The jet set and elite descended on the lush principality of Monaco this weekend for Formula One’s most glamorous exhibition, marking the 58th annual Monaco Grand Prix, with all-night soirees and titillating photo ops. Prince Albert of Monaco was joined by Sweden’s royal family including the stunning Crown Princess Victoria as well as supermodel Naomi Campbell, as the celebrities revved up the Monte Carlo nightscene.
Sean “Puffy” Combs held court on Saturday night at a birthday party for Slavica, wife of Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone. “My cake!” she exclaimed as staff members rolled out a two-metre confection draped in red roses to mark her 43rd.
Partygoers including designing duo Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce danced on tables aboard American communciations magnate John McCaw’s luxury yacht – fancy a ride in the on-board helicopter, anyone? – while Boris Becker proved the champ, retiring just as the sun came up.
The race itself proved just as exciting as Prince Rainier awarded Michael Schumacher with his fifth Monaco Grand Prix title, firmly planting the Ferrari driver up there with race car giants Alain Prost and Graham Hill.
Insiders believed the 78-lap race would come down to David Coulthard and Schumacher, but after the launch control system in Coulthard’s car failed, an unfortunate repeat of last month’s Barcelona mishap, Schumacher had a decidedly easier turn. He and teammate Rubens Barrichello finished first and second, respectively. Twenty-one-year-old heart-throb Jenson Button finished seventh.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
