The Prince of Monte Carlo: Charles Leclerc’s Homecoming
There are few places on earth where the line between royalty and racing blurs as seductively as it does in Monaco. This weekend, as the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix descends upon the glittering streets of Monte Carlo, all eyes are on Charles Leclerc—the principality’s prodigal son, Ferrari’s golden boy, and, for many, the unofficial prince of the grid.
Leclerc’s story is the stuff of Riviera legend. Born and raised in Monaco, he grew up watching the Grand Prix from his family’s balcony, dreaming of one day conquering the same streets. In 2024, he finally shattered the so-called “Monaco curse,” becoming the first Monegasque to win at home since Louis Chiron in 1931. The victory was more than a sporting triumph; it was a coronation, witnessed by the world’s elite and Monaco’s own royal family.
Charles Leclerc, radio message after winning the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix:
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Read the full race recap here.
A Royal Affair: Monaco’s Crown and Ferrari’s Jewel
Monaco is not just a race; it’s a royal pageant. The Grimaldi family presides over the podium, and the city’s social calendar revolves around the Grand Prix. For Leclerc, the connection to royalty is both literal and symbolic. He is a frequent guest at palace events, and his friendship with Prince Albert II is well-documented. This year, the synergy between Leclerc and Monaco’s royal heritage is more pronounced than ever.
Ferrari, never one to miss a branding opportunity, has leaned into this narrative with a sartorial flourish. For the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, Leclerc will don a bespoke white-and-blue race suit—a collaboration between Ferrari and Puma—echoing the colors of Monaco’s flag. The suit, unveiled on Ferrari’s social channels, is a masterclass in understated elegance, with subtle blue accents and a commemorative cap nodding to Leclerc’s 2024 victory.
Scuderia Ferrari HP, via X.com, May 20, 2025:
New suit. Same streets.
The Fashion Stakes: Grid Glamour and the Rise of Alexandra Saint Mleux
But what is Monaco without its fashion? The paddock is a runway, and this year’s grid is more glamorous than ever. Enter Alexandra Saint Mleux, Leclerc’s girlfriend and the new queen of F1 WAGs. Once a mysterious art student, Alexandra has transformed into a bona fide fashion icon, fronting campaigns for Rhode beauty and amassing 1.8 million Instagram followers seemingly overnight.
Her style—quiet luxury with a Parisian twist—has captivated both the fashion press and the F1 faithful. At last year’s Monaco Grand Prix, a video of her in a Rèalisation Par dress went viral, and her appearances at events like the Festival des Étoilés Monte-Carlo have cemented her status as the paddock’s most-watched woman.
Meet Alexandra Saint Mleux, F1’s new style star.
Tatler, May 2024:
She’s the face of a major campaign for Rhode beauty with a devoted 1.3 million following her every last yacht-borne selfie.
Follow Alexandra on Instagram.
The Monaco Experience: Yachts, Royals, and the World’s Most Exclusive Party
To attend the Monaco Grand Prix is to enter a world where the champagne flows as freely as the engines roar. The circuit winds past the terraces of the Hôtel de Paris, the balconies of Casino Square, and the superyachts moored in Port Hercules. This is not just a race; it’s a social summit, a place where celebrities, business magnates, and actual royalty mingle with the motorsport elite.
This year, the spectacle is even more exclusive. Yacht berths along the track are rumored to have sold for millions, and terrace hospitality packages are the hottest tickets in Europe. The parties—hosted by luxury brands, tech billionaires, and the Grimaldis themselves—are as legendary as the race. For those lucky enough to secure an invite, the Monaco Grand Prix is the ultimate expression of status and style.
Explore the full Monaco GP 2025 guide.
The New Rules: Racing Meets Drama
Of course, beneath the glamour lies a fierce sporting contest. The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix introduces a new twist: a mandatory double pit stop for all drivers, regardless of weather. The FIA’s move is designed to spice up a race often criticized for its processional nature, forcing teams to rethink strategy and adding a layer of unpredictability to the world’s most prestigious street circuit.
For Leclerc and Ferrari, the stakes could not be higher. The team, currently fourth in the constructors’ championship, is desperate for a turnaround. Leclerc, sitting fifth in the drivers’ standings, faces immense pressure to deliver another home victory. The white-and-blue suit is more than a fashion statement—it’s a symbol of hope, heritage, and the weight of expectation.
What to expect from Monaco GP 2025.
The Power Couples: WAGs, Influence, and the Social Grid
Monaco is where the worlds of sport, fashion, and celebrity collide. The WAGs of F1—no longer mere bystanders—are now power players in their own right. Alexandra Saint Mleux, Kelly Piquet (partner of Max Verstappen), and Rebecca Donaldson (Carlos Sainz’s girlfriend) are redefining what it means to be a grid queen. Their Instagram feeds are a masterclass in branding, and their presence in the paddock is as influential as any team principal.
Discover the most followed WAGs of F1 in 2025.
The City as a Catwalk: Monaco’s Enduring Allure
What makes Monaco so irresistible? It’s the only place where you can watch a race from a palace terrace, spot a Hollywood A-lister at brunch, and dance until dawn on a billionaire’s yacht—all in the same weekend. The city’s architecture, its Mediterranean light, and its unapologetic embrace of luxury create a backdrop that is both timeless and thrillingly modern.
For Leclerc, Monaco is more than home; it’s his stage. For the rest of us, it’s a reminder that Formula 1, at its best, is about more than speed. It’s about spectacle, status, and the stories that unfold where royalty meets the racetrack.
