Floating Palaces of the Paddock: Inside the Outrageous Multi-Million Dollar Superyachts of Formula One’s Elite at the Monaco Grand Prix
When the Formula One circus descends upon the glittering, sun-drenched principality of Monaco, the spectacle extends far beyond the tortuous, barrier-lined streets of the famous circuit. The true display of astronomical wealth and unrestrained luxury bobs gently in the azure waters of Port Hercules and the surrounding Mediterranean bays. For the elite tier of motorsport, a high-performance supercar is simply a practical daily runaround; the ultimate, undeniable status symbol of true paddock royalty is a multi-million dollar superyacht. But exactly which members of the Formula One fraternity are commanding these floating palaces, and what incredible secrets are hidden behind their polished hulls? Let us take a deep, exclusive dive into the staggering maritime extravagance of the grid’s biggest names.
We begin with the ever-suave Mercedes star, George Russell. Last year, the British driver elevated his lifestyle by acquiring a magnificent Pershing 6X. Measuring an impressive sixty-two feet in length, this striking vessel perfectly mirrors Russell’s need for speed. Powered by a pair of monstrous V12 engines, it boasts a blistering top speed of forty-eight knots, equivalent to roughly fifty-five miles per hour. Featuring three luxurious cabins capable of comfortably sleeping six guests, the yacht carries an estimated value well north of three million US dollars. It is the perfect, high-octane escape vehicle for a quick dash across the waves to Cannes or a sun-soaked day trip down to the rugged coast of Corsica. Interestingly, Russell is an official ambassador for the prestigious Pershing brand, meaning the actual price he paid—or if he paid at all—remains a closely guarded paddock secret. Regardless of the finances, it provides him with the ultimate, paparazzi-free sanctuary away from the relentless media glare.
However, if you want to witness a true evolution in maritime opulence, you must look toward the hometown hero, Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari talisman is certainly no stranger to boat ownership, having previously commanded a forty-eight-foot Dolce Riva named ‘Monza’ and an eighty-two-foot Riva Diva. But recently, Leclerc severely upgraded his fleet. In early May, he and his new wife, Alexandra, travelled to the La Spezia shipyard in Italy to take delivery of a breathtaking one-hundred-and-two-foot Riva Corsaro Super. He aptly named the magnificent superyacht ‘Sedici’, the Italian word for sixteen, his permanent racing number.
Unlike his previous vessels, ‘Sedici’ is a colossal undertaking that requires a dedicated, full-time captain and crew to operate. Leclerc has meticulously customised the interior, selecting bespoke furnishings from the renowned Italian design house Minotti and sourcing lavish cushions from the Thai silk specialist Jim Thompson. The crowning jewel of the yacht is the sprawling flybridge, where Leclerc has installed a phenomenally flash, fully-stocked bar complete with an oversized grill and a high-capacity ice maker—an absolute necessity for entertaining the Monaco elite. The vessel effortlessly cruises at twenty-four knots, providing the ultimate luxurious platform for exploring the Mediterranean.
While the drivers enjoy their toys, the veteran of the grid, Fernando Alonso, has taken a surprisingly different, far more tranquil approach to his time on the water. The two-time World Champion commissioned a bespoke, sixty-foot Sunreef Power Eco catamaran in two thousand and twenty-three. Unlike the aggressive, fuel-guzzling yachts of his younger peers, Alonso’s vessel is heavily solar-powered, reflecting his desire for total silence and utter calmness on the sea. He joins an exclusive club of elite sports stars, including Nico Rosberg and Rafael Nadal, who also own similar eco-friendly catamarans. While he currently employs a captain, Alonso has openly expressed a desire to eventually take the helm himself, enjoying a serene, slow-paced retirement cruising the coastline.
Not to be outdone by his rivals, the reigning World Champion, Max Verstappen, commands a vessel that perfectly matches his aggressive, uncompromising driving style. Verstappen owns a spectacular Mangusta GranSport 33, built by Overmarine. Measuring an imposing thirty-three metres—over one hundred feet—the yacht was commissioned in two thousand and twenty-three and appropriately christened ‘Unleash the Lion’. It is a serious piece of maritime engineering, capable of comfortably accommodating twelve VIP guests and requiring a permanent crew of five to maintain its flawless presentation. Moored just down the coast at Cap d’Ail, where securing a berth can easily cost over twelve thousand dollars a month, the yacht provides Verstappen with the speed and luxury required to escape the madness of Monaco and reach the glamorous beaches of Saint-Tropez in roughly an hour.
It is worth noting that for these exceptionally wealthy individuals, the astronomical upkeep of a superyacht can bizarrely be viewed as a semi-practical investment in Monaco. The principality’s real estate market is notoriously the most expensive on the planet, where simply renting a spacious apartment can easily set you back well over fifty thousand euros every single month. In that skewed context, owning a luxury yacht provides comparable living space with the added, priceless benefit of being able to weigh anchor and disappear into the horizon at a moment’s notice.
Yet, if you believe the drivers are the undisputed kings of the harbour, you are sorely mistaken. The yachts owned by the drivers are absolutely dwarfed by the incomprehensible leviathans commanded by the team principals and billionaire owners. Take Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, for example. In two thousand and twenty-three, Wolff acquired a stunning Mangusta 165. Priced at a jaw-dropping twenty-five million US dollars and simply named ‘V’, it is a significantly larger, fifty-metre evolution of Verstappen’s vessel. Capable of hitting twenty-five knots, sleeping twelve guests, and featuring a luxurious jacuzzi prominently positioned on the front deck, it is the ultimate floating boardroom for a man used to operating at the absolute pinnacle of global business.
However, the undisputed emperor of Port Hercules is the Aston Martin team owner, Lawrence Stroll. The Canadian billionaire commands one of the most astonishing, gargantuan yachts you will ever lay eyes upon. His previous vessel, a ninety-six-metre titan named ‘Faith’, was recently sold to the father of former Formula One driver Nicholas Latifi. Stroll’s newest iteration, also named ‘Faith’, carries an estimated, mind-bending value of two hundred and twenty-five million dollars. It is a floating city that requires a massive, highly trained crew and features absurd luxuries, including a dedicated beach club, a private helipad, and a stunning glass-bottom swimming pool. During the race weekend, his son, Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, resides exclusively on this floating palace, casually taking a high-speed tender across the harbour to commute to the paddock each morning.
The logistics of managing these vessels during the Grand Prix week are as complex as running a Formula One team. The demand for mooring space is astronomical. The most highly sought-after trackside berths, stretching from the Nouvelle Chicane down to the Tabac corner, command absolute premium prices. Owners of eighty-nine-metre yachts can expect to pay well over one hundred and fifty thousand euros just for the right to park their boat for seven days. These prime locations are not merely for watching the race; they are transformed into highly exclusive corporate hospitality venues, hosting extravagant, multi-million dollar networking events and legendary, star-studded parties that rage long into the night.
To cater to these incredibly demanding guests, the yachts require an army of temporary staff. In the days leading up to the race, the jetties are swarming with hopeful individuals clutching their resumes, desperately seeking lucrative, short-term employment as deckhands, stewards, or waitstaff. Many superyachts simply leave designated baskets on the dock to collect the sheer volume of applications. It is a frantic, high-pressure environment where presentation and flawless service are expected without question.
Even the drivers who do not personally own a yacht find themselves irresistibly drawn to the water. Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and highly-rated rookie Franco Colapinto will be spending their entire Monaco weekend residing on the ‘Explora I’, an absolutely massive, ultra-luxury cruise ship dominating the harbour skyline. Thanks to a major sponsorship deal between the Alpine team and the ship’s parent company, MSC, the drivers enjoy sprawling suites complete with king-sized beds, private lounges, and balconies overlooking the circuit. The colossal vessel features six high-end restaurants, twelve bars, and a state-of-the-art gymnasium, all conveniently located just an eight-minute walk from the frantic energy of the Formula One paddock.
As the engines roar to life and the cars tear through the narrow, sun-drenched streets, the glittering superyachts of Port Hercules stand as a silent, powerful testament to the unimaginable wealth and glamour that fuels the absolute pinnacle of global motorsport. It is a world where millions of dollars are spent simply to secure the perfect view, and where the ultimate victory is celebrated not just with champagne on the podium, but on the pristine teak decks of a private, floating palace.
