There are luxury events, and then there is the Monaco Grand Prix. A spectacle of speed, glamour, and exclusivity, the legendary Formula 1 race through the winding streets of Monte Carlo draws royalty, Hollywood A-listers, fashion elites, and motorsport diehards from every corner of the globe. But to experience the Grand Prix as a VIP guest of Formula 1 itself? That’s rarified air — and this year, GRAZIA USA got the golden ticket.
Working directly with the F1 team, we were granted unprecedented access: from top-tier paddock credentials and pit lane walks to a front-row table at the Paddock Club streaming the race, a high-speed hot lap, and a private event with the F1 CEO aboard the MSC Explora II. It was a whirlwind of adrenaline, champagne, and high-octane luxury — and we’re taking you with us!
Touchdown in Monaco: The Calm Before the Speedstorm
Arriving in Monaco for race weekend is a sensory overload — in the best possible way. From the moment you land at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, the energy shifts. Chauffeured transfers snake along the coast on the Grand Corniche, where the Mediterranean Sea sparkles against cliffs dusted with terracotta villas. Helicopter transfers buzz overhead for the ultra-elite, dropping guests on rooftop helipads or at the Monte Carlo heliport just minutes from the circuit.
Luxury is everywhere: from the Bentleys pulling up to Hotel de Paris, to the overflowing terraces at Café de Paris. It’s not just a race weekend — it’s the Cannes Film Festival, the Oscars, and the Met Gala all rolled into one, but with engines screaming through hairpin turns.
The Paddock Club: Where the Magic Begins
As we entered the fabled Formula 1 Paddock Club, it felt like checking into an ultra-exclusive club — because that’s exactly what it is. With three floors of VIP tables, gourmet dining, full bars, and unbeatable track views, the Paddock Club is the beating heart of hospitality.
Our table on the top floor faced a massive high-def screen mirroring the live feed, while just below us across the road, the pit crews prepped for qualifying rounds. Within arm’s reach were celebrities, team principals, and executives exchanging hellos over Moët & Chandon.
Every hour brought something new — free-flowing champagne, live music sets, an ever-rotating buffet of gourmet meals, including truffle pasta and endless artisan gelato. The attention to detail was astounding, with the staff truly embodying the concept of waiting on guests hand and foot. This experience wasn’t just about watching the race — it was about living every moment in curated, cinematic style.
Pit Lane Walk: Where the Action Lives
During race weekend, we joined the Aramco Pit Lane Walk. For motorsport fans and style insiders alike, this was the holy grail. There’s something surreal about standing just feet away from a Formula 1 car while it’s being fine-tuned by engineering crews. The hum of generators, the hiss of air guns, the laser focus of mechanics — it’s visceral.
Our access to the Oracle Red Bull Racing garage provided a behind-the-scenes look into one of the sport’s most dominant teams. We caught a glimpse of Max Verstappen’s car being calibrated. The smell of burning rubber, the vibration in the air… truly nothing compares.
Trackside Thrills: The Circuit Tour & Hot Lap
Riding in a flatbed truck around the Monaco street circuit during the Track Tour was like stepping into a movie. Every turn — Saint Devote, Mirabeau, Loews Hairpin — has history etched into it. An F1 host narrated the physics behind each curve, how drivers brake late into Tabac or gain milliseconds through the tunnel.
Then came the hot lap. Strapped into the passenger seat of a race car, we rocketed around corners at G-force speeds with a pro driver at the wheel. With the likes of Kendall Jenner and Ed Sheeran — and basically any other household Hollywood name you can think of — having experienced an F1 Hot Lap during past races, this Hot Lap was the ultimate VIP experience, being the very first time it’s been held on the Monaco circuit. My heart was in my throat, adrenaline spiking — yet somehow, I was grinning the whole time. It’s fast. It’s loud. It’s unforgettable.
Photo Safari: Up Close with the Speed
The Photo Safari experience was another level of immersion. This exclusive opportunity took us to a designated point mere inches from the tarmac. The cars scream past so fast, you feel the reverberation in your chest. We caught them mid-practice, tires spinning, sparks flying. It’s one thing to watch F1 on a screen — it’s another to be part of the action, trackside.
Armed with media-grade cameras and positioned with intention, we captured cinematic videos of the cars navigating tight corners, powering into chicanes, and pulling into the pit lane. The thrill never got old, and the experience was the epitome of a true once-in-a-lifetime experience, seeing the iconic Monaco circuit as an F1 insider.
Explora II: The Floating Jewel of the Grand Prix
While Monaco’s streets sizzled with speed, a new icon anchored in Port Hercule: Explora Journeys’ EXPLORA II. Over the race weekend, the luxury ocean vessel transformed into the ultimate floating sanctuary, offering guests VIP access to the circuit alongside curated cultural and lifestyle programming.
Saturday morning, we stepped aboard MSC’s EXPLORA II for a private Formula 1 summit. There, the F1 CEO hosted a closed-door chat about the sport’s future, diversity initiatives, and global expansion. As croissants and coffee made their rounds, industry insiders shared stories, and the top leaders in motorsport answered press questions. It was networking, F1 style. The ship also played host to the Vanity Fair Club, co-hosted by Simone Marchetti and Anna Nash. Notable guests included Prince Alexandre Grimaldi, Princess Alexandra de Hanovre, Flavio Briatore, Renault CEO Luca de Meo, and a cast of A-listers and titans of industry.
The Style Scene: Monaco’s Red Carpet on Asphalt
The fashion at Monaco — a GRAZIA favorite — is as headline-worthy as the race itself. Everyone brings their A-game. Men wore breezy tailored suits and sets in summer-neutral tones, women floated by in an unbeatable mix of two-piece sets, designer dresses, and race-worthy streetwear. Dressing for the Monaco Grand Prix isn’t just about style — it’s a statement.
The dress code across the Paddock Club, rooftop lounges, and luxury yacht parties centers around classy, polished, and photogenic. For women, there’s an unspoken formula: tasteful hemlines, designer fabrics, and a color palette that shines against the Côte d’Azur sun. White is ubiquitous — whether it’s an A-line linen dress, a wide-leg jumpsuit, or a sleek two-piece set. Think structured silhouettes, elegant white dresses, sharp tailoring, and accessories that whisper wealth — not scream it. It’s quiet luxury meets South of France fashion. It’s a weekend where high fashion meets high-octane.
Luxury brands made their presence known, with Chanel, Prada, and Dior bags being as common as paddock passes. Luxury handbags, oversized sunglasses, and barely-there makeup complete the look. Heels are worn, but often swapped for designer flats or strappy wedges, given the long walks between the paddock, yachts, and parties. Formula 1 caps, logo tees, and racing jackets were reimagined into high-fashion moments. Beauty was equally polished — glowy skin, blowouts, and bold lips were the undeclared dress code.
What to Wear to the Monaco Grand Prix: Glamour, Precision, and Polished Luxury
Below are a few of our favorite fashion brands and looks we wore this year that defined our race weekend wardrobe, each offering a distinct take on F1 style — paired back to designer handbags, sunnies, and footwear to create a high-low look for each day and event of the race weekend.
Together, these brands translated the essence of Monaco into wearable moments — from bohemian brunches to high-octane afterparties. No matter your style, the key to race weekend dressing is this: blend glamour with intention. Every outfit is a photo opp, and every photo opp a vibe you create.
A-Listers and Iconic Moments
The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix was more than a race — it was a celebrity-studded cultural moment where fashion, fame, and Formula 1 collided. The paddock and pit lane were packed with global icons, each adding their own flair to the weekend.
Among the most photographed? Naomi Campbell, who stunned in a white, ruched one-shoulder Alaïa dress, bringing a timeless elegance to her trackside appearances. Bridgerton star Simone Ashley leaned into understated chic, arriving in a white tank and ivory mini skirt and matching oversized bomber jacket, that balanced off-duty ease with polished glamour. Dua Lipa opted for casual-cool, wearing a bold yellow cheetah-print crop top, a black bomber jacket, and grey jeans, topped with a celestial manicure that didn’t go unnoticed by beauty editors.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez turned heads at the circuit, with Sánchez donning a daring sheer black dress. Sofía Vergara also made a glamorous entrance at the Ferrari garage, sporting a Retrofête lacy corset paired with relaxed wide-leg jeans. Even soccer royalty joined in: Kylian Mbappé made waves with his appearance in a cream, cut-off sweater tank paired with crisp white trousers, mingling with fellow athletes and soaking up the Grand Prix atmosphere. Patrick Dempsey, ever the motorsport enthusiast, returned to Monaco to wave the checkered flag at the finish line. Fresh off his own racing endeavors and film projects, Dempsey brought his signature charm to the paddock and was spotted engaging with teams and fans alike.
The fashion continued long after the engines stopped. TAG Heuer’s yacht party brought out Monaco’s most stylish guests for an evening of cocktails, luxury activations, a performance by Lola Young, and a surprise DJ set by the one and only Naomi Campbell, supported by Rampa from the sidelines of the DJ booth. From Port Hercule’s yachts to the rooftops of Monte Carlo, the weekend was a seamless fusion of sport, stardom, and style — just as Monaco intended.
Culture, Prestige, and Why Monaco Reigns Supreme
The Monaco Grand Prix is more than a motor race — it’s the cultural centerpiece of the Formula 1 calendar. The event unites the best of sport, fashion, entertainment, and luxury on one iconic street circuit. It’s a place where history meets hype, where the thrill of competition collides with the pageantry of privilege. This year’s race alone drew nearly 2 million U.S. television viewers — a record-breaking statistic that proves Monaco isn’t just for the elite, it’s a global obsession.
Qualifying & Race Day: The Main Event
Saturday’s qualifying session was nothing short of electrifying, as drivers pushed the limits on Monaco’s notoriously tight and technical circuit. Lando Norris delivered a stunning lap for McLaren, securing pole position with a new track record of 1:09.954 — just 0.109 seconds ahead of local favorite Charles Leclerc. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri rounded out the top three, while Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton followed close behind. The competitive intensity and precision on display had spectators on edge throughout the session.
Sunday’s race saw Norris convert his pole into a commanding victory, leading all 78 laps around the unforgiving streets of Monte Carlo. Despite the FIA’s introduction of a mandatory two-stop strategy to encourage more overtaking, the race remained largely processional, typical of Monaco’s layout. Pit strategy and track position proved decisive, with Leclerc and Piastri completing the podium. The win marked a major milestone for Norris, who became the first McLaren driver since 2008 to win in Monaco, further tightening the battle in the 2025 championship standings.
From the top floor of the Paddock Club, we witnessed it all unfold. Gourmet snacks arrived as effortlessly as the champagne. Laughter and cheers erupted with every lead change, pit stop, and corner scrape. Beneath the Riviera sun, the track below us shimmered like a stage, every turn playing out a scene of motorsport mastery. Post-race, we were escorted to the Red Bull Energy Station — a floating fortress of fun moored just beside the paddock. Part club, part luxury lounge, it pulsed with music and celebration.
Louis Vuitton: Victory Travels in Style
The presentation of the Formula 1 trophy in its bespoke Louis Vuitton Trophy Trunk is a work of art in itself. Designed to showcase the sport’s pinnacle of performance, the trunk — handcrafted at Louis Vuitton’s Asnières atelier in France — symbolized the enduring partnership between the luxury house and Formula 1.
This year marked the ninth Trophy Trunk presented by Louis Vuitton in the 2025 season, culminating in its appearance during the national anthem sequence and the final podium moment where McLaren’s Lando Norris raised the trophy in victory. Adorned with a bold red and white “V” across its Monogram canvas — a nod to both “Victory” and “Vuitton” — the trunk was more than an accessory. It was a statement of craftsmanship and culture, bridging the world of heritage fashion with high-speed motorsport. The Louis Vuitton logo was also reimagined across on-track signage, reflecting the dynamism and velocity of F1.
How to Attend the Monaco Grand Prix Like a VIP
Want in on all the action of the elite? Here’s how: Paddock Club packages are the gold standard for attending the Monaco Grand Prix in style. For the 2025 race weekend, official three-day Paddock Club passes ranged from approximately $14,900 to $18,700, offering premium viewing above the track, gourmet cuisine, open bars, pit lane walks, and exclusive insider appearances. For those craving even more exclusivity, the Legend Paddock Club experience — priced around $16,200 — adds guided track tours, meet-and-greets with F1 legends, and elevated hospitality touches.
Another standout option is the Paddock Club Yacht Package, which combines all the traditional perks with VIP access aboard a luxury yacht moored in Port Hercule, available for around $16,850. For those booking through elite concierge services like Velocity Black or The Fixer, bespoke packages can include yacht parties, private transfers, and access to after-dark events. Prices vary based on customization, but every experience promises unmatched proximity to the action — both on and off the track.
One of the weekend’s most exclusive culinary experiences was found at F1 La Terrasse. With panoramic views of the circuit’s most iconic sections, guests dined on a bespoke, daily-changing menu paired with signature cocktails curated by Gordon Ramsay’s team. It was a Michelin-worthy moment set to the soundtrack of V12 engines — and one not to be missed when you attend your next race.
Hotel-wise, book early. Hôtel Hermitage, Hôtel de Paris, and Monte Carlo Bay Hotel fill up fast. Consider flying into Nice and chartering a helicopter transfer for peak drama. And pack with intention — this is not your average vacation.
The Monaco Grand Prix Isn’t Just a Race, It’s a Religion
What makes Monaco unlike any other race is its layers: the history, the glamour, the setting, and the sense that anything can happen. It’s not just about who takes pole — it’s about who you meet, what you wear, how you feel. It’s the speed, the scent of fresh tarmac, the clink of flutes aboard a yacht.
For those lucky enough to experience it through Formula 1’s inner circle, it’s the kind of weekend you replay in your head for months afterward. And if you can’t attend the Monaco Grand Prix yourself, well, that’s what you have GRAZIA for!
And trust us: once you’ve done Monaco like this, there’s no going back.
