There is perhaps no event on the sporting calendar that brings out the stars quite like the Monaco Grand Prix. Each year, the glittering streets of Monte Carlo transform into a high-risk, high-reward racetrack where the world’s best Formula One drivers compete amid the uncertainty of the narrowly walled street circuit. And this year, the race was won by one of Monaco’s own for the first time in nearly a century.
Throughout his fledgling career, Monegasque star Charles Leclerc has been plagued by the “Monaco Curse.” The curse started back in his days in F2, when he had to retire from the lead of the race, and it has followed him into the world of F1. Poor strategic decisions from his Ferrari team have twice cost Leclerc a potential victory, while a gearbox failure also prevented him from starting the 2021 race even though he qualified on pole. This year he qualified on pole once more and wouldn’t let any curse stop him from walking away victorious at the fourth time of asking.
After a chaotic start that resulted in a red flag, the 26-year-old settled into his groove from the restart, leading every lap and ultimately walking away victorious. The victory was an emotional one, with Leclerc paying homage to his late father during the post-race interviews and now, he will be hoping that his title charge is reinvigorated. Online odds and offers comparison site Oddschecker currently makes reigning champion Max Verstappen the short-priced -850 favorite for a fourth straight tile this year. You can click over here for more F1 odds and offers, including a bonus of up to $250 with Betfair.
But Leclerc wasn’t the only star on display in the iconic city-state. Indeed there were plenty of A-Listers. Here are the two biggest names to show their faces at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Kylian Mbappé
Paris Saint-Germain’s star player, Kylian Mbappé, took a break from his rigorous football schedule to enjoy the thrills of Formula One. The French hitman will be preparing for this summer’s upcoming UEFA European Championships, a tournament that his beloved Les Bleus is a favorite to win. But that didn’t stop him from heading to the streets of Monte Carlo to soak up the atmosphere.
In a hilarious pre-race segment, Mbappe was seen walking down the grid alongside his security team. Sky Sports F1 presenter Martin Brundle attempted to get an interview with the French national team captain, only for security to usher him away. Brundle said live on TV, “I’m in charge here”, in a moment that had us all crying with laughter. But unfortunately for him – and the viewers – Mbappe kept wandering down the grid without uttering a word.
The 25-year-old will be leaving the French capital this summer at the expiry of his contract, with Real Madrid rumored to be his new home. The pair have flirted with the idea of a huge move for the better part of three years now, and it seems that it will finally come to fruition in the coming months. At the culmination of the Grand Prix, Mbappe brought the curtain down on the race just as he has his career in Paris, after being chosen to be the one to fly the checkered flag at the finish line.
Ed Sheeran
Adding a touch of musical charm to the event was Grammy-winning artist Ed Sheeran. Known for his soulful voice and captivating lyrics, the Englishman brought his laid-back vibe to the bustling Grand Prix environment. Clad in casual attire, he appeared relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed the race from one of the private terraces overlooking the track.
Sheeran’s presence highlighted the universal appeal of the race, attracting not just sports fans but also those from the entertainment industry. Before the action got underway, he was seen chatting in Italian with the eventual winner Leclerc in Ferrari’s garage. Maybe the chat was enough to dispose of the Mongascque driver’s Bad Habits around his home circuit
