Opinion: park your prejudice about Monaco, the Grand Prix is a must attend event

The Monaco GP should be on everyone's bucket list, and before you reject the suggestion based on the perceived price, know that it is easily achievable on a budget, and no less thrilling. On one of my favourite ever race weekends back in 2010 I stayed in a hotel where the ‘en suite’ was a hose pipe on the outside wall.

“It’s not a race, it’s a procession!” I hear you scream. Granted, overtakes are few and far between, so the key to loving Monaco is accepting that it’s the Saturday not the Sunday that’s the star attraction. Qualifying on the streets of Monte Carlo is arguably the most compelling sporting competition in the world. It’s a heart in mouth minute and 10 seconds for the world’s finest drivers to thread the eye of a needle at 190mph, through the narrowest, most unforgiving of circuits, where the smallest of mistakes can have catastrophic consequences.

Space doesn’t exist in Monaco, but egregious opulence does. The 10-minute walk from our office to the pitlane (should take two) skirts along the side of the harbour. There is no fence, but there are lots of people. It’s glorious chaos. How more haven’t ended up in the water, I don’t know. Walking down the pitlane, you can feel the presence of legends like Graham Hill, Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna who inked their names in F1 folklore on these very streets. The race’s heritage adds weight that the newer circuits just can’t replicate.

I’ve learned the key is to never take things too seriously. There’s always a bigger boat, and always a more outrageous party. And never burn the candle at both ends, although the temptation to do so is strong. I learnt the hard way in 2012. My voice was the victim on race day... not ideal when you are meant to be broadcasting to the world. Another tip: always get a pedicure and never waste your money on expensive shoes. This is because everything happens on yachts, and the minute you step onboard you have to leave your footwear in a bag at the stern.

The track parade before the race is as surreal as it is electrifying. People hang over the balconies just metres from where the cars will race, banging saucepans (well, champagne ice buckets), clapping hands and chanting the home hero Charles Leclerc’s name. In 2017, Max Verstappen was my first interviewee on the open top truck. Before our mics went live, he said sorry about last night. I had no idea what he was referring to (I was in bed by 10pm, having learnt my lesson in 2012). He said “Oh you didn’t see? My dad and your husband had a bet and both jumped into the Red Bull pool in just their pants.” It had trended on social media. Thankfully no one recognised my husband (apart from Max).

Monaco is more than just a race. It’s a celebration of speed, skill and style. It’s as old as your grandmother’s antique china set, and just as precious. It’s been around since 1929 and remains the iconic stage where history is made, legends are born, and dreams are realised. Monaco is unique and should be treasured accordingly; it deserves its place on an increasingly culturally diverse calendar – now and forever. Let’s face it, without the Monaco Grand Prix, Formula One would be like a martini without a lychee – sure it gets the job done, but where’s the flair?