Remember the image of Max Verstappen strolling away from the Monaco Grand Prix with a backpack slung over his shoulder after his race ended before it had really begun?
Whilst most Formula 1 drivers would face a journey back to a hotel, airport or motorhome, Verstappen simply walked home. His apartment was only a few hundred metres from the circuit. It was a uniquely Monaco moment, and one that perfectly illustrates the Principality’s extraordinary relationship with elite sport.
Monaco is not the smallest country on Earth, that title belongs to Vatican City, but it is the second-smallest sovereign state, covering just 2.08 square kilometres. Yet despite its tiny footprint and population of fewer than 40,000 people, it may have a stronger claim than any other nation to being the world’s capital of sporting champions.
In Formula 1 alone, as many as 14 or 15 of the current 22 drivers either live in Monaco or spend much of their time there. Residents include Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, George Russell, Oscar Piastri and many others. Some live in Fontvieille, others near Casino Square or in the ultra-exclusive Mareterra district, but all benefit from the same combination of privacy, security, climate and convenience.
Tax is often cited as the obvious reason. Monaco levies no personal income tax on most residents, making it attractive to high earners. Yet ask the drivers themselves and they often point to something else; quality of life. The Principality offers exceptional security, a mild Mediterranean climate, world-class amenities and a location at the heart of Europe. Nice Airport is less than 30 minutes away by helicopter, making travel to races remarkably efficient.
There is also a sense of community. With so many drivers living within a few streets of one another, it is not unusual for rivals to share flights, train together or simply enjoy a coffee without attracting undue attention. In Monaco, seeing a Formula 1 driver on a bicycle is almost routine.
Yet Formula 1 is only part of the story.
Monaco is home to Olympic champions, Grand Slam winners, elite cyclists, sailors, triathletes, swimmers and athletes from virtually every major sport. The Principality also hosts some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, including the Monaco Grand Prix, the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Herculis.
For a nation that can be crossed on foot in under an hour, the concentration of sporting excellence is remarkable. Whether measured by world titles, Olympic medals, Grand Slam trophies or elite athletes per square kilometre, Monaco may well hold an unofficial record of its own: the highest density of champions anywhere on Earth.
Image: Studio GP
