Field Notes: Monaco Grand Prix
A quiet reminder that even the most dazzling dreams can feel surprisingly down to earth.
Welcome to Field Notes, where my camera roll meets the margins of my notebook. Expect photos, thoughts, and snippets from Grand Prix weekends and whatever scenes I stumble into. This is the more visual, in-motion side of the newsletter—documenting the in-between moments.
I used to think Monaco was untouchable. When I first started Paddock Project, it felt like the kind of place I’d always watch on screen, dream about visiting someday, or, yes, bemoan for its lack of overtakes from my couch. The glamour, the yachts, the crowned jewel of it all. It felt worlds away.
So to have actually been there last weekend still doesn’t feel entirely real.
What surprised me most wasn’t the spectacle, but how human it all felt. We stayed up in the quiet hills of Beausoleil, where neighbors waved and said bonjour each morning. We ended up at Prince Rainier III’s favorite neighborhood spot, Polpetta, surrounded by older Monégasque regulars and the smell of rosé and spaghetti vongole (we're less than 10 miles from Italy, after all). Everyone was kind. Everyone was in a good mood. The city shimmered effortlessly, without needing the fanfare. But of course there was that, too.
I’m still on a cloud. Still processing what it means to be in spaces I once only admired from afar. And still so, so grateful. To my audience for making any of this possible. To Pepe Jeans, my F1 fairy godmother Alice, and Red Bull for making a weekend entirely out of my student budget realities happen. And to my mom for tagging along and indulging this strange project of mine.
Here are some of my favorite moments and musings.
Racing
The Williams during practice. Williams is easily a favorite team of mine. Two standout drivers (as both athletes and humans), a team boss with real vision, a comms crew that’s the loveliest to work with, and a dark horse storyline that feels on the verge of something big.
Red Bull garage. The Monaco GP paddock is unlike any other—so tight that garages share walls and even windows. One Red Bull team member told me they crack theirs open just enough to peek at Mercedes’ setup, curious about their wheel guns with preload settings for quicker stops. In this game, every millisecond counts.
Behind the scenes with Laura Winter, F1TV’s main presenter. Watching broadcasters work in real time is humbling. It’s an art, a grind, and so much more than what makes it to air.
Port Hercule. The beating heart of the Grand Prix, lined with yachts, pulsing with music, and somehow still holding a quiet kind of glamour beneath the chaos.
European logistics. Unlike flyaway races, European GPs rely on fleets of trucks, team motorhomes, and modular setups. Less air freight, more efficiency, and a rhythm that feels both old-school and increasingly sustainable.
Charles Leclerc’s limited edition hat. How much could a hat possibly cost you ask? Try 120 euros…
Red Bull Energy station. The infamous pool where all your favorites have done their victory dives.
Things to do
Musée Océanographique. If I had one recommendation for anyone visiting Monaco, this is it—a cliffside museum devoted to marine science and ocean conservation, with exhibits that rival the view for your attention.
Walking the streets. Just wander. Climb the hills, the view is worth it.
Casino de Monte Carlo. I became a “member,” whatever that means. It’s beautiful inside and the blackjack tables are only a 25 euro minimum (which, hey, is still a lot but beats Vegas any day).
Places to eat & drink
Polpetta. Prince Rainier III’s favorite neighborhood spot, and one filled today with locals.
Bar Americain. Tucked inside the Hôtel de Paris, it’s old-school glamour at its smoothest—dimly lit, piano playing, and the perfect place to people watch and end a Monaco night.