Monaco Historique Grand Prix

As I recall the magical memories of my weekend here in Monaco for the Monaco Historique Grand Prix, I can hear in the Principality the modern day Formula 1 cars practicing, the cauldron of sound created by the mountains surrounding Monaco makes a perfect amplifier for the most iconic setting for motor racing, and contrary to rumours that Monaco’s time is running out as an F1 venue, I can confirm that unless you have witnessed the magic of Monaco, then don’t believe the stories!

The Monaco Historique Grand Prix is typically held every two years and brings together some of the most iconic and valuable classic racing cars in the world. The 13th Edition of ‘Grand Prix de Monaco Historique’ this time focussed on Formula One single-seaters which generated the most legendary memories of this mythical venue, in keeping with the guidelines set by the Organizing and Selection Committee of Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM).

Image: Paul Oatway

Around 200 cars fought in 8 series and races set on this authentic stage, the famous circuit of the Principality.

There are two main areas, the Paddock area and the pits, which is a hot bed of noise and history, with mechanics making last minute adjustments or major repairs following crashes, some bringing a tear to the eye! A Veuve Clicquot champagne Airstream caravan set the scene nicely, with the famous Stars and Bars doubling up as the temporary drivers club. If you are lucky enough to have access to the pits, you are up close and personal with the cars and the drivers and it’s an incredible feeling!

But even more incredible is being able to see just how basic the cars are underneath the glossy paintwork, with simple pushrods and mechanicals and how little protection there was for the brave drivers, which brings home the staggering fatality statistics from that era of racing when we lost some of the worlds most iconic drivers.

This 13th edition was marked by the first outing, at GP de Monaco Historique, of a more recent generation of Formula 1 single-seaters (Race G) which, between 1981 and 1985, were powered by the very last versions of the iconic Ford Cosworth DFV V8 engine, produced in 1967.

In the history books, Italia’s Michele Alboreto, in a Tyrrell 011, won the last two Grands Prix, in 1982 and 1983, of a long series for Cosworth, the robust English engine faced with the growing challenge of turbo engines, an era started by Renault in 1977.

Image: Paul Oatway

This 1981-85 period was also when Alain Prost won the first two of his four Monaco wins, and the first of his four world titles. And it was also the moment when a young Brazilian by the name of Ayrton Senna burst on the Formula 1 scene, especially in 1984, driving a Toleman in the rain. This race made him famous almost instantly and opened the doors of the Lotus-Renault Team to him, leading to his first two F1 wins in 1985.

In addition to the presence of 14 Formula 1 single-seaters having won at least one World Championship Grand Prix, and 120 other F1 cars (including 90 powered by a 3-liter engine between 1966 and 1985), this 2022 edition was a great opportunity to celebrate two anniversaries.

The 40th anniversary of the death of Colin Chapman, the amazing founder and manager of Lotus, will be the first occasion to celebrate at the 13th edition of Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, with over 35 Lotus cars despatched in seventh out of eight racing series, 2022 also marks the 70th anniversary of the one and only Grand Prix Automobile de Monaco.

Image: Paul Oatway

In addition to the smell and noise of these beautiful cars, on a track which was set up in the heart of the Principality of Monaco in 1929, and of which 80% remains the same, there are the glamorous parties and events that surround the weekend, where introductions are made, deals are done and Champagne sipped and where some of the worlds biggest collectors converge on the car auctions by Sotheby’s and Bonhams.

This year at Sotheby’s, world champion Nigel Mansell sold some of his collection, including his beloved 1991 Williams FW14 which made €3,600,000 and 1989 Ferrari 640 making €3,200,00.

So I would encourage anyone to visit the Monaco Historique Grand Prix, it’s pure nostalgia which must be kept alive, where you remember the colossal time and money and sacrifice from all those years ago, which set the scene and produced the modern day Formula One we all know and love.