The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes garage in action prior to the Monaco Grand Prix 2011

As the F1 season fired up again last weekend in Spa, it brought back fond memories of the Monaco Grand Prix in May.

There is something beyond the glitz and glamour of the destination that makes Monaco a very special place to host a Grand Prix. Whether it’s the first visit or an annual event, its a different experience for everyone, yet holds the same sort of excitement.

So we started doing some research and its not just us that feels like this… below are the thoughts and reflections of some of our clients and those involved in the sport a little more closely. We were indebted to McLaren for inviting us for a garage tour during the weekend which gave our clients some fabulous insight into how the teams set up on practice and race days.

From an ITC client: “Watching F1 on TV is one thing but to experience it, does not compare, not even close. To see it, smell it, hear it, feel it up close is phenomenal! The F1 GP in Monaco oozes pure class - one would expect it to but again, unless you actually do it in the flesh, you absolutely can not know. It is an experience second to none. The loud sounds from the engines and sheer vibration through your entire body as the cars sped (blink and you'll miss it!) past us on the track, mixed with the smells of fuel/rubber/braking all adds to the thrilling experience. The sound was deafening even through my earplugs and I absolutely loved it! The fact that we stayed in Nice and already got a taste of the atmosphere when we boarded the trains Monaco bound with all the other excited and enthusiastic F1 GP-goers added to the vibe. Tremendous! The visit to the McLaren Mercedes garage and pit lane walk are what really did it for me. To be fortunate enough to experience THAT was the highlight of the trip, as if being in Monaco at the F1 GP wasn't enough! There again, witnessing the teams practicing pit stops was fascinating (even for a girl like me) and actually seeing the garages from the inside, mechanics piecing together the cars was terrific.

From Jenson Button: ““I won at Monaco in 2010 – it was one of the highlights of my season, and also of my entire racing career. It’s a race that you grow up watching; you know the circuit, every corner, by heart before you’ve ever driven there, so it’s an extremely special place. It’s a race every young driver dreams of winning. Even though I’ve been racing there for many years, the sensation of speed you experience when you first drive a Formula 1 car out of the pits and up the hill is something that you can never fully anticipate. The acceleration is incredible, and the walls are so, so close. “To get the best out of the weekend, you’ve really got to build your speed up gradually – there are no benefits from attacking from lap one and risking a mistake. The track rubbers in incredibly quickly over the weekend, and it’s all about letting the car naturally find more speed through the corners as the conditions improve and your confidence increases. I love the place, and I’m really looking forward to getting back there.

From Lewis Hamilton: “I love the Monaco circuit – it’s the greatest track in Formula 1. And my victory there in 2008 is still probably my best win in Formula 1, and one of the greatest moments in my career. It was an incredible day. I think that Monaco is a place where the input of the driver is more important than at any other track.”

From Martin Whitmarsh, Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: “You don’t need me to tell you that our record around Monte-Carlo has been exemplary – McLaren has won the race 15 times, including a six-year lock-out between 1988 and 1993. It’s a race where we love to compete and where we have produced some fantastic performances over the years. I know full well that the team always seems to produce something special for the race, and, in Jenson and Lewis, we not only have two street circuit specialists, but also the last two Monaco Grand Prix winners, which is a very significant string to our bow.

From a 'Red Eye Events' client: I have attended many corporate sporting events over the years, but I have never experienced anything quite like the Monaco GP, the atmosphere was electric 24 hours a day and throwing the Red Eye super yacht in the mix, made it one of the best weekends spectating sport I have ever experienced! Please thank all the Red Eye staff for an amazing weekend and I wish you all every success for a deservadly bright future.

Enough said! See you there in 2012…

David Atkin – Director of Sports
Published: 31 August 2011