Why do so many F1 stars live in Monaco?

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Monaco is considered home for almost half of the 20 drivers on the current F1 grid as well as Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff but there are more reasons than just the huge tax-free benefits that draw them there.

One of the world’s smallest nations, Monaco has a total area of just over two square kilometres – barely bigger than London’s Hyde Park. However, it is jam-packed with buildings and home to a population of almost 40,000, a quarter of which were born there – Charles Leclerc being one of them – and a third being millionaires.

Despite its size, it actually has quite a few different districts, each of which has its unique style. Monte Carlo is the best known, but others include La Moneghetti, Condamine, Fontvieille, Larvotto and Monaco-Ville, and an average property in some of these areas can cost twice the price of those in London’s exclusive Mayfair.

Currently out of 20 F1 drivers, there are nine Monaco residents – Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Nico Hulkenberg, Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Alex Albon and George Russell, who joined them last year. The exact locations of their homes are top secret, but occasionally fans do get a glimpse into their day-to-day lives – such as Lando Norris in his iconic Fiat 500 Jolly or more recently Charles Leclerc walking the streets with his new puppy Leo.

There are also many ex-drivers in residence including Nico Rosberg, who spent most of his childhood there; David Coulthard, who has been a resident since 1995 and used to own the Columbus Hotel until 2020; Jenson Button; Mika Hakkinen; Riccardo Patrese; Stoffel Vandoorne; Daniil Kvyat; Antonio Giovinazzi; and Paul di Resta.

So, what is the appeal of living in Monaco?

Fitness

Many drivers have their own home exercise rooms, but there are enough private gyms around the city to ensure they are not working out alongside another F1 driver. Leclerc, for example, makes daily visits to his local health club.

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-23, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

However, it is the great climate coupled with the superb countryside nearby that takes training up another level, with many drivers regularly cycling or running on the winding paths or roads through the hills or along the coast.

There are plenty of spas for relaxation too, and several drivers follow the practice of cryotherapy, where extreme cold is…