Formula One, Monaco: Norris triumphs, Leclerc deserves and dreams to the end

It wasn't much different from 2024, but when Leclerc had won it was obviously more digestible in Italy. Today it's different: you can taste the bitterness of the historic track, but it's so narrow that if you start second and in front you don't fail, it's hard to succeed. The usual refrain that 'weighs' more and more, and in fact the circus is talking more and more about excluding this track from the calendar in the future, just as Imola and Spa will also be at risk this decade.

To celebrate, however, is the good weather, the good party, the regularity of the race without anyone getting hurt. An almost always smooth race, therefore, right from the start. On the one hand, a surprising and unexpected Norris in pole position fooled a highly motivated Leclerc by releasing the brake late but at 'his' right moment at Saint Devote. A gamble, of course, thanks to which he was able, despite a dangerous nailing, to keep his nose in front and maintain the lead from there on.

Enlivening the early stages was only a human error by a young Bortoleto, Sunday's first eliminated: to the Brazilian of Sauber, first flag. Having independently managed to reverse and return to the pits badly but without giving much trouble, he only caused a virtual safety car.

Nothing more until ninth: Gasly, seventeenth, already had a very poor personal performance in qualifying and at the end of the Tunnel du Fairmont a serious error of judgement led him to crash stupidly into the right rear of one Tsunoda, still at the back of the field despite a winning car only a fortnight ago at the hands of the four-time world champion. In this case too, however, luck prevented an interruption: a yellow flag was all that was needed and the debris was quickly removed.

The difficulty of this long 78-lap race is always in managing the race and the tyres. A track where a lot of time is lost in the pits, where speed is limited to sixty kilometres per hour, and the two compulsory stops introduced this year are a novelty on which many bets could bring a wind of benefit in the case of monotonous races. But it didn't work out so well, otherwise Leclerc and Verstappen would be in other podium positions.

The fact remains that in the first round of changes, the balance of power in the positions that count: Leclerc remained ahead of Norris while Verstappen, starting on harder tyres, tried to stretch out the first stint as much as possible, leading as long as he could keep a good advantage over his rivals, so as to try and play his cards right with the fresher tyres in the finale. A tactic that in theory only pays off for those great champions who take it for granted that they can overtake as much as they need to at Monaco, a fact that is hardly taken for granted among the more 'human' drivers. The margin over Hamilton on his return, which from a few metres within ten laps had already become a good fifteen seconds, seems to have proved him right. But the exaggerated form of the McLarens does not allow miracles for an RB21 that is no longer even a distant relative of the previous four years.

Speaking of disappointed champions: yet another sad outcome for one of the most desired and popular names in the paddock. At 43 years of age, after a heartening sixth place in qualifying, no one would have imagined a grand prix finished again due to technical failure: an inexorable retirement for Alonso, who in 2025 has still not managed to score points. And for the third time he couldn't even get the car under the chequered flag.

Worth mentioning is the excellent performance of Isack Hadjar, who on Saturday was able to qualify his Racing Bulls VCARB 02 in the best position of the last era started in 2024. If he doesn't make any major mistakes, he is certainly the candidate to take over from Tsunoda in the main team, as soon as Chris Horner deems him mature enough to no longer make the bad figures they have become accustomed to in the last two years with the Mexican and the Japanese. It is to be hoped, in short, that after the early defenestration of Lawson (and the missed opportunities for Ricciardo) they no longer intend to 'burn' strong drivers but, if anything, to bring them to the top at the right time.

In practice, these regulatory changes did not bring the desired effects. Verstappen, with his second stint as long delayed as the first, did not have the result he had hoped for: he did not manage to pull away from Norris not enough to give himself an advantage to cushion the big time needed for the tyre change. In the end it would end with a smooth pit stop but in the absence of a safety car on which so many would have bet.

In the final ten laps, therefore, the finish was solely the preserve of Norris and Leclerc who, while waiting for Verstappen to let the air clear at the front, remained very much attached, with the Ferrarista pawing at the waiting for a tyre drop or a Norris mistake.

A well-deserved podium for Leclerc, but it is clear that it could and should have been a victory in his mind and in the best hopes of the team and the fans. And so since 2008 McLaren has returned to victory at Monaco: the last one was Hamilton's.

An extraordinary event marked the collector car market this weekend: the Ferrari F2001, the car in which Michael Schumacher won his fourth Formula One World Championship, was sold for a record sum. The auction, held in Monte Carlo under the auspices of RM Sotheby's, saw the single-seater reach the incredible sum of £13 million (around €16 million). This result not only surpasses the previous record for a Schumacher car (the F2003-GA sold in 2022 for €11.61 million), but also underlines the immense historical relevance and prestige associated with the cars of the legendary driver, a seven-time world champion including five in red.

In keeping with tradition, many of the world's most luxurious yachts paraded in Port Hercule during the Monaco Grand Prix. Many owned by ship-owners, others on charter, their quantity is as far as the eye can see and it is difficult to get a complete overview, given the presence of dozens of international stars, starting with Jeff Bezos and several other personalities from sport, industry and entertainment, many of whom had just arrived from the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival.

Among the most famous and majestic yachts, the Kismet, a 122-metre Lürssen owned by Shahid Khan, is notable for its Balinese spa and submerged Art Deco cinema. The Symphony, a 101.5-metre Feadship owned by Bernard Arnault, is famous for its grand piano and glass-bottomed swimming pool. By Sir Philip Green, the Lionheart, a 90-metre Benetti, attracts attention with its sinuous lines and large private balconies.

Also present was the O'Ptasia, an 84.7-metre Golden Yachts designed for charter, with a huge beach club. The 84.2-metre Feadship Obsidian stands out for its futuristic lines and energy efficiency. The Italian Chopi Chopi, an 80-metre CRN, is an elegant private yacht that stands out with its bright blue interior. New entries include the Faith, a 79.9-metre Feadship, which has just completed her maiden voyage.

But the longest naval presence this year was not the 'usual' Middle Eastern yacht that for decades moored in the outer pontoon. This time around, the widest hull was the Explora II, one of the most luxurious cruise ships of the Msc group, which is also title sponsor of three races in 2025: Austria, Austin (Texas, USA) and Brazil.