Celebrities sing the praises of Monaco Grand Prix
As always, the Monte Carlo paddock was packed with familiar faces, and not just from the motorsport world. We caught up with just a handful…
He is one of the fastest men alive, so at some point it was perhaps inevitable that sprinter Michael Johnson would find his way to a Formula One race. And what better place to start than the Monaco Grand Prix: “I am here to checking it out. I’ve always been a great fan of racing and being at this fantastic race I wonder why it took me so long. But it is definitely in my plan to visit a couple of more races this year, I swear.”
Another newcomer was James Blunt. A guest of Red Bull Racing, the silver-tongued singer caused some serious hysteria among the female guests at the Energy Station. “Yep, it’s absolutely my first time at a Formula One race - and my first time in Monaco. David Coulthard brought me over and I’m really thrilled. It is an amazing noise and I had the chance to sneak around the cars - phenomenal! When I look at myself I would say that I have the stature of a driver so it would be great to try it out once for myself. Bernie, do you hear that?”
Actor Josh Hartnett, another Red Bull guest and Grand Prix virgin, slightly misunderstood how Formula One works. At noon he wanted to go to the grid and on being told that the grid opens 30 minutes before the race starts, he demanded: “Can somebody call to start it earlier?”
Ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell was a bit confused by her feelings. “I love Ferrari, but this time I’m in an emotional twist as I think that Jenson (Button) is amazing. It’s his moment right now. Jenson, take full advantage of it!”
Film director George Lucas is an experienced Formula One aficionado, especially since Red Bull’s Star Wars spectacular in Monaco a couple of years back, when the team’s mechanics wore storm trooper outfits. “You all know that I’m a sworn-in fan of F1. You see me in Monaco every year when I’m coming to Europe for the Cannes Film Festival. It is simply a must to hit the road from Cannes to Monaco to see my heroes fight it out.”
For British pop music legend Sir Cliff Richard it was his third time in Monaco. “I’ve never been anywhere else to see a Formula One race. And from what people tell me it’s simply the best, so why should I change my habit? Although lately I’ve heard that the Singapore night race is pretty cool. Maybe I should give it a try this year! Obviously I am hooked by street circuits. I think the sound that these cars make when racing through streets is much more mesmerizing than on a purpose-built track somewhere out in the countryside, so you will always find me in the city!”
