monaco luxury real estate 

Why is monaco real estate so sought after.

Monaco’s real estate market is considered the most exclusive in the world. Indeed, Monaco boasts the highest price per square meter in the world.

Whether you are a property owner or yacht owner, Monaco is considered the ultimate destination along the Cote d’Azur, with high-end service providers and an infrastructure dedicated to catering to the needs of the most discerning individuals. For Monaco yacht owners, owning or renting property in the city-state provides immediate access to the best yacht service providers and some of the world’s most glamorous cruising grounds.

Luxury real estate agents, like La Costa Properties Monaco, work as trusted advisors to the world’s wealthiest individuals seeking to buy, sell, or rent property in the principality. As a family run real estate agent in Monaco with more than 40 years of expertise, the team at La Costa Properties Monaco boasts access to the very best Monaco property for sale , as well as highly exclusive off-market properties.  

Monaco luxury events 

What are the best monaco events.

There are several spectacular events that take place in the principality. These include:

Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters

The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters takes place every April and is a popular sporting event with tennis enthusiasts. The Monte-Carlo Masters is the first of three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments played on clay and is set against a stunning backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. The best way to enjoy this eight-day tournament is aboard a luxury yacht charter, offering a private and exclusive escape. A luxury Monaco yacht charter is also an ideal option for corporate hospitality.

Formula One Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix is without question one of the highlights on the annual Monaco events calendar, taking place every June. The principality comes to life as the streets are transformed into one of Formula One’s most exciting racetracks, and extravagant parties are held at VIP destinations across the principality. During this prestigious event, Monaco yacht charters are in exceptionally high demand, with prime berths located in Port Hercules just meters from the legendary track.  

Monaco Yacht Show

The Monaco Yacht Show is the world’s most prestigious yacht show, held every September in Port Hercules. The show boasts the world’s largest display of luxury superyachts, global debuts, and leading service providers. Alongside the yachts, guests can enjoy a luxury lifestyle showcase and various informative seminars and workshops.

Monaco luxury amenities 

What are the best restaurants in monaco.

Monaco is without question the undisputed dining capital of the Mediterranean, home to some of the world’s most critically acclaimed restaurants. Some of the best Michelin-starred restaurants include:

• Le Louis XV Alain Ducasse at l’Hotel de Paris, 3 Michelin stars
• Le Blue Bay, 2 Michelin stars
• Yoshi, 1 Michelin star
• Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, a restaurant by Yannick Alleno, 1 Michelin star
• Le Table d’Antonio Salvatore au Rampoldi, 1 Michelin star
• Le Grill, 1 Michelin star

Other notable restaurants include:

• Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac  

Where are the best shops in Monaco?

The Principality of Monaco boasts a superb selection of shops, including local retailers and international designer boutiques.

The most exclusive shops can be found around the Carre d’Or in Monte-Carlo, along the Monte-Carlo Shopping Promenade. Here, you will find a handpicked cluster of 40 high-end boutiques, including the biggest names in haute couture, designer fashion, perfumes, and jewelry, in a stunning setting that perfectly reflects the prestige of these iconic luxury brands. 

Peppered across the Principality, there is also a superb selection of local boutiques offering a selection of made in Monaco products, ideal for taking back home as a keepsake. 

Getting around Monaco 

A superb infrastructure ensures getting around Monaco is effortless, with multiple options available, including by foot, bicycle, or limousine.

The principality has ambitious aims to reduce its greenhouse gases and has therefore invested heavily in multiple eco-friendly modes of transportation. 

Monaco’s small size means that reaching most destinations is possible by foot, with beautifully maintained footpaths, underpasses, elevators, and lifts, enhancing the city-state’s accessibility. 

By electric bike 

For those wishing to traverse the principality by pedal power, the Monabike scheme offers electric bikes, with 43  bicycle docks strategically located throughout the principality, providing access to nearly 390 electric bicycles.  

By limousine  

One of the most exclusive and private ways to travel in Monaco is by private limousine. There are several limousine companies offering a fleet of luxury executive cars for a personalized VIP service.

Monaco culture 

Monaco has a rich and varied culture heavily influenced by its neighbors, France and Italy. Many of the principality’s residents are ex-pats, with a significant portion from France, Italy, the UK, Belgium, and Switzerland. Only around one in five residents are of Monegasque descent. This vibrant mix of residents creates a rich tapestry of cultures. 

Monaco’s official language is French; however, English is widely spoken. You’ll also hear Monaco’s traditional language, ‘Munegascu,’ or ‘Monegasque’ a language which has its roots in Genoese. The Principality is governed by Prince Albert II, the hereditary ruler who ascended to the throne following his father’s death in 2005. 

Best Monaco Views 

With an enviable location on the Mediterranean Sea, spectacular views can be enjoyed throughout the Principality. However, some of the best Monaco views can be enjoyed from: 

• The Jardin Exotique Botanical Gardens
• Le Rocher, or The Rock of Monaco
• The Oceanographic Museum
• Some of the finest luxury real estate, especially high-rise residential Monaco buildings, such as Tour Odeon, Jardin Exotique, Château Perigord Monaco, Millefiori Monaco, the Monte-Carlo Sun, Annonciade, Park Palace, Parc Saint Roman, and Mirabeau.

If you would like to learn more about chartering or buying a yacht in the Principality of Monaco, contact the team at Northrop & Johnson. 

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MonteCarlo Times

MONACO’S FAMOUS HISTORIC YACHTS AND MORE

The “Pacha III” looks almost “tiny” with its 36 meters, but the timeless beauty is still a place of honor in the harbor. After all, it belongs to the oldest sister of Prince Albert II, Princess Caroline . Although it is not one of the largest luxury yachts in the Principality of Monaco, it is often the center of interest. Dozens of paparazzi photos show Caroline of Hanover and her Casiraghi sprouts along with partners and friends on the legendary boat. Could she say, the 79-year-old “Pacha III” would have something to say. The yacht was bought just before the death of Caroline’s second husband, Stefano Casiraghi, son to a prominent Italian family, who died in an off-shore crash in October 1990 off the coast of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, near Monaco. Since then “Pacha III” has a special meaning for Princess Caroline and her family. In the year 2000 Stefano‘s mother, Fernanda Casiraghi-Biffi, was awarded the Foglio Italiano of Montecarlo – Foglio d’Oro Prize for her merits in charity events and as President of Engeco SAM, (now owned by Pizzarotti &C S.P.A.) a very important building company in the Principality. It is an habit to the Monaco family to have composed names yachts: Princes Rainier and Grace used to own “Stalca” St (ephanie) Al (bert) Ca (roline) a yacht, after naming Albercaro Alber (t) and Caro (line) their first yacht. Princess Stephanie named her yacht “Louine”, of course after her two first kids, Lou (is) and (Paul) ine . In the XIX and XX centuries, Prince Albert I , great-great-grandfather of Albert II, owned four, increasingly impressive research yachts: Hirondelle, Hirondelle I, Princess Alice and Princesse Alice I, named after his second beloved wife, the American-born Alice Heine , Duchess of Richelieu . Back to the Caroline and Stefano’s boat, previously she already had several names such as Briseis, Cardigrae, Priamar and Arlette II. The name “Pacha III” is made up of the initials of their three children Pierre, Andrea and Charlotte together. Pacha , means P (ierre) A (ndrea) Cha (rlotte). Also, it is a nice coincidence that the initial of Alexandra, the Caroline and Ernst August Hanover ‘s daughter, is the last letter of Pacha… Caroline had to add the “III” because there existed already a Pacha, Pacha I and a Pacha II. She was originally built in 1936 by the British shipyard Camper & Nicholson in Southampton. Her dark blue steel hull is slender 5.60 meters wide and has a draft of 2.50 meters. On board nine guests can be accommodated by seven crew members. The Grimaldi Clan uses the yacht regularly for trips in the Mediterranean. Now Caroline’s children are increasingly using the boat. So also recently newlewds Pierre Casiraghi and noblewoman Beatrice Borromeo .

Probably no other family of rulers of Europe can be seen under the media’s observation, like the Monegasque princes’ house. The millenarian history of the Grimaldis is at least as interesting as their current glamorous performances. Fast boats and beautiful women, international jet set, the Grimaldi Forum Congress Centre, the Prince’s committment to sustainability and once a year Formula 1 Grand Prix , the Rose and the Red Cross Gala, all this an much more is Monaco. But what would the dwarf state on the Côte d’Azur be without the Grimaldis? The princely family is probably the best PR machine for their country. Whether it’s the joy of the world or the catastrophe – (the Grimaldi Royal House, founded in 1297, is the oldest in Europe) the world is there live. The Grimaldis now land regularly on the covers of the boulevard and lifestyle media. The first attention is given to the first-born daughter Caroline (* 1957). The failure of their first and later annullated marriage to much older real estate agent Philippe Junot was also in the limelight as the accidental death of her second husband Stefano Casiraghi . Her last marriage to Ernst August Prinz of Hanover , to which she owes the title of Caroline Prinzessin from Hanover, always provides grateful material for the Yellow Press. Her younger sister, Stéphanie (* 1965), also contributed a lot to bringing the family back into the flash of lightning. Meanwhile the sisters have calmed down. Both engage in social projects; Caroline has three grandchildren, Stéphanie got three children from two marriages. HSH Albert II is now in the center of interest. No wonder he is a prince, he has a beautiful wife – and adorable twins.

Well, now I invite you to continue navigating the website and make a Graceful tour in the Galapagos with the Grace Yatch! Although M/Y Grace looks as young and chic today as the princess who honeymooned aboard her in the 1950s, she is nonetheless what the French call “une femme d’un certain age”: born in 1928, just before The Crash silenced the Roaring Twenties, she’s surrendered none of her youth’s glamour to the scars and wrinkles of a gallant life, including a stint chasing submarines during World War II. Combat aged on her, but benefactors like Aristotle Onassis, John Issa, and Prince Rainier ensured she was kept in the style to which she was accustomed. Now, as the M/Y Grace, she plies the waters of the Galapagos Islands, once again the elegant hostess to carefree, adventurous, perfect parties. M/Y Grace bore many names since Santiago Soulas, an Argentinean, commissioned her in Southampton. She weighed 298 tons, was 147 feet long, with a 23-foot beam and a draft of 12 feet. Soulas kept her four years before selling her to Zarch Couyoumbian, a Greek gentleman who named her Rion. In 1938, Sir George Tilley, chairman of the Prudential Insurance Co., acquired and enjoyed her until 1939, when the British conscripted her for the war effort. The Royal Navy – well-heeled in warships – needed smaller vessels for coastal patrols and snatched yachts from the Mediterranean and the Caribbean playgrounds. Rion found herself in a Tynemouth shipyard, stripped of her furnishings and paneling. She was strengthened to carry a 12-pound quick-firing gun on the forecastle, twin 40mm Oerlikons alongside the bridge and a rack on the stern holding eight 300 lb. depth charges. The corporate crew quarters were removed and hammock-hooks were welded to the deck. The forward suite became the operations and sonar room, another suite became the radio room, and the aft suite was an ammunition magazine. On October 21, 1939, she joined the Royal Navy with a crew of 20 under the command of Lt. T. Brydon, RNVR. She and 15 other vessels patrolled the entrances to the Solent and along the Isle of Wight: calm waters with the Germans focused on the skies.

On patrol off the Nab Tower, however, a Dornier 110 returning from a bombing raid stafed Rion. She took some damage to her superstructure but suffered no casualties. On May 26, 1940, during Operation Dynamo, Rion was dispatched to the beaches of Dunkirk to evacuate the British Expeditionary Force. She made three 39-mile runs from Dunkirk to Dover, each time delivering 300 soldiers. On her third run, a near-miss from a bomb off her starboard bow killed 14 soldiers and one sailor and left shrapnel holes in the hull. Repaired in Portsmouth, she resumed duty in the channels from Portsmouth to Southampton. Rion’s finest hour came on November 22, 1940 with a daring nighttime capture. She was patrolling south of the Isle of Wight with HMS Shemara and HMS Valera. At 2:44 a.m. radar contact was obtained 10 miles southwest. Lt. Brydon ordered pursuit and discovered a German E-boat floundering in the swells, and Rion and Shemara opened fire from astern of the boat. The Germans returned small-arms fire but surrendered when a shell from Rion hit her bridge. Rion escorted the E-Boat to the Portsmouth Harbour naval base. Rion had not finished yet: she discovered a submarine on the night of March 23, 1941, and made numerous depth charge runs, but the large oil slick seen at dawn was insufficient evidence to confirm that Rion had destroyed the U-boat. By June 3rd, Rion’s port engine had been crippled, and she was decommissioned for three months before returning to duty: stripped of armaments and refitted with three-tier bunks and a red cross painted on her sides and upper deck, she became an annex to the Royal Navy Hospital. Here she remained until the war’s end, when she was rechristened HMS Noir. On October 1945 she was decommissioned and 17 months later she arrived at her original builders—Southampton’s Camper & Nicholson—for restoration. On September 16, 1947 she was returned to Sir George Tilley. Upon Sir George’s death in 1951, Aristotle Onassis ’ charter firm acquired HMS Noir and renamed her Arion. Two years later, the yacht became property of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco as a wedding gift from Aristotle Onassis.

Over the course of the next 2 years the yacht was refitted to embark her new era as one of the most elegant and tasteful Galapagos Cruise yachts to sail the enchanted Galapagos Islands. The cabins are in the Sun Deck, the top-most deck of the yacht where one can find plenty of reclinable lounge chairs for sunbathing or for reading in the open air. The Albert Deck has 2 Master Suites and 2 Twin Suites with ocean-view windows. The captain’s bridge, the al-fresco lounge and al-fresco bar are also located on this deck. The Carolina Deck is fitted with 5 Premium Staterooms (double and twin) with ocean-view port-holes. The Monaco Deck is the main deck of the yacht with the interior dining room, the reception area and the main lounge. On the outside of this deck there are the al-fresco dining area, the stern resting area and the jacuzzi. And… A FABERGE IMPERIAL EGG EMBODIES A FABULOUS LUXURY YACHT FULL OF HISTORY: THE STANDART YACHT

MOSCOW. Last but not least, and exort ing you to read the Fabergé Eggs history in the CULTURE & MONACO WEALTHS wish to report a curiosity about fabolous luxury yachts , with the description of the Fabergé Standart Yacht Leaf Egg . The “Standart 1909” is a transparent hollowed-out rock crystal egg, mounted horizontally, with a gold band with inlaid leaves of green enamel and small diamonds marking the separation point between upper and lower halves, which bears the inscription “Standart 1909”. The surprise is a golden replica of the Imperial Yacht , the Standart Yacht, made of gold and platinum , and coated in vitreous enamel . The model rests on a carved bed of crystal representing the ocean, but can be removed from the egg.

The c5,500 ton Standart was commissioned by Tsar Alexander III in Copenhagen . It was launched in 1895 and was 116 meters long, which made it the largest yacht in the world at that time. Outfitted with ornate fixtures, including mahogany paneling, crystal chandeliers, and other amenities (including a stable with a cow to provide the imperial children with fresh milk) it was a floating palace for the Russian Imperial Family for their vacations in the Baltic Sea. The Russian Imperial Family was vacationing on the Standart during the summer of 1914, when they received the news of the aassassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, in Sarajevo, marking the start of World War I . After the Russian Revolution the ship was placed in drydock until 1936, when she was converted to a minelayer. During World War she played a significant role in the defence of Leningrad.

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• ← THE ROMANOVS AND THE GRIMALDIS. THREE CENTURIES OF HISTORY – XVII-XX – 6 October -13 November 2016
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What It Costs To Moor A Superyacht At The Monaco Grand Prix

Forget the F1 – booking a berth is the real race...

Image: Gareth Harford

Monaco. The billionaire’s playground. The kleptomaniac’s kryptonite. The ludomaniac’s lair. Superyacht city. Monaco is known as a fabulous place to spend money like wild (and to strut on a treadmill on the deck of your superyacht , whilst watching the F1).

Speaking of which, you might be interested to know how much it costs to moor a superyacht in Monaco during the Monaco Grand Prix. To answer this burning question, DMARGE spoke to Istanbul-based luxury yacht manager Candaş Balci.

Balci told us just to book a fairly average berth in Monaco “for F1 week” was around 30 thousand euros “for a 35-meter motoryacht for a place which had no view of track but inside the port.”

Balci explained: “There are different parts in the marina which have different rates depending on where the yacht will be.”

“If it sees the track or not, price changes as well,” Bali told us.

“The berths which directly see the track were around 50-100K euro for the week, which is almost their yearly berth fee in a normal marina.” Candas Balci

Browsing through Reddit’s F1 Technical page, one user posts a link to a photo which purports to give a list of Monaco’s pricing for 2019. The prices which appear in the photo seem more or less consistent with the pricing Balci gave DMARGE.

Another Reddit user said: “My old landlord used to work on super yachts and also happened to introduce me to f1 so I can at least give you an anecdotal response. He said to rent the slip during the race week was around 100k and there was usually a 20k ‘offering to the port master’ as a separate transaction. He called it a bribe but I’m not sure it’s fair for me to use his characterization.”

RELATED: Hotel Staff Reveal The Wildest Rich Person Requests They’ve Ever Received

Forbes also wrote about this topic a number of years back. They reported: “To moor in one of the world’s most expensive marinas during high season, a superyacht owner can be expected to pay up to $4,130 per night, and during prime time events such as the Monaco Grand Prix rates can skyrocket to $100,000 or more for a five-day stay in Monaco’s prime berths.”

Monaco’s Port Hercules has 700 berths. Ac cording to 212 Yachts , “During the Monaco Grand Prix, the port is filled to capacity, with berths booked well in advance of the event.”

212 Yachts also says that to get yourelf a berth you need to complete a port application form. This is a highly competetive process.

“For the best chance of a successful application, it is essential to submit this form as early as possible,” 212 Yachts states.

“In order to do this, you must first select your charter yacht as technical details of the vessel must be specified on the form. Those directly associated with the Formula One, the Monaco Grand Prix and the event sponsors are fast tracked in the process, contributing to the extremely competitive nature of this process,” ( 212 Yachts ).

There you have it: you can add knowing how much it costs to moor a superyacht in Monaco to your list of superyacht knowledge (which should also include knowing what it costs to spend a week on a superyacht in the medditeranean and why travelling around Europe on a superyacht is more stressful than you think ).

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The yacht-spotter's guide to the F1 Monaco Grand Prix

Every year, Monaco’s Grand Prix pulls in some of the fleet’s finest superyachts for a weekend of adrenaline-fuelled F1 action and A-lister events in the heart of the principality. Yachts moored stern to the circuit have a premium vantage point over the cars tearing around the track, while superyachts at anchor can enjoy all the Formula One buzz with the added benefit of privacy and seclusion. 

BOAT takes a closer look at the superyachts spotted near the event...

Renaissance

Length : 111.9m Builder : Freire

Renaissance is the largest private yacht built in Spain and one of the world's most expensive charter yachts . Which is quite the feat for Freire, a commercial shipyard that has built only one private yacht in the past. With 7,200GT to play with, her list of amenities include a sushi bar, a dedicated hair and beauty salon, a ballet bar with a mirror for stretching and two cinemas – one indoor, one outdoor. The owner's deck is described as "palatial" and comes with its own a media room, a lounge with bar and dining and a private terrace with a Jacuzzi for six.

Length : 52.1m Builder : Sanlorenzo

Spotted pulling into port with a Bugatti on the aft, Seven Sins is the perfect yacht for soaking up the Formula One action. She is part of Sanlorenzo's hugely successful 52Steel series, with features including a glass-bottomed pool on the aft that floods the beach club below with light. Her palatial interior design offers plenty of space for kicking back and watching the races in a more relaxed setting and her sharp Officina Italiana Design exterior is sure to attract attention in Monaco harbour. 

Length : 90m Builder : Benetti

Lionheart was launched in 2016 as the shipyard's largest build to date, though she was surpassed by the 107-metre Mar (ex Lana ) four years later. She was the third yacht to be ordered from Benetti by the same owner, Sir Philip Green. While her curvy exterior and private balconies will be visible to those visiting Port Hercule this weekend, interiors have always been shrouded in secrecy. It is known that  Stefano Natucci  collaborated with Benetti on the exterior design and Green & Mingarelli Design  is responsible for the interior design.

Fountainhead

Length : 87.8m   Builder : Feadship

Created with family use in mind, Fountainhead features a recreation room and library that can be converted into cabins to supplement the six existing guest cabins and owner's suite. She was designed by De Voogt Naval Architects and Sinot Yacht Design , though "a signature blend of art, antiques and aesthetics" by Belgian artist Axel Vervoordt are also displayed throughout.  Leisure highlights include a fully-equipped gym with health club, a contra-flow swimming pool and a tender garage that houses wave runners, kayaks, surfboard and diving equipment, among others. The superyacht is named after the famous novel by Ayn Rand.

Coral Ocean

Length : 72.6m Builder : Lürssen

A World Superyacht Award winner, Coral Ocean earned the judges' commendation following a sensitive, multi-million refit that converted the heritage vessel into a successful charter platform. All deck spaces were upgraded, including a reimagined sundeck that now houses a glass-sided spa pool, sunbathing and observation deck and a central deckhouse with a television lounge, dining area and bar. Coral Ocean was one of the largest launches of 1994 and her secrecy for the first two decades of her life solidified her as an icon for the German shipyard. She is owned by Australian garbage waste disposal giant Ian Malouf. 

Length : 72m   Builder : Lürssen

Delivered in 2006, Titania  (ex Apoise ) was put up for auction by her owner in 2010 and was snapped up for €33.75 million – roughly half the estimated value – by Phones4U tycoon John Caudwell. He then went on to refit, lengthen and rename the superyacht, which he discusses in an exclusive interview with BOAT International . Designed by Espen Øino and Francois Zuretti , the Lürssen was the star yacht in season six of The Crown and is a popular charter yacht. No wonder, as she sports a beach club that can be converted into a nightclub, an onboard masseuse and beautician and an impressive array of watersports – including a waterpark and a 12.7-metre slide.

Length : 70m Builder : Royal Denship

Force Blue first hit the water in 2002 as the 63.3-metre Big Roi , a trawler-style expedition yacht that has since been refitted to varying degrees. The most recent work was done at Lusben in 2022 and involved a seven-metre stern extension to allow for a large, wrap-around swim platform. The main deck was extended in the process as well. Design highlights include a black-tiled spa (with heated massage table), a cinema, a barbecue and dining area that turns into a disco and a dining room that doubles as a conference space. An elevator serves all decks.

Length : 67.5m Builder : Icon Yachts

The flagship of the Dutch shipyard, Loon (ex Icon ) is now anchored in Port Hercule where she is likely to cause another social media sensation . She was delivered in 2010 to a design by RWD , with clean, contemporary interiors by Studio Linse . A raised main deck pool is one of her many highlights with two panels of glass that filter natural light into the beach club below. A bar, gym, massage room and sauna are also found at this level. Loon was sold to a new owner in April 2023, after which she joined the charter fleet with IYC .

Length : 66m   Builder : Oceanco

AHS has undergone numerous name changes (she was sold and renamed mostly recently in January ) but started life as Dilbar in 2005. A successful charter yacht, she can be easily distinguished in port by her classic canoe stern. An interior by the late Alberto Pinto provides accommodation across eight cabins, including a full-beam owner's suite with its own lounge and adjoining private office. Other highlights include an outdoor cinema, a beamy sundeck with 19,000-litre pool and a helipad that transforms into a sun lounge.

Length : 49.9m Builder : Zepter

The Croatian yard's first superyacht offering, JoyMe is usually berthed in Cap d’Ail but has been sighted in Monaco for the past two Grands Prix. She’s one of the most recognisable yachts at the event, with her custom red and white exterior and unusual eye motif – said to be the eyes of the commissioning owner’s daughter. Leisure highlights include a Pop Art-inspired interior by  Marijana Radovic , a sundeck with a 3.5-metre Jacuzzi and a lower deck arranged with a gym, Finnish sauna and Hammam spa with sea views. Accommodation is across five cabins, including the "VIP deck" owner's cabin which has a walk-in bathroom, lounge and private sunbathing platform on the bow.

Length : 45.2m Builder : Royal Hakvoort

The most recent delivery on the list, Milele is one of this year's World Superyacht Award winners . According to the judges, she stood out thanks to her "incredible build quality” and surprising spaces on board. Most notable of these is the innovative foredeck garage, which stores a submarine and crane, and has a full entertainment suite with a large television screen built into its hatch. She was designed inside and out by Omega Architects with an efficient hull design by Van Oossanen Naval Architects .

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Founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and presided over by HSH Prince Sovereign Albert II since 1984, the Yacht Club de Monaco brings together more than 2500 members from 81 nationalities. Many of the world’s most prestigious private yachts fly the Yacht Club de Monaco’s burgee, testimony to its unique position on the international yachting scene.

Founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and presided over by HSH Prince Sovereign Albert II since 1984, the Yacht Club de Monaco brings together more than 2500 members from 80 nationalities. Many of the world’s most prestigious private yachts fly the Yacht Club de Monaco’s burgee, testimony to its unique position on the international yachting scene.

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The New Concept in Luxury Yachting: The Themed Yacht

• By Christopher White
• Updated: May 10, 2011

If you think that a Carnival Cruise Lines ship is a floating city, just wait until you see this. The creative team at Yacht Island Design has put forth its first proposal: the Principality of Monaco, a SWATH design will provide the beam and sea keeping ability needed to keep this nautical municipality afloat.

Multiple decks contain pools, spas, waterfalls, tennis courts, a lavish private master suite (located in the Prince’s Palace on the port bow) and accommodations for 16 guests and — brace yourself — 70 crew that the company estimates it will take to keep Monaco cruising along at 15 knots. The focal point of the design is “The Streets of Monaco,” which will feature re-creations of the Monaco Grand Prix race circuit (complete with go-carts for racing), the Hotel de Paris, the Casino, Café de Paris and the Lowes Hotel.

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Monaco Grand Prix Shook by Huge Crash After Malfunction – Two People Almost Hit

Alex harrington | may 26, 2024.

The Monaco Grand Prix, known for its opulence and historic racing, took a dramatic turn when a malfunctioning speedboat nearly struck pedestrians. As the F1 world focused on intense qualifying rounds, the unexpected incident took the shine away from the unlucky people involved.

During the F1 qualifying sessions, an unmanned speedboat in the luxurious "Billionaires' Row" area lost control, causing chaos in the harbor. It collided with a stationary yacht and a small dingy before mounting the dock jetty, narrowly missing pedestrians. The crash, captured in viral social media footage, showed the drama unfold.

While the harbor incident was a stark distraction, the track itself was not without drama. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc dominated the qualifying rounds, snapping Max Verstappen’s streak of pole positions with a blistering lap time of 1:10.270. This performance not only placed him at the pole but also positioned him as a potential first Monegasque to win the Monaco GP since 1931. The street circuit, known for its tight and unforgiving turns, saw significant driving from both rookies and seasoned drivers. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri emerged as a surprise contender, securing the second position on the starting grid, followed by Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris who showcased the competitive prowess of Ferrari and McLaren, both sat on the second row.

On the other hand, championship leader Max Verstappen faced setbacks after colliding with a wall during a critical moment in the qualifying sessions, which led him to start from P6. His incident, marked by his own admission of error, underscored setup issues that Red Bull have been grappling with all weekend so far.

Meanwhile, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secured P6 and P7, respectively, though Hamilton conveyed disappointment, pointing to potential shown in practice sessions that did not translate into qualifying success. Among other top ten qualifiers were Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo, Alex Albon, and Pierre Gasly. Notably, Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso suffered in the qualifying rounds, failing to make significant advancements and starting far down the grid.

ALEX HARRINGTON

Alex is the editor-in-chief of F1 editorial. He fell in love with F1 at the young age of 7 after hearing the scream of naturally aspirated V10s echo through his grandparents' lounge. That year he watched as Michael Schumacher took home his fifth championship win with Ferrari, and has been unable to look away since. 

Follow alexdoesf1

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How the super rich party at the Monaco Grand Prix

T he Monaco Grand Prix gets underway this weekend in Monte Carlo with its heady combination of glamor and adrenaline, not only for the tens of thousands who descend on the pristine principality, but for the millions watching across the world.

Even those who are typically indifferent to motorsports can find themselves enraptured, or at least intrigued, by the sheer spectacle of Formula One cars hurtling along the country’s winding streets.

It is also where you will find celebrities happily jostling their way through the crowds and cameras. “It is unlike anything I have ever been to, it is electric,” exclaimed Spider-Man actor Tom Holland while walking last year’s grid.

And of course, there is plenty of wealth on display.

Monaco is nicknamed “the billionaires’ playground” for good reason. Here, designer stores, supercars, multi-million-dollar yachts and astronomically priced restaurants are ‘la norme’, but during the three-day Grand Prix, the eye-watering ostentation increases three-fold.

When demand is high and options are limited, it is all to play for among the world’s wealthiest who are keen to revel in the race’s iconic location and party ‘til dawn.

If they are not using their own superyacht as a base, they might book into a private villa on the Côte d’Azur or check-in to Fairmont Hotel, Hôtel Hermitage or Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo itself.

A pioneer of Grand Prix party culture

Of course, it is not only about finding the finest suites to rest your head, but the premium spots for dining and clubbing, whether it is the top table at Cipriani, Sass Café or Café de Paris or the best booth at exclusive night spots such as Jimmy’z or Amber Lounge.

The latter has the distinction of being the go-to destination for the F1 fraternity, including Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, while previous guests have included Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Minogue and Prince Albert of Monaco.

Established in 2003 by former racing driver Eddie Irvine’s sister Sonia as a “post-race destination” for drivers and VIP guests, Amber Lounge is regarded a pioneer of the Grand Prix party culture.

Notably, it will be marking its 20-year milestone (there was a year off during Covid) as “the most exclusive party in the world” with panache over the Monaco weekend with three nights of events costing just over €1.5m ($1.6m) to produce.

There will be after parties at an Amber Lounge beach club on the terrace of Le Meridien Beach Plaza (the only hotel in Monte Carlo with its own private beach), as well as VIP viewing of the race from aboard a 108ft superyacht moored just feet from the circuit’s famous Tabac corner.

“The size of the yacht also means we are as close to the action as you can get, unlike the larger yachts that are pulled back (from the coast). It also feels more intimate and exclusive on board. We have a lot of repeat clients (typically from the US, UK and Middle East) who want to network and build relationships,” said Lauren Green, Managing Director of Amber Lounge who oversees logistics of the three-day pop-up event in Monaco, as well as other F1 locations including Singapore, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi.

Unsurprisingly, a ticket to one of the most coveted trackside spots does not come cheap.

A one-day VIP viewing package for the race itself on Sunday costs €3,500 ($3,800) per person — and the 65 available tickets sold out within two weeks of going on sale in May 2023.

While the dress code is ‘Riviera chic,’ shoes, however expensive, must be discarded on embarking so as not to ruin the yacht’s teak decking. Tickets include free-flowing beverages, including champagne, wine and signature cocktails, as well as food, a DJ and dancers before tenders return to shore at 6.30pm.

‘The center of the universe for a weekend’

At the club’s after parties held over the race weekend, a small army of waiting staff serve ever-flowing drinks for a 1000 strong crowd on Saturday and Sunday nights. On arrival, guests ring a bell and a gloved hand appears through a flower wall proffering a glass of champagne. Attendees have paid anything from €600 ($650) for entry to the afterparty on Saturday (the F1 qualifying day) to €800 ($870) on the Sunday (race day) in the hope they can party alongside drivers, celebrities and guests of high net worth, away from the public gaze.

For €40,000 ($43,400), partygoers can book what’s known as a “diamond table package” for 10 people — a prime table with unobstructed views of the stage and DJ booth (Fatman Scoop and Jax Jones are the acts for 2024), as well as cirqus-themed performances, and Methuselahs of champagne (6-liters) and premium vodka. Add an extra €10,000 ($10,800) on for a Salmanazar — a nine-liter bottle of champagne that requires a team of four to carry it to the table, or €20,000 ($21,600) for a 12-liter Balthazar-sized bottle.

The top-tier tables also have their own “hosts,” who act as a concierge; liaising with VIPs’ assistants or drivers to ensure guests can be greeted and escorted along the black carpet without having to queue.

Amber Lounge might be one of the most exclusive and expensive events taking place during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, but Monte Carlo itself is a veritable party hub. It’s common for champagne glasses and bottles to be cleared from the track from the previous night’s revelry ahead of that day’s qualifying or race sessions.

“The Côte d’Azur is one of the truly exceptional global destinations, and Monaco is at the heart of it. The scenery, the sophistication, and the opulence are unmatched,” said Bruce Bundrant, Senior Vice President of Business Development for rEvolution, a global sports marketing agency who lived in Monaco for three years as Commercial Director for AS Monaco FC.

“As a former resident, I can tell you there are two sides to the F1 Grand Prix arriving in Monaco. On one side, your town is now the center of the universe for a weekend where the top 1% of the 1% from all over the world arrive and engage in outrageous parties and events on yachts, at luxury hotels suites, and in hilltop mansions,” Bundrant explained.

“On the other, it’s the hybrid of the arrival of a hurricane and New Year’s Eve. A week out from the race, grocery store shelves are emptied as locals know it’s impossible to move around the principality when the F1 circus is in town. During the Grand Prix, your quiet, regular neighborhood bar has a line around the corner, charges a $100 cover charge, and a drink that typically costs $20 will be $50. But it’s a truly unforgettable weekend, with an unreplicable buzz and energy. Sure, it’s expensive, but come the Monday, things are back to normal.”

As normal as it can ever be in a place as excessive as Monaco. As the jet set move onto their next port of call, and the racetrack is dismantled, so too is the Amber Lounge club as preparations continue for their next F1 event, which will be Singapore in September.

“There is no rest at Amber Lounge,” Green quipped. “Just a lot of adrenaline. And a lot of coffee.”

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Zara and Mike Tindall spend weekend onboard luxurious yacht in Monaco

Princess anne's equestrian daughter married her rugby star husband in 2010.

Zara and Mike Tindall were pictured living it up on a lavish yacht in Monaco on Sunday. 

The couple jetted off to the A-listers paradise for day one of the F1 Grand Prix and were captured soaking in the sunshine with a glass of champagne. Zara looked beautiful wearing the Shadow Berry Print Maxi Dress from fashion brand Me and Em as she posed with influencer Zoe Hayes. 

Alongside the first  image were the words: "When Zoe met Zara." The duo couldn't have looked happier in the image. Zara swept her blonde locks back into a ponytail, adding glamorous peach-hued sunglasses and a slick of light pink lipstick to complete her look. 

As for accessories, Zara opted for two gold bracelets which she wore on the same wrist as her fabulous gold watch and a chunky gold ring. Zoe looked lovely wearing a vibrant green frilly maxi dress.

Meanwhile,  Mike was photographed unwinding on the ultra-luxe vessel, enjoying a gin and tonic as he relaxed on board. The Green Room, a company which Mike is an ambassador for and who organised the dazzling yacht, shared a candid image of the former rugby player, which Mike reshared on his social media. 

The couple appear to be abroad without their three children, Mia, ten, Lena, five, and Lucas, three, but they did enjoy some quality family time ahead of their travels. 

Earlier this month, the family stepped out to support Zara at the Badminton Horse Trials, something which they "really enjoy," according to Mike, who opened up about his children to HELLO! just over a week ago.

Whilst at his annual golf charity day, hosted at the Belfry Hotel in Birmingham, he said: "We really enjoy going to watch Zara compete – and Badminton was a lovely weekend. I think they [the kids] all really got a sense of what she does this year and it is always great to be able to support her as a family."

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Ahead of a busy summer for his equestrian wife, Mike added: "[We will be] hopefully getting some time away but Zara's season is in full swing so will just be a juggle around that and spending time watching her as well." 

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He continued: "It's very hard to sum up a typical day – with horses, dogs, kids and work I think I’d say no day is the same but that keeps things really fun and interesting!"

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Full recap of Friday and Saturday at the Monaco Grand Prix

F1 Monaco Grand Prix — start time, stream info

FOLLOW: live coverage of Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix right here

• Leclerc claims pole ahead of Piastri, Sainz & Norris
• Alonso (P16) & Perez (P18) exit Q1
• TV/Stream : ESPN (US), Sky Sports (UK)

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Stewards: No further action for Hülkenberg

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

After meeting with stewards, Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg has also been cleared of allegations he impeded during qualifying. Early in the session, Alpine driver Esteban Ocon radioed that the Haas driver had blocked him in Turn 3. Both cars were having issues with radio communications, hindering Hülkenberg from knowing Ocon was approaching. Here's more from the stewards:

"The team had attempted to warn Car 27 of the arrival of Car 31 on a fast lap but the radio communication system was not working reliably and the driver of Car 27 did not receive the messages. We heard the radio messages from the team to the driver but it appears that those messages did not go through to the car.

The driver of Car 31 confirmed that he too had issues with the communication system. We had similar reports of intermittent radio messages from another team today.

The driver of Car 31 acknowledged that, because the entry of Turn 3 is blind, the driver of Car 27 could not have known of his approach without the benefit of a radio warning. He also felt that, notwithstanding the fact that he caught Car 27, he was not materially impacted during that lap by Car 27 because Car 27 picked up the pace at Turn 4.

Given that the team had attempted to warn their driver appropriately of the arrival of Car 31; in the light of the technical issues with the radio communications; and the fact that the driver of Car 31 said that he was not materially impacted, we took no further action."

Stewards: No further action for Sainz

Getty Images

After both drivers met with the race stewards, Carlos Sainz will not be penalized for allegedly impeding Alex Albon during qualifying at Monaco earlier today. Sainz admitted to stewards that he knew Albon was coming on a push lap, but didn't have enough room at the exit of Turn 16 to give the Williams driver proper space. The stewards' judgment reads:

"The driver of Car 55 (Sainz) stated on hindsight that he could perhaps have gone off the track and thereby given Car 23 (Albon) more room but felt that he did not unnecessarily impede Car 23 as he took the necessary steps on the track to give him space.

The driver of Car 23 was able to complete his push lap and although he may have lost a tenth and a half in terms of time and was therefore affected, he said it was, in his mind, "grey" as to whether or not he was unnecessarily impeded by Car 55. He did not think this was a clear case of impeding. He acknowledged that the part of the circuit was particularly difficult at it is a sequence of blind corners and that Car 55 could not have seen Car 23 approaching any sooner.

In the light of the above, we took no further action."

Haas cars fail a technical check, summoned by stewards

According to a report from Jo Bauer, the FIA Formula One Technical Delegate, "The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked on car numbers 20 and 27. The LHS and RHS outermost area of the of the adjustable elements were exceeding the maximum allowed 85mm on both cars.”

The matter was referred to the stewards as it was not in compliance. If the stewards decide to issue a penalty, both Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg will be excluded from qualifying.

No surprises for Verstappen, despite his difficult Red Bull

Max Verstappen could have qualified higher had he not clunked a barrier on his final shot at pole in Q3. But that wasn’t so much a case of being unfortunate, as a result of his Red Bull's lack of grip.

And he doesn't expect to enjoy his race day either starting P6.

💬 "It's not something that came as a surprise to me because I knew our limitations already, coming into this weekend. But it's been bad. I can't take any curbs and it honestly feels like I'm driving a go-kart with no suspension and no damping.

“I felt really comfortable in the high-speed corners. At least that was enjoyable. But the low speed we're just losing too much.

"Looking at tomorrow, I mean, if it's just a straightforward race then there's not that much you can do. We don't have the fastest car, so it's not like we qualified out of position. We'll see what happens."

You’re on a boat!

Earlier this week, while Pat looked at how the 99 per cent can enjoy the Monaco Grand Prix, I did a bit of digging into how the ultra-rich do it, particularly those who want to watch from the water.

If you’ve got your own yacht, expect to cough up about $22,000 to park it in the harbor for the Thursday to Monday stretch. And that’s only if you’ve got a piddling 80-footer. The Monaco Yacht Club lists prices for boats up to about 230 feet — that would be $92,240, merci beaucoup. But hey, at least:

• there’s a high correlation between yacht owners and people who can afford such prices; and
• that parking spot includes access for two people to the marina’s clubhouse between Friday and Sunday.

If you don’t own a yacht but want to be on one, fear not: multiple outfits offer viewing packages that should scratch your itch. Irvine Consultancy hosts a Sunday post-race yacht party for 750 € ($814) that includes a “VIP buffet” and open bar (no liquor).

Senate Grand Prix’s “Surf and Turf” package includes viewing from various land-based points on Friday and Saturday, and access to a triple-decker yacht for Sunday’s race. Prices start at $8,540 per person, and include a three-night hotel stay, lunch, drinks, and souvenir lanyard.

You can read and rub your eyes more with the link below.

Monaco GP: How to enjoy F1’s most glamorous race weekend on the cheap

Sainz and Hülkenberg under investigation for impeding

A few drivers are meeting with race stewards about alleged impeding incidents during qualifying that could change the race order. We'll hear rulings within the hour, most likely.

• Nico Hülkenberg (P12) will meet with stewards about allegedly impeding Esteban Ocon (P11) in Turn 3.
• Carlos Sainz (P3) will meet with stewards about allegedly impeding Alex Albon (P9) in Turn 15. Albon was also summoned to discuss the incident, as is standard protocol.

Obviously either could affect the grid for tomorrow's grand prix.

A pleasant surprise from McLaren for Stella

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was happy with his team's Saturday, as Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris pocketed P2 and P4 respectively on the provisional grid.

Each is behind a Ferrari, while ahead of everyone else as they prepare for the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix. Here's Stella:

💬 "This is above where we hoped to be because at times, during qualifying as well, we saw many teams had the potential to be up for the first couple of rows of the grid.

"For Lando, the day was actually decided by the mechanics and the team responding in time to the problem we had with part of the advertising ended up in the under the car."

It's been a good period for McLaren. Let's see what the lean, mean yellow and green machines can do from those starting slots tomorrow.

Leclerc’s new engineer is way more of a chatterbox

Charles Leclerc got a new race engineer as of the last race at Imola, with Bryan Bozzi taking over from Xevi Marcos Padros, and I could hear a huge difference in their interactions during qualifying.

Bozzi is far chattier on the radio, particularly warming up for qualifying laps, providing information on the gaps between the cars and the tire usage.

Caption competition: The one with Leclerc & Piastri

Here's one for you caption competition fans out there. No prizes I'm afraid, short of our enduring respect, but our inbox is open for all your suggestions over this one involving Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri.

Ping them in an email to: [email protected]

Alonso blames traffic for Q1 exit

It felt a little more unfortunate than anything for Fernando Alonso , who also exited Q1 in his Aston Martin. Here's the Spaniard's reaction from the media pen:

💬 “A lot of traffic. That was a killer for our qualifying. I lost three-tenths with a car just in front. And then another two tenths in the last corner. There were three cars parked there. No one to blame. They cannot vanish. This is Monaco and the cars are very big.

"But yeah, we found ourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time today and this is very painful here in Monaco.

"It's going to be a parade of cars tomorrow, but we can do you it. We need to do the job on Saturday. We didn't manage it so we need to do better next time."

Perez not hopeful to his grand prix chances

Monaco is not the place to botch your qualifying, so there's a little bit of extra sympathy due to Sergio Perez as his Red Bull sits P18 for tomorrow's grid. Here's how the Mexican reacted after the Q1 exit:

💬 “I got into traffic on my lap, enough to lose a couple of tenths. We didn’t hook it together and this is the result. It's quite a bad day for myself; there’s nothing we can hope for tomorrow.

“We had the pace to get through but like always, you have to put it together when you have the chance.”

Could Piastri notch his first win?

Going into tomorrow’s race Leclerc is surely the favorite, but as the Ferrari driver noted qualifying isn’t quite everything in Monaco — and he’ll have the McLaren sophomore starting beside him on the front row.

Oscar Piastri has been knocking on the door lately, but has been held back by some rotten luck: a penalty bumped him off the front row at Imola last week, and an encounter with Sainz knocked him out of the running in Miami before that.

If he benefits from a clean race tomorrow, he’s got a really good shot at securing his maiden win, and McLaren’s second of 2024.

Leclerc: Qualifying isn’t everything in Monaco

Charles Leclerc couldn’t hide his grin while speaking after taking pole position in Monaco. But he’s been here before.

This is his third Monaco pole in F1, repeating the feat from 2021 and 2022, yet he’s never finished his home race on the podium. He said:

💬 “Really, really happy about the lap. The excitement is so high, it feels really good. However, now I know more often than not in the past that qualifying is not everything.

“As much as it helps for Sunday’s race, we need to put everything together for Sunday. In the past years we didn’t manage to do so.”

The Q3 shootout and provisional top-10

Here's how Q3 finished in the end, and that sharp end of the grid for tomorrow's Monaco Grand Prix:

• 1: LECLERC (FER) 1:10.270
• 2: Piastri (MCL) 1:10.424
• 3: Sainz (FER) 1:10.518
• 4: Norris (MCL) 1:10.542
• 5: Russell (MER) 1:10.543
• 6: Verstappen (RBR) 1:10.567
• 7: Hamilton (MER) 1:10.621
• 8: Tsunoda (RB) 1:10.858
• 9: Albon (WIL) 1:10.948
• 10: Gasly (ALP) 1:11.311

Tall order ahead of Verstappen

So that's official then – if Max Verstappen is to win tomorrow, he'll be just the fourth driver to ever win Monaco starting outside the top five.

The odds are certainly against him.

A brilliant lap from Leclerc at the end

It was only a small improvement by Charles Leclerc , but enough to ensure he got pole ahead of Oscar Piastri.

He's now got the perfect chance to try and finally win on home soil in Monaco. A brilliant performance.

LECLERC CLAIMS POLE AT MONACO 🏁

There it is! A 1:10.270 from Charles Leclerc 's Ferrari takes pole position for tomorrow's Monaco Grand Prix.

Q3: Into the final fight for pole

⏰ 10/12mins: The final two minutes. The final runs. Here's the current top three but that could - and probably will - all change:

• 1: Leclerc (FER)
• 2: Piastri (MCL)
• 3: Russell (MER)

BLACKPINK's Lisa flaunts stunning figure in yacht photos from Monaco

On the 26th, BLACKPINK's  Lisa posted photos on her Instagram with the caption, “Pit stop in Monaco.”

In the revealed photos, Lisa is seen striking various poses on a yacht. Dressed in a gold-toned crop top and mini skirt, she captivated attention with her superior proportions and unique aura.

Meanwhile, Lisa has been rumored to be in a relationship with Frédéric Arnault, the son of the head of LVMH. 

Last year, she renewed her contract with YG Entertainment for group activities and established her own label, 'Loud,' to continue her solo career.

aespa to release first full-length album 'Armageddon' today

A.C.E to release surprise single 'Supernatural' ahead of North American tour

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Targeting super yachts owned by Russian oligarchs could hit a nerve in Moscow

Poor transparency around ownership of assets can cause challenges, experts say.

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With sanctions levied and financial assets seized, Russian oligarchs have been scrambling to get their super yachts out of Western ports in search of safer harbours. 

One yacht, said to belong to Russian President Vladimir Putin himself, abruptly left port in Hamburg, Germany, just weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted wide-reaching sanctions. Others were not so quick to leave European ports. 

Authorities in La Ciotat, on France's Mediterranean coast, seized a yacht they say is linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Igor Sechin, the CEO of state oil company Rosneft. He was Russia's deputy prime minister from 2008 to 2012.

• Canada slaps sanctions on Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich
• Analysis With Russia pressing on and Ukraine digging in, how will Putin's war actually end?

Industry watchers say oligarchs everywhere are trying to keep their yachts from being taken.

​​"There's a few yachts that we are watching at the moment in the Atlantic," said Sam Tucker, head of super yachts at the firm VesselsValue, which tracks and estimates the value of these giant luxury yachts. 

"I'm expecting some of them to start doing U-turns in the middle of the ocean," he told CBC Radio's Day 6 .

Western countries have imposed a punishing package of sanctions and export control restrictions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Russia's biggest banks were hit, as was the country's central bank. Major state-owned companies and some of the country's wealthiest individuals have seen overseas assets frozen.

The investment bank JP Morgan Chase believes Russia's economy will shrink 35 per cent in the second quarter of 2022 and seven per cent for the entire year.

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki says the suite of sanctions is meant to make every aspect of life difficult on Putin and the oligarchs who protect him.

"What we're talking about here is seizing their assets, seizing their yachts and making it harder for them to send their children to go to colleges and universities in the West," Psaki said in a briefing this week. "These are significant steps that will impact the people who are closely around President Putin."

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Putin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Putin</a>´s Yacht "The Gracefull" inbound Kaliningrad from Hamburg in anticipation of future sanctions due to the conflict in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a>. <a href="https://t.co/qdhAUhCH1m">pic.twitter.com/qdhAUhCH1m</a> &mdash; @GDarkconrad

Symbolic target

The yachts themselves are worth hundreds of millions of dollars, but experts in Russian sanctions say this isn't just about the dollar value.

"They don't have much value compared to the total net worth of an oligarch," said Bill Browder, a long-time advocate for stiff sanctions against Russian oligarchs, in an email to CBC Radio. 

But they are "a highly symbolic attack on something coveted by the oligarchs."

These ultra-luxurious ships became a status symbol for the oligarchs as they amassed fortunes in the 1990s and early 2000s.

"There is a bit of oneupmanship," Tucker told Day 6 . He says the biggest and most expensive ships are cloaked in secrecy. They have extreme privacy and security features, including bulletproof glass, and some require crew to sign non-disclosure agreements.

But Tucker says the biggest security and privacy feature of all is the opaque ownership structure of the yachts. He says precious little information about who actually owns these ships is available.

"[Only] basic information is disclosed — for example, the registered owner — which is often a shell company or a 'special interest vehicle' registered in Monaco, Malta, [or the] Cayman Islands," he said.

Untying those knots is a notorious problem, but one usually confined to taxation issues.

"One thing that I think may come out of this whole situation is the increased call for transparency and transparent ownership," said Tucker.

Yachts on the move

So far, only four super yachts have been seized, including a 213-foot yacht owned by Alexei Mordashov in Imperia, Italy.

While authorities sift through the byzantine paper trail of ownership, other oligarchs have scrambled their crews to get the yachts to somewhere safe.

"One of the things I've been trying to figure out is, where do they go [next]?" asked Alex Finley, a former CIA officer living in Barcelona, in an interview with  As It Happens host Gillian Findlay .

This week, Finley tweeted photos tracking a ship said to be owned by Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire who owns the Chelsea Football Club.

• Anxious Russians flee by the hundreds each day into neighbouring Finland

"A lot of these yachts that we've been looking at are heading towards the Maldives or the Seychelles. A few are in Montenegro, but they look like they're probably going to be on the move," Finley said in the interview .

Here you can see the sterns of both Aurora and Valerie, and in the other pic, the empty slip where Solaris used to be (which is the size of the empty hole in my heart). 7/ <a href="https://t.co/Luvj5vyWXp">pic.twitter.com/Luvj5vyWXp</a> &mdash; @alexzfinley

Neither the Maldives nor the Seychelles signed onto the sanctions, so the ships are probably safe from seizure there. Another major hub is Dubai.

"I think we're going to see Dubai as a big hotspot for these yachts," said Tucker. "It has hot weather all year round and … Russians can fly to Dubai without going through the EU airspace."

Tucker agrees that targeting the yachts is a symbolic move.

"It's really sending the message that they aren't untouchable. We've closed the skies on both sides of the Atlantic so their private jets can't operate, and now we're going after their super yachts," he said.

"I'd be feeling quite vulnerable if I was an oligarch right now."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Senior Business reporter for CBC News. A former host of On the Money and World Report on CBC Radio, Peter Armstrong has been a foreign correspondent and parliamentary reporter for CBC. Subscribe to Peter's newsletter here: cbc.ca/mindyourbusiness Twitter: @armstrongcbc

Interview with Sam Tucker produced by Rachel Levy-Mclaughlin

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