The Everyday Drive

MONACO isn’t just a place. It’s an experience. A way of life. For a racing driver like me, who spends most of the year chasing the horizon from one racetrack to the next, this glittering enclave on the French Riviera is not only a home—it’s a strategic advantage, a sanctuary, and a world-class training ground all rolled into one.

I’ve had the privilege of calling Monaco home for 36 years. At 39 years old, as a professional sportscar racing driver for Mercedes-AMG, I’ve had my fair share of highlights—two FIA GT World Cup titles, two wins at the Daytona 24 Hours, a victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, and three GT World Challenge championships. But beyond the racetrack, one question I get asked more than any other when I’m traveling the world is: What’s it like to live in Monaco as a racing driver? And perhaps more pointedly: Why do so many of the world’s top athletes, not just race car drivers, call this place home?

It’s simple, really.

For a racing driver, Monaco is the ultimate “mega”—a mecca of speed, luxury, and history. I grew up here, starting at the age of three, and there’s no denying that this tiny Principality had a profound influence on my decision to pursue motorsport. The Monaco Grand Prix, arguably the most iconic race on the planet, was right at my doorstep. Year after year, I’d watch the Formula 1 cars buzz around the streets of Monte Carlo, up close and personal. The atmosphere was electrifying. It was like living in a dream, only it wasn’t a dream for me—it was inspiration. The drivers, the cars, the hustle and bustle of the entire weekend; all of it ignited a fire inside me to one day race at the highest level.

When you live here, you can’t help but feel connected to the sport in a way that few other places can replicate. The Monaco Grand Prix isn’t just a race on the calendar—it’s an event that runs through the city’s veins. The streets where we drive every day transform into the most legendary circuit in motorsport. The energy around the event, the buzz in the air, the sheer spectacle—it’s not just about watching it; it’s about living it. And that sense of living within motorsport, rather than just being an observer, is something that drives me every day.

But Monaco isn’t just a place of inspiration. It’s a hub for champions. The world's best racing drivers, from every discipline—Formula 1, sportscars, rally, you name it—flock here because it offers something that no other location can: a perfect balance of work and play. It’s a place where the lines between training, living, and socializing blur in the best possible way. The proximity to international airports, most notably Nice, just 25 minutes away, means you can literally be anywhere in the world at a moment's notice. In 2024 alone, I competed in races across 27 weekends globally, and having a home base that allows for easy travel is invaluable.

More than just its strategic location, Monaco offers a quality of life that is unmatched. It’s a place where you can simultaneously recharge and stay sharp. The Mediterranean climate is a natural boon for any athlete. While the weather in other parts of Europe can be unpredictable, here on the Côte d’Azur, we enjoy year-round sunshine and mild temperatures, making it an ideal environment for outdoor training. Most drivers—myself included—are avid cyclists, and Monaco offers a myriad of scenic routes along the coastline and through the surrounding hills. Whether it’s endurance training or a scenic recovery ride, Monaco has it all. The mountains and the sea seem to be made for the kind of cross-training we need as drivers. It’s not just about keeping fit—it’s about getting that perfect mix of strength, endurance, and mental clarity.

And if you’re looking for more traditional gym facilities, there’s no shortage of world-class indoor venues. Monaco offers an abundance of gyms, physical therapy centers, and trainers who specialize in helping high-level athletes maintain peak condition. There’s even a dedicated motorsport fitness community here, where athletes from all over the world share ideas, techniques, and knowledge. It’s the kind of place that keeps you constantly evolving as a driver and an athlete.

But it’s not just about the physical aspect of racing. Monaco plays a crucial role in our mental game too. Being a racing driver means juggling the intense focus needed on track with the stress of constant travel, media commitments, and the pressure of competition. Monaco offers an environment that allows you to minimize those external pressures. The fact that this place is so small, yet so internationally significant, means you get the benefits of privacy, tranquility, and security. There’s a sense of peace that you simply can’t find in other places.

This peace of mind is enhanced by Monaco’s safety and security. As someone who travels nearly constantly for my job, it’s a privilege to know that my family is living in a place where they’re not just safe, but truly secure. Monaco is known for its strict security measures and low crime rate, which provides peace of mind—something that’s crucial for any professional athlete who needs to stay focused on their craft. For me, knowing that my wife and daughter are living in such an environment allows me to travel and perform without worrying about distractions. It’s the kind of stability that translates into better performances on the track. You can’t underestimate how important it is for an athlete to have a home where they feel secure and calm—especially when the rest of the world can sometimes feel chaotic.

Then, of course, there’s the social side of life in Monaco. The media often focuses on the glitz and glamour of the place, and yes, there’s no shortage of luxury cars, superyachts, and five-star restaurants. But what I truly enjoy about Monaco is that there’s a variety that goes beyond the luxury. You can walk down to a cozy Italian café for a quiet meal or head to the Hôtel de Paris for something extravagant. Whether it’s a local bistro or a Michelin-starred restaurant, Monaco has a range of dining experiences that cater to every taste and mood. And beyond the city, you can escape to the surrounding villages in the hills. I love taking my family for weekend trips to places like Eze or Saint-Paul-de-Vence—charming medieval villages that offer a peaceful retreat from the buzz of the city.

But beyond the lifestyle and the charm of Monaco, there’s the financial reality. The career of a professional athlete is fleeting. While most athletes experience a decline in earnings after their prime years, Monaco offers unique advantages that make it financially viable for many to settle here. Monaco’s tax system, which is famously friendly to its residents, allows you to maximize your earnings during your most successful years. But while the financial perks are certainly appealing, they’re not the only reason top athletes call Monaco home. It’s the combination of everything: the lifestyle, the performance benefits, the world-class infrastructure, and the sense of security that makes it an unparalleled place to live and train.

So, why do so many of the world’s best drivers call Monaco home? It’s simple: Monaco is the ultimate base camp for those who compete at the highest levels of sport. It’s the perfect mix of luxury, safety, convenience, and performance optimization. And for someone like me—who has been fortunate enough to live here since childhood—it’s the only place that feels like home, no matter how far I travel.

Monaco isn’t just a destination for racing drivers. It’s a symbol of everything that comes with being at the top of your game. It’s where the world’s best athletes, from every discipline, come to live, train, and thrive. And for that reason, it will always be my home.

By Maro Engel

Contributor

Maro Engel is a German racing driver based in Monaco, a Mercedes-AMG factory driver since 2008. A two-time FIA GT World Cup champion (2015, 2024), Nürburgring 24-hour winner (2016), and two-time Daytona 24-hour victor (2021, 2023), he excels in DTM, GT World Challenge, and IMSA, showcasing precision and global impact.