Chasing Perfection
The Magic And Mayhem Of Monaco.
RACING THROUGH the narrow streets of Monaco in a Formula 1 car is an experience that defies description. Lap after lap, you’re kissing the walls with the tires, teasing the limits of racing lines on what are, in any other context, ordinary streets. It’s one of the ultimate tests in motorsport—a relentless dance of precision, nerve, and instinct. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There are few sensations in life that come close.
Growing up in Australia, the Monaco Grand Prix was the race I’d drag myself out of bed for in the middle of the night. I’d pester my parents relentlessly to let me watch the grid walk and soak in the pre-race buildup. When the lights went out and the action began, I was mesmerized. The world’s best drivers threading the needle through those iconic streets, chasing every last hundredth of a second—it was pure magic. The stopwatch is unforgiving, and Monaco demands absolute concentration. It’s a track that reveals everything about a driver.
Australians have a proud history here. Watching Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo triumph around the Principality gave me plenty to cheer for as a kid glued to the TV screen on the other side of the world. As a racing fan, I was captivated by how fine the margins were—success and failure separated by mere moments. Monaco takes no prisoners; it’s a brutal, beautiful beast of a circuit.
We’re talking millimeters. Millimeters between hero and zero. Millimeters between painting the track purple with sector times or kissing the barriers a little too hard. It’s a razor-thin line between extracting every ounce of performance and overstepping into disaster. As drivers, we’re human—we don’t always get it perfect. That relentless pursuit of flawlessness is what fuels us, but it’s also what can bite us. Racing, especially here, can be a cruel mistress.
Monaco is steeped in legendary moments, both on and off the track. I can still picture Mark Webber backflipping into the Red Bull pool after his win—a moment of pure Aussie exuberance. And then there’s Ayrton Senna’s qualifying lap in 1988, a masterclass I’ve rewatched countless times. It’s arguably his finest hour and one of the greatest laps ever driven around this circuit—a benchmark of brilliance that still echoes through the years.
The Monaco Grand Prix is more than just a race; it’s an event. The stars come out, the luxury yachts line the harbor, and it draws an eclectic crowd from every corner of the globe. Last year, I had the privilege of hosting Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in my driver’s room. He was genuinely shocked by how hectic our pre-race preparations are as drivers. Sharing stories with elite athletes like him—comparing the pressures and passions of our worlds—is something I’ll always cherish.
This year will mark my third Monaco Grand Prix. I’ve raced here in the junior categories, but nothing compares to the main event. The spotlight burns brighter, and there’s nowhere to hide. Every move is magnified, every mistake exposed. 
In 2024, I finished second, just behind local hero Charles Leclerc. Coming so close to victory stung, no doubt about it. But seeing Charles claim that win— especially after years of heartbreak on the streets he grew up on—was special. Watching him share that moment with his family reminded me what this sport can mean beyond the cockpit. Still, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hungry to go one better this time around.
Monaco is a race I always circle on the calendar. It’s an event where I love having friends and family around, soaking in the atmosphere together.
I’m already counting down to the 82nd edition in 2025—the most historic motor race in the world. There’s something timeless about it, a legacy that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
I moved to Monaco last year, and I still catch myself marveling that I get to call this place home. It’s a far cry from those bleary-eyed nights as a kid in Melbourne, waking up at midnight to watch the race halfway across the globe. Now, I’m living in the heart of it. I’m still exploring the Principality, uncovering its hidden corners, but the welcome I’ve received has been incredibly warm. Settling into life as a local has been a joy.
A local stood on the top step of the podium last year, and I’m determined to make it my turn in 2025. Here’s to chasing that dream. Take care, enjoy the racing, and I’ll see you on the streets of Monaco.
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