Latest news with #AlbertII
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
How a royal dinner set up a 'restorative' Monaco win for Lando Norris as he bids to catch Oscar Piastri atop the F1 leaderboard
It's crunch time for Lando Norris. Just as it was after his fine win in Australia eight races ago, when we waited to see if he had turned a psychological corner. But then he went: second, second, third, fourth, second, second. Not winning in those six races cost the Bristolian the world championship lead to his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri. Consequently, he doubted himself. Then came his restorative win in Monaco last weekend, his calm execution in an uneventful race converting his exemplary qualifying lap. A weight was lifted from his shoulders before his trip to the Grimaldi Palace for dinner with Albert II and the great and good of his Principality. The roof was opened to reveal fireworks crackling in his honour. So was that a reliable turning point, the latest moment that armed him with conviction enough to get the better of Piastri and his nemesis of last year, the drone-proofed Max Verstapppen? Norris was coy and crossed his arms as he answered that poser in the McLaren motorhome ahead of Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, where he will start three points adrift of Piastri and 22 ahead of Verstappen. 'It's a lift…' he said of the Monaco win, a little warily. 'I wouldn't say any one race really lifts me or puts me down. It's more a combination of results which influences things. 'I'm not suddenly feeling on top of the world because I did one great quali and one good race. 'I win a race, and then on the Monday I'm at home eating Kinder bars and having Capri Sun, back to normal.' Not all is as usual in Barcelona. A technical directive, introduced here, is curbing the extent to which front wings can flex. The ruling may conceivably narrow McLaren's advantage over the rest of the field. Norris has downplayed that possibility. Evidence of testing supported his assertion. He was fastest in the first session and Piastri in the second. Both were conducted in serious heat – 45 degree track temperature – suited to the papaya cars. Over the course of the day, Mercedes' George Russell was second quickest, Verstappen third and Norris fourth. All the questions over mental fortitude, or possible lack of it, seem to be aimed at Norris. His self-expressed doubts over the past nine months have invited such concerns. But what about the vulnerabilities of Piastri and Verstappen, he was asked? And what strengths does he have over them? He did not like to enumerate any chinks he may have spotted – though he hinted has he spotted areas ripe to be exploited. 'I hate talking about other drivers,' he said. 'Max is one of the greatest ever and I am happy saying that. 'At the top level of sport, I wouldn't say someone has a weakness, just a slightly weaker area compared to someone else that is incredible.' And does Max possess a flaw? 'Maybe,' he said. Piastri, at 24 a year younger than Norris, is seen as calmness personified at the wheel, though the Australian could not find his rhythm in Monaco. Norris was smooth and reliable throughout. As for what goes on between their ears, Piastri said: 'Lando knows himself much better than I do, but speaking for me, being mentally resilient is certainly a strength of mine. 'There is a lot of work that goes into that. It doesn't happen by magic. What you see is what you get with me. But I still feel emotions, right. 'I am not immune to that. But it is about how you channel that and get in the right state. 'As a driver, you have to believe that you are the best. You have to go into every race thinking that. 'And that has to be the mindset when you fight for the world championship, too. 'Would I be disappointed if I didn't win the title? Yes. It would hurt. 'But I am still young and I hope I get this opportunity more than once.' The McLaren boys may get another crack at the title but there are no guarantees of that, which is why every race is a test of their mettle. How Norris, in particular, reacts is the recurrent question.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Superyachts, Superstars, And Supercars Shine At The Monaco Grand Prix
Watching Lando Norris win the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix from the top deck of a superyacht is the ... More ultimate flex Watching the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix from the top deck of a superyacht just hits different. Like way different. First off, being on the top deck of a superyacht is always, um, pretty great. A chef usually prepares trays hors d'oeuvres, and there's always a nice crew member to make sure you have enough ice in your drink. But, when your superyacht is mere feet from the Monaco streets that legends of Formula 1 have raced on since 1929, even the most jaded luxury traveler can get a bit giddy. Monaco's balconies become prized places to watch the Monaco Grand Prix in May And since the cars literally race around the harbor, and the city rises up from the harbor to form an amphitheater that's dotted with countless balconies filled with race fans, watching the race from a yacht puts you right in the center of the action. The parties never stop at the Monaco Grand Prix Now, for those of you that don't know, each Formula 1 Grand Prix is comprised of way more than just one race. There are practice days. And a day to qualify—that determines where the cars start on race day. There are days where sponsors get to take their VIP's out on the track for 'hot laps' in various high-performance sports cars. And all sorts of other race cars (Formula 2, Formula 3, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup) that practice and race in the days leading up to race day Sunday too. MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 24: Albert II, Prince of Monaco with Christian Horner, Team Principal of ... More Oracle Red Bull Racing, Frederic Arnault, CEO of LVMH Watches and Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH in the Pitlane during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 24, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco (Photo by) So, what do you think happens onboard all of the yachts in the harbor once the all the cars stop racing around the track each day leading up to the main event? Parties. Lots and lots of parties. In fact, few events bring more of the world's largest and most recognizable superyachts together in one place than the Monaco Grand Prix. The large parties on many of the trackside yachts often go all day (and night) long. While the larger yachts that are anchored offshore shuttle their VIP's in and out to various events. Patrick Dempsey (aka McDreamy) outside the Oracle Red Bull Racing garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix ... More of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 25, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by) But that's just the yacht scene. Some lucky yacht guests and other VIPs get invited into pit lane. And that's on a whole other level of exclusivity. First off, not only are the mind-boggling, multi-million-dollar race cars are all right there—close enough to touch behind flimsy fabric barriers like you see in the customs line at the airport. The good-looking, multi-million-dollar race car drivers are all right there—close enough to touch—too. Of course, touching the cars or the drivers is strictly forbidden. But, you get the point. Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Scuderia Ferrari greets his fans before the third practice session ... More ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, on May 24, 2025. (Photo by Nicola Ciancaglini Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Then there are the celebrities. Like lots of celebrities. And the cool thing is they all seem to be as impressed by the cars and the drivers as mere mortal fans would be so close to Charles Leclerc's Ferrari Formula 1 race car, four-time world champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull car, and the 18 others on the grid. MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 25: (L-R) Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos attend the F1 Grand Prix Of Monaco ... More on May 25, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/WireImage) This is probably partly due to the raw nature of pit lane. It's not the red carpet or like any other 'normal' VIP area. It's loud. It's hot. It can be crowded and even a bit chaotic. And the truth is, on race day, the celebrities are just like everybody else—fans. MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 25: Kylian Mbappé attends the F1 Grand Prix Of Monaco on May 25, 2025 in ... More Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/FilmMagic) Of course, each team also has numerous hospitality areas for VIPs as well. Like the Red Bull Energy Station where the RB17 hypercar was on display. I'm told it was designed F1 legendary engineer Adrian Newey and Red Bull Advanced Technologies to be unlike any other hypercar on the track. The RB17 hypercar on display at the Red Bull Energy lounge at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix It features a two-seater carbon fiber monocoque chassis with a semi-stressed mid mounted naturally aspirated V10 engine that red lines at 15,000 rpm. And power is transferred to the rear wheels via a carbon fiber gearbox. And since it weighs under 2,000 pounds, and has more than 1,200 HP, the RB17 is touted to be able to deliver F1-equivalent lap times and top speeds over 217 MPH, while remaining easy to own and operate. The RB17 is a hypercar unlike any other Oh yeah, it looks very, very fast. And don't you think the RB17 would look extremely cool on the foredeck of a superyacht at next year's Monaco Grand Prix? Yes, I do too. Stay tuned.
