The Historic Grand Prix of Monaco exists since 1997. It’s organised 2 weeks before the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco and takes place on the same circuit as the Formula 1 Grand Prix with the charming old cars that propose a moment back in time. Organised every two years by the Automobile Club of Monaco (ACM), it’s a success for the spectators that come more and more each year. More than 180 historic Grand Prix cars gathered in Monaco over the weekend including 19 unique Maseratis, ranging from the 1957 250F to the iconic 300S and the very rare 6CM and V8RI.
If you happened to be relaxing on a yacht in the harbour of Monte-Carlo overnight, you would be woken up by quite possibly the best alarm clock on the planet! Some 300 Grand Prix cars — from pre-War voiturettes to F1 Grand Prix machines from the 1970s — slowly being brought to life.
Tom Hartley Jnr and team headed to the Fairmont Hotel to watch and entertain from their VIP track view suite located above the famous hairpin — the slowest corner on the circuit and the best location one could ask for!
The weekend kick started with practice on the Friday and that evening the Bonhams Auction. It was Hammer time for the most highly anticipated car of the Bonhams sale to cross the block — Ayrton Senna’s 1993 McLaren MP4/8A, in which he claimed his sixth and final Monaco Grand Prix victory. The bidding war that ensued was fraught with tension, with the car eventually going to an in-the-room bidder for 4.198m euros (including premium).
On Saturday afternoon, the fast-paced action on the track was matched in the Grimaldi Forum, as the RM Sotheby’s Monaco sale got underway. While the headline car, the 1957 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ failed to find a new owner, there were some fantastic results! The Pope’s unique Lamborghini Hurácan went for sale and all of the proceeds went to charity, and a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette.
During the two and a half days, competitors from around the world shared their same passion for high level motor racing with thousands of spectators. These monumental cars do not get parked in a closed room. They get involved in endless racing moments, noise and smell included, against their rivals of the old times when they all chased a win through the heart of the Principality of Monaco. The Monaco circuit is such a mythical track where 80% of the straight lines and turns are the same as in 1929, and this same track is still used every year for the glamorous Grand Prix of the Formula 1 World Championship.
It was a weekend of memories, time to catch up with old clients and friends and share our appreciation of this remarkable sport together, roll on 2020…