Photo-Story: A new guard of personalities at the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique

Text and photo: Roman Klemm

Try as they might, organizers of the newer F-Liberty ventures in Arabia and the US will never achieve the unique Monaco flair of their dusty location somewhere near Abu Dhabi, Las Vegas or Miami. For that, they simply lack history, dignity and culture. The 2024 Grand Prix de Monaco Historique presented itself in the "best light" of the strengthening Mediterranean sun and even the ruler Albert II. added to the event's increased importance: for the first time he personally presented the cup to the winner of the main race and showed up in the paddock during Friday and Saturday as well. Other personalities also "showed up" - the most daring of them (such as Adrian Newey, Zak Brown or Adrian Fernandez) even actively on the track. Traditionally, the icons Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass were not missing, and Saturday's "Senna-Tribute" provided another influx of former stars. However, this does not change the fact that more and more of the company's former stalwarts are missing. The late Alain de Cadenet and probably for health reasons Francois Mazet with Brian Redman joined those who had to miss the "Historique" for the first time this year. And so it's the turn of the next (God, my!) generation of riders, who embody the past with their visit here for younger fans: Stefan Johansson, Eddie Irvine, Pierluigi Martini, Mauro Baldi, Eric Comas...