Stars and starlets on the starting grid

Everything has to be in order here, or at least that's the idea of ​​those who painted the meticulous markings on Boulevard Albert 1er at eight-meter intervals. It's the most exciting parking lot in the world, the starting grid for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.

But as the first racing cars roll into place, all composure disappears. Roaring exclamations fly through the air: "Out of the way!" "Make way!" "Get out of here!" At its epicenter, the premier class reveals itself to be a thuggish society.

A good half hour before the race starts, the telegenic madness begins. Everyone who's anyone – and everyone who wants to be anyone – crowds onto the narrow strip of asphalt. They encounter mechanics, engineers, team bosses, and drivers, all working under difficult conditions. They also encounter a slew of camera crews, photographers, and reporters. No other sport allows for such closeness as Formula 1, which, as a combination of sport, business, and glamour, recognized early on the effectiveness of preliminaries and exploits them accordingly.

Adrenaline, sweat, and the smell of gasoline converge on the so-called grid. A seemingly irresistible mix for numerous celebrities. Even members of the international jet set aren't granted easy access. The number of small stickers required in addition to the paddock pass is strictly limited. This experience isn't for sale.

An atmosphere that quickly heats up. The excitement of some at being the center of attention is complemented by the nervousness of those about to enter the battle for the last few seconds. The spectacle before the spectacle has also become an important part of television programming.

British TV reporter Martin Brundle has achieved cult status as a result – partly because he regularly has to talk to celebrities whose identity he doesn't always fully understand. Or when bodyguards like Kylian Mbappé's get in his way. "When I started strolling through the starting grid with a camera in 1997, I was almost the only guest," recalls former racing driver Brundle. "Today, there are around 2,000 people crammed in there."

Like so much in the premier class, it's a matter of give and take. Racing teams and their sponsors, Formula 1 management, and the organizers invite celebrities from sports, entertainment, business, and the nobility to every Grand Prix in order to reap some of their fame and use them as influencers.

Conversely, the invitees hope to reach new audiences through their appearance at the booming Formula 1. In Italy and Spain, footballers and motorcyclists like to come and join the fray. Others, like Orlando Bloom, simply succumb to the allure of the racing world, taking selfies with the high-performance heroes or the cars.

Every two weeks, a unique gathering of the rich and the seemingly rich, the powerful and the powerless emerges. Many of them are repeat offenders, captivated by top-level motor racing. Hollywood star Michael Douglas has become a true aficionado, competing with his colleagues Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves. Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Grant, and Antonio Banderas are also there. Brad Pitt is there professionally, so to speak, as the lead actor in the new Formula 1 film, which will soon have its world premiere.

Briton Gordon Ramsay was promoted to chef de cuisine of Formula 1 after his numerous grid visits. Ski racer Lindsey Vonn regularly follows the pace mania here as well. Genuine friendships develop between some celebrities and drivers. Model Heidi Klum first met and then fell in love with Flavio Briatore in Formula 1, and TV reporter Karen Minier hooked up with Scottish driver David Coulthard.

But the most profitable love story to emerge on the starting grid is that of Slavica Radic. The Croatian was sent by Armani to the Monte Carlo race in 1982, where she was approached by a certain Bernie Ecclestone. The grid girl at the time gave the bigwig a fake phone number, and the two later married, and she reportedly received a billion dollars in the divorce settlement. Unlike in the past, drivers' wives are rare among the cars; they prefer to sit in the garages.

The drivers are generally approachable, but as the start time approaches, they are protected by physiotherapists or, like Lewis Hamilton, by two bodyguards. The athletes' only escape option is a hasty trip to the toilet, helmet visor down, and finally the cockpit.

One thing is often forgotten at this fairground: that it's about 20 men who have to prepare for nerve-wracking wheel-to-wheel duels, potentially risking their lives. It's unimaginable that reporters and onlookers would be heading to the start house for the Lauberhorn downhill or to center court at Wimbledon.

Thanks to the show business contacts of series owner Liberty Media, Monte Carlo is fighting to keep its top spot on the star list. Its proximity to the Cannes Film Festival, which is running concurrently, has always ensured a high concentration of Hollywood stars. But the new races in Miami and Las Vegas are surpassing anything before them with their star density. Music legends like Adele, Jon Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart, and Rihanna, sports stars like Evander Holyfield, the Williams sisters, Shaquille O'Neal, and Usain Bolt, and professional celebrities like Paris Hilton are jostling for the race.

In the race for global popularity, Arab countries are also catching up, flying in celebrities in droves, like Jennifer Lopez, who recently appeared in a pink latex racing suit. Even on this mile of vanity, it's important to stand out at all costs. Unfortunately for singer Kylie Minogue, she wore open-toed sandals in Monte Carlo last year. Since these are not permitted on racetracks, a security guard stopped her. The Australian had to borrow a pair of sneakers from a team that were two sizes too big.

When the VIP attendants brief their guests, the exclamation marks once again dominate: "Don't touch anything! Cars and mechanics always have priority! Don't obstruct cameramen!" But even seasoned actors quickly get caught up in the maelstrom of the crowd surging back and forth between the cars. "Sometimes you feel more like you're at a club than on the racetrack," says Aston Martin engineer Mike Krack.

The chaos is over only ten minutes before the start, when only team members are allowed to stand by the cars, and all mechanics must be gone 15 seconds before the formation lap. Then it's time to race. Finally.

An article from the « NZZ am Sonntag »