7 replies to this topic

[Pascal]

Having spent most of my youth in the Principality, I can help you with tips if you want to fully enjoy the experience of that wonderful Grand-Prix.

[gerry nassar]

I have heard that the public has access to the paddock and can get quite close to the drivers. Is this true? I tend not to believe this.

[Pascal]

It used to be true until last year. It was possible to go inside the paddock between sessions and watch mechanics perform their tasks. But you had to ignore the considerable crowd... Drivers were a bit more elusive, but you could still have a chance to get close to tomorrow's greats.

Back in 1984, I was working on the Grand-Prix as a first aid worker, but I spent all wednesday afternoon in the paddock looking for drivers I could interview for the High School newspaper I was running. I ended up chatting with De Cesaris and Tambay, and I took great pictures of a young Brasilian most people had never heard of. His name was Senna. In the meantime, Alboreto arriving by boat was met by a mob of Ferrari fans, and ultimately had to choose retreat.

I think it is still possible to go inside the paddock on wednesdays, but nothing happens then anymore. Most teams are sealed off between rows of trucks, and the public cannot see a damn thing. Furthermore, minor teams now work inside a closed structure (where access is denied), the "parking des pêcheurs", to leave more space on the harbour for top teams.

The real fun used to be the saturday night when most teams were working late on the cars, and the mood was electric. Too bad we don't get access to this kind of magic anymore.

[Ira]

I've been attending the Monaco GP for years, and although I agree that access has gotten more difficult, it's still vastly better than anywhere else. You can still get pretty close to the crews working on cars (at least for the bigger teams), and can walk the pits after hours. Besides, you really do see drivers around town, especially on Thursday night at restaurants like Le Texan and Stars & Bars (no Friday qualifying, so everyone's partying) and Friday morning (try the lobby of the Beach Plaza Hotel). If you decide to go and need hotel or restaurant tips, let me know.

[Pascal]

You have a lot more chances to see drivers at Stars'n'Bars during the off season. A few years ago, I bumped into Mika Hakkinen almost every night! He was still single at the time, and it showed...
I also recommend the Diesel store located Rue Grimaldi where David Coulthard, among others, is a regular customer (good opportunity to see his girlfriend too!).

Most of the times, people ignore the presence of drivers in Monaco, and that is one of the many reasons they tend to feel comfortable there. The only exception is the Grand-Prix week when hords of fans would kill just to get a signature on a scrap of paper or whatever other thing at hand. Because of that, most drivers adopt a low profile and avoid places like bars and restaurants...

[Ira]

I'm sure you're correct in noting that the drivers are less likely to hide from view during the off-season, but I only get to Monaco for the race, so I take what I can get. Just made my plane reservations for May, '99, as I've found that although it's easy to get from the US to a European gateway like Paris or London, getting from there to Nice is tough unless you book well in advance. The toughest part, as I'm sure you'll agree, is finding a hotel room that doesn't cost a fortune. I've used the Alexandra for years, and although the price has gone up a bit, it's still a bargain. I'm reluctant to skip a year, since I'd lose my reserved room. This will be my first race attended alone, as my wife and I are in the midst of a divorce, but I'm still looking forward to the trip. If anyone's interested in meeting for a beer during race week, let me know.

[Pascal]

Funny you mention the Alexandra, as I spent my first night in Monaco in that hotel some 20 years ago. I was still a little kid then... But I digress.

I am not sure my job will allow me to be in the Principality this year, but if it does I'll be happy to offer you a beer at Flashman's . It's too bad the Chatham, a.k.a. Rosie's Bar, has gone out of business, as it used to be the waterhole of F1 fans from all over the world...

[Ira]

I too regret the passing of Rosie's, but such is progress (?), eh? A beer at Flashman's would be great if you manage to make it to town. I'll be at the Alexandra from the afternoon of May 12, and you can reach me in the interim at: ischwartz@mdbusiness.state.md.us
Take care.