Formula 1 action in playground of rich and famous

WHAT THOUGHTS immediately spring to mind when Monaco is mentioned in conversation? Decadence, opulence, a playground for the rich and famous, not to mention a tax haven and the type of location that most of us can only dream about inhabiting.

And in a sporting context, the glitz and glamour that is part and parcel of everyday life in the principality is brought to our television screens on an annual basis when the Formula 1 racers come to town.

Monaco has been a staple of motorsport’s biggest show since 1955, although the very first grand prix was held there 26 years earlier.

And now the background to the event has been explored in considerable detail by retired journalist Malcolm Folley in his seventh book, and second on motorsport after his much-acclaimed ‘Senna Versus Prost’recalled the fascinating dynamic between two of the sport’s greatest-ever stars in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Folley has also written on tennis, athletics, rugby and horse racing, but his passion for motorsport prompted him to sit down and paint the picture of what he refers to as

‘F1’s Greatest Race’ on the front cover.

However, he is at pains in the introduction to point out that this is not intended as a definitive history of the race, and that becomes clear as some years are not dealt with at all and only merit a mention in the roll of honour at the back of the book.

Instead, he focuses his attention on some of the most memorable races and drivers after taking a guided tour of the track in the company of David

Coulthard who was triumphant there in 2000 and 2002.

What makes Monaco fascinating is that, when the Grand Prix carnival leaves town every year, the course is transformed back into an ordinary thoroughfare used by locals to go about their everyday business.

Its famous tunnel is one of the best-known landmarks in the sport, and the presence of royalty at the event on an annual basis adds another dash of razzmatazz to proceedings.

Everybody loves a tale when an underdog comes to the fore, so one of the most interesting parts of the book concentrates on the Monaco memories of Olivier Panis who caused a sensation when he won the 1996 race.

He competed in Formula 1 for ten years, and that was his one and only success. And to add to the achievement, it hasn’t been won by another Frenchman since.

That was one of the most remarkable afternoons in the history of the event, as only three drivers finished in the extremely wet conditions. It was the last-ever Formula 1 victory for the Ligier team, ensuring that Panis will never forget his stand-out achievement in Monaco.

Prost and Senna won every race between them from 1984 to 1993, with the late Brazilian going on to complete five-in-a-row after a crash in 1988 left him utterly distraught.

In more recent years Michael Schumacher made the venue his own with five successes, while the three-in-a-row by Nico Rosberg from 2013 to 2015 was also significant given that his father, Keke, had triumphed there in 1983.

Obviously a general interest in motorsport is a necessary pre-requisite to read this book. Folley concentrates on the personalities involved rather than the nuts and bolts of the actual races though, making the subject matter more accessible.

ALAN AHERNE

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