The Monaco Grand Prix is not only the most famous race on the Formula 1 calendar, but it is also one of the biggest social events in the celebrity world. It’s where the action and excitement of the sport meets the rich and famous for one incredible weekend.
Unsurprisingly, a number of the biggest players in Formula 1 have been present in the principality this weekend. Bernie Ecclestone recovered from a cold that saw his trial in Germany get postponed to mingle with the stars, whilst former team principal Flavio Briatore was also out and about. Many have enjoyed parties held by Force India and Red Bull, and the Amber Lounge fashion show on Friday night was a great success.
Recording artist Justin Bieber has also been in Monaco this weekend for the race. He even snapped one of the most unlikely selfies ever alongside Bernie Ecclestone, but, according to one report, was refused a meeting with Fernando Alonso after the Spaniard said that he was too busy. English pop singer Pixie Lott has been a guest of Caterham, and performed at the fashion show on Friday night.
But first, let me take a sel- wait what? #F1onNBC pic.twitter.com/3Bu4iOXkov
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) May 24, 2014
On Thursday, the annual amfAR charity dinner took place in Cannes, coinciding with the film festival. It is expected that a number of the stars there will come over the Monaco on race day to enjoy the grand prix. Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson has also made his annual pilgrimage to Monaco, snapping some of the “floating caravans” in the harbor. Never one to shy away from a debate, he also had a very brief say on Nico Rosberg’s ‘mistake’ in Q3, siding with the German.
I was there. Nico did an accident.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) May 24, 2014
Film star Benedict Cumberbatch made another appearance in the F1 paddock this weekend, having appeared in Malaysia and even conducted the podium interviews. Quite whether he’ll reprise this role for Monaco remains to be seen, but he is quickly becoming a regular in the paddock. Fellow Star Trek star Sir Patrick Stewart is a guest of Mercedes this weekend, and he is planning to take part in a charity karting race ahead of the British Grand Prix.
A raft of big names will undoubtedly turn up on the grid today, but no matter how famous they are, nothing will detract from the thrilling race that is in store in Monaco.
You can watch the Monaco Grand Prix live on NBC from 7:30am ET. F1 Countdown starts at 7am on NBCSN.