| With the new F1 season four races old, the | | | | As the Grand Prix circuit winds its way from |
| drivers have already been to Australia, Bahrain, | | | | continent to continent, it certainly speaks of |
| Malyasia and then to Spain. | | | | Monaco's charm that many drivers end up there |
| But at the rare times between races when the | | | | at the end of the season. Monaco offers offers |
| drivers do get a couple of days off and head | | | | entertainment, tax breaks and respite from the |
| home - home is increasingly for many of them | | | | F1 circuit. |
| Monaco. | | | | Last year's Grand Prix season was an exciting |
| Recently, British driver Lewis Hamilton who won | | | | one. It began in March of 2007 in Australia and |
| the opening race of the season in Australia | | | | ended in October in Brazil. The circuit passed |
| announced his decision to move to Switzerland. | | | | through the Middle East, Europe, North America, |
| What led to the decision? Some might surmise it's | | | | Japan and China. Time spent in Monaco, after it's |
| tax related. | | | | all said and done, seems like what the doctor |
| Certainly, Switzerland is an attractive option for | | | | ordered. |
| the wealthy. Although he has stated he's moving | | | | This small country, with just over 32,000 people, |
| there to escape the extraordinary amount of | | | | is the second smallest independent state after the |
| public and media attention he receives in Britain - | | | | Vatican. According to former F1 driver, Johnny |
| life in the fast lane needs slowing down | | | | Herbert of Britain, most Grand Prix drivers live in |
| sometimes for even the fastest of drivers it | | | | Fontvieille. This is prime real estate - a fabricated |
| seems. | | | | harbour built in the 1970's in Monaco. The country |
| But Monaco remains the premiere spot to call | | | | itself is roughly the size of New York City's |
| home for the Grand Prix drivers of the F1 circuit. | | | | Central Park. |
| Monaco includes the district of Monte Carlo with | | | | Although the primary reason for the well-paid |
| its famous casino, first-class hotels, and leisure | | | | Grand Prix drivers to live here is taxes - or the |
| facilities for the jet-set crowd. Is it any wonder | | | | lack thereof- there has to be more to it than |
| that it's a favourite spot for these elite drivers? | | | | that. If it were just that, they'd all live in |
| They can unwind from a gruelling season and still | | | | Switzerland or the Bahamas or offshore on a |
| get up-to-speed when they choose - enjoying the | | | | tugboat (albeit a very luxurious one). |
| exotic nightlife in this country. | | | | You have to believe there's more to it than the |
| Who lives in Monaco when they're not traipsing | | | | monetary savings. You would think the racing |
| the world's finest F1 circuits? Here's a who's who: | | | | history of this principality lures drivers in - Grand |
| * British driver Jenson Button | | | | Prix drivers having racing oil in their blood. Sure, |
| * German driver Nico Rosberg | | | | they also have a taste for the finer things in life |
| * Alex Wurz of Austria, who just recently | | | | which Monaco offers. Nevertheless, there's a |
| announced his retirement | | | | history here. The greats of F1's of the past have |
| * David Coulthard of Britain | | | | left their stamp on Monaco. |
| * Felipe Massa of Brazil | | | | The Circuit de Monaco holds onto the memories |
| * Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy | | | | of greats like Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and |
| Each May, Monaco hosts its own Grand Prix race, | | | | Jackie Stewart. These were stalwarts of the |
| and this years is scheduled for Sunday May 25 | | | | sport who won on the course multiple times. It |
| It's one of the most prestigious stops on the | | | | also doesn't forget the likes of Niki Lauda, Jody |
| Grand Prix tour with a rich history behind it. The | | | | Sheckter and all the others who have won here. |
| first race ran in 1929. The Monaco Grand Prix is | | | | There's racing history tucked in this parcel of land |
| one-third of the Triple Crown of Motorsport. The | | | | between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. |
| other two are the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 | | | | Grand Prix drivers know that and it's not hard to |
| hours of Le Mans. All three display drivers at the | | | | understand why so many of them choose to live |
| top of their game on courses known to test the | | | | in Monaco. |
| limits of endurance and technical driving skills. | | | | |