Grand Prix Historique Monaco 2016: F1 Heritage In The Principality

17 June 2016 Redazione Events, Lifestyle, Vintage

The Monaco Historic G.P. of Monaco is not an event like the others. In addition to the quality of cars taking part in it, ranging from Formula 1 between 1961 and 1976, pre-1961 F1 and F2, Formula Junior, pre-War race cars and the most representative sports cars in automotive history, we’re talking about the atmosphere that you breathe, which it is magical. First I should do a little intro: the person you’re reading grew up as a huge F1 fan, especially the period between ’70 and ’73, the little boy who dreamed to see live his hero Jackie Stewart, but for a reason or another it never happened. I remember perfectly that I was able to draw a Tyrrell, and all the cars with those special lines, in all the different versions of that golden age. And what about the shape and the livery of that iconic Lotus, I have always judged to be the most fascinating of them all. But back to today, we arrived on Saturday morning very early: as entered the paddock, I find a row of Formula One, all ready to go out. Only a few employee and some mechanics around, but fortunately there were still very few people, greedy opportunity to make clean picture. At that precise moment I walked in a strange atmosphere, almost enveloped in a surreal silence, and I had the feeling of being back in time. In front of me,  in order: the Tyrrell (’71) of the great Jackie, also remembering Francois Cevert, Emerson’s Lotus JPS, the Yardley BRM of Ghetin, Rodriguez, Ganley and Siffert; then the revolutionary Eifelland of Stommelen, Peterson’s March, the Brabham, but again other Lotuses, one of the magical Jim Clark, or the Gold Leaf red-gold driven by Graham Hill, and not forget the McLarens, both in the orange livery, and the Yardley raced by Hulme, then the Matra Simca of which I had always heard ‘bout its particular sound and finally today I have the chance to hear it in first person, the Shadow, the Surtees, I almost forgot the Ferraris, denied their appeal, even for those who were not Ferrari fan back in the days. And then the 50s Maseratis, and so on.
I was almost dizzy but with an enthusiasm that took away the years, jumping from one to another effortlessly, with again in my mind the photos and posters of “AutoSprint” hanging in the room, around there, time was stopped at that precise era, reading the names of those great drivers on the sides of the cars, many of them now disappeared, matching every car to their famous helmets, I have not forgotten any of them, it almost felt like having to see they arrive at any moment to start the engines, everything was so exciting. Another nice aspect was also to witness all the mechanics with those logos, those brands that now unfortunately disappeared, only some modern helmets clashed, especially next to a car from the 60s; then having to take advantage of the reserved media areas, we kept shooting the other categories and also here surprises were not lacking. In addition to ready-made cars, many were partially or even totally dismantled, while their mechanics were working on it. Needless to make a list of brand names and models, too many and all of importance but also the rarity was really outstanding and thinkomg to see them lap fast on the track adds ever more excitement – these pilots, in a bunch of minutes, are going to race between the rails of Monaco with machines that worth fortunes! Meanwhile, Formula 1 from ’66 to ’72 are about to make their entrance into the circuit and we position ourselves at La Rascasse corner: the noise is fulfilling, the noise of every single car is music, I think of that hubbub were 26 of them were at the start of a GP. Even if they are mixed in years and then we find three different Lotus racing together, or two McLaren with different colors, it is a pleasure to see these cars blasting through the Principality and with those immense rear tires. Drivers are really good and they also give battle on track, among them there is the son of Jean Pierre Beltoise driving right with the Matra Simca of his father. Then I move into the box area, where coming back at the end of the session, I was able to shoot the other cars and I find others that previously I had not photographed, among are the most recent: the Hesketh of James Hunt, the first Williams, the Ferraris of Lauda, the ​​Ferrari B3 (also known as “snow plow”) and many others. Inside the pits, many are still disassembled with the technicians are working. You also meet familiar faces, many who I can’t name, but also prominent personalities including Engineer Mauro Forghieri, Emanuele Pirro and René Arnoux.

Later it’s the time for the Formula Junior ranging from 1958-60 and here it seems a real race for the Championship, these cars seem small, but they run very well and the older they are, the most we appreciate them, like the crazy sound of those Bugattis, which with those wheels almost seem bicycles, while having amazing performance. Spectators are amazed to see some rare pieces, darting fearlessly.
I look forward to another group of cars and I have already spotted my favorite, a Jaguar C-Type. Very interesting to appreciate their behavior on track and one of the drivers of one of these, looks like the most daring of ‘em all, what a maniac. Even the precious Ferraris I admit, they sing gorgeous, as well as the numerous Brits: Allard, Aston Martin, Cooper, MG, Frazer Nash, Lister and then a mammoth Mercedes.

After each session, mechanics at work, everything is removed, everything comeback. Talkin’ of big cars, in the last box I could dwell at admiring two veterans Bentleys of rare beauty. In the afternoon the sky became grayer and also dropped a drizzle which made the track very trickier, but don’t think that the show has changed. No, these pilots, still kept to drive fast, even at the cost of some expensive crash. Sound of natural engines, smell of rubber, oil, petrol, everything is phenomenally “real”. A dip in time and you know when I realized that I’m no longer 13? When later in the evening, returning to the car park where we left our car, we started to climb up those endless stairs, leading to the Jardin Exotique parking, other stairs, climbing stairs and again some other stairs, and that is when all the years have all come back to me, but it was worth it. An event that everyone should attend and that I strongly recommend to young people, who may not love classic cars, here they might change their mind, indeed, it is quite certain. Special thanks to the Automobile Club of Monaco for such a perfect organization.

Words by Roberto Marrone

Photo credits: Ilario Villani