The yacht-spotter's guide to the F1 Monaco Grand Prix

Every year, Monaco’s Grand Prix pulls in some of the fleet’s finest superyachts for a weekend of adrenaline-fuelled F1 action and A-lister events in the heart of the principality. Yachts moored stern to the circuit have a premium vantage point over the cars tearing around the track, while superyachts at anchor can enjoy all the Formula One buzz with the added benefit of privacy and seclusion. 

BOAT takes a closer look at the superyachts spotted near the event...

Renaissance

Length: 111.9m
Builder: Freire

Renaissance is the largest private yacht built in Spain and one of the world's most expensive charter yachts. Which is quite the feat for Freire, a commercial shipyard that has built only one private yacht in the past. With 7,200GT to play with, her list of amenities include a sushi bar, a dedicated hair and beauty salon, a ballet bar with a mirror for stretching and two cinemas – one indoor, one outdoor. The owner's deck is described as "palatial" and comes with its own a media room, a lounge with bar and dining and a private terrace with a Jacuzzi for six.

Seven Sins

Length: 52.1m
Builder: Sanlorenzo

Spotted pulling into port with a Bugatti on the aft, Seven Sins is the perfect yacht for soaking up the Formula One action. She is part of Sanlorenzo's hugely successful 52Steel series, with features including a glass-bottomed pool on the aft that floods the beach club below with light. Her palatial interior design offers plenty of space for kicking back and watching the races in a more relaxed setting and her sharp Officina Italiana Design exterior is sure to attract attention in Monaco harbour. 

Lionheart

Length: 90m
Builder: Benetti

Lionheart was launched in 2016 as the shipyard's largest build to date, though she was surpassed by the 107-metre Mar (ex Lana) four years later. She was the third yacht to be ordered from Benetti by the same owner, Sir Philip Green. While her curvy exterior and private balconies will be visible to those visiting Port Hercule this weekend, interiors have always been shrouded in secrecy. It is known that  Stefano Natucci collaborated with Benetti on the exterior design and Green & Mingarelli Design is responsible for the interior design.

Fountainhead

Length: 87.8m  
Builder: Feadship

Created with family use in mind, Fountainhead features a recreation room and library that can be converted into cabins to supplement the six existing guest cabins and owner's suite. She was designed by De Voogt Naval Architects and Sinot Yacht Design, though "a signature blend of art, antiques and aesthetics" by Belgian artist Axel Vervoordt are also displayed throughout.  Leisure highlights include a fully-equipped gym with health club, a contra-flow swimming pool and a tender garage that houses wave runners, kayaks, surfboard and diving equipment, among others. The superyacht is named after the famous novel by Ayn Rand.

Coral Ocean

Length: 72.6m
Builder: Lürssen

A World Superyacht Award winner, Coral Ocean earned the judges' commendation following a sensitive, multi-million refit that converted the heritage vessel into a successful charter platform. All deck spaces were upgraded, including a reimagined sundeck that now houses a glass-sided spa pool, sunbathing and observation deck and a central deckhouse with a television lounge, dining area and bar. Coral Ocean was one of the largest launches of 1994 and her secrecy for the first two decades of her life solidified her as an icon for the German shipyard. She is owned by Australian garbage waste disposal giant Ian Malouf. 

Titania

Length: 72m  
Builder: Lürssen

Delivered in 2006, Titania  (ex Apoise) was put up for auction by her owner in 2010 and was snapped up for €33.75 million – roughly half the estimated value – by Phones4U tycoon John Caudwell. He then went on to refit, lengthen and rename the superyacht, which he discusses in an exclusive interview with BOAT International. Designed by Espen Øino and Francois Zuretti, the Lürssen was the star yacht in season six of The Crown and is a popular charter yacht. No wonder, as she sports a beach club that can be converted into a nightclub, an onboard masseuse and beautician and an impressive array of watersports – including a waterpark and a 12.7-metre slide.

Force Blue

Length: 70m
Builder: Royal Denship

Force Blue first hit the water in 2002 as the 63.3-metre Big Roi, a trawler-style expedition yacht that has since been refitted to varying degrees. The most recent work was done at Lusben in 2022 and involved a seven-metre stern extension to allow for a large, wrap-around swim platform. The main deck was extended in the process as well. Design highlights include a black-tiled spa (with heated massage table), a cinema, a barbecue and dining area that turns into a disco and a dining room that doubles as a conference space. An elevator serves all decks.

Loon

Length: 67.5m
Builder: Icon Yachts

The flagship of the Dutch shipyard, Loon (ex Icon) is now anchored in Port Hercule where she is likely to cause another social media sensation. She was delivered in 2010 to a design by RWD, with clean, contemporary interiors by Studio Linse. A raised main deck pool is one of her many highlights with two panels of glass that filter natural light into the beach club below. A bar, gym, massage room and sauna are also found at this level. Loon was sold to a new owner in April 2023, after which she joined the charter fleet with IYC.

AHS

Length: 66m  
Builder: Oceanco

AHS has undergone numerous name changes (she was sold and renamed mostly recently in January) but started life as Dilbar in 2005. A successful charter yacht, she can be easily distinguished in port by her classic canoe stern. An interior by the late Alberto Pinto provides accommodation across eight cabins, including a full-beam owner's suite with its own lounge and adjoining private office. Other highlights include an outdoor cinema, a beamy sundeck with 19,000-litre pool and a helipad that transforms into a sun lounge.

JoyMe

Length: 49.9m
Builder: Zepter

The Croatian yard's first superyacht offering, JoyMe is usually berthed in Cap d’Ail but has been sighted in Monaco for the past two Grands Prix. She’s one of the most recognisable yachts at the event, with her custom red and white exterior and unusual eye motif – said to be the eyes of the commissioning owner’s daughter. Leisure highlights include a Pop Art-inspired interior by Marijana Radovic, a sundeck with a 3.5-metre Jacuzzi and a lower deck arranged with a gym, Finnish sauna and Hammam spa with sea views. Accommodation is across five cabins, including the "VIP deck" owner's cabin which has a walk-in bathroom, lounge and private sunbathing platform on the bow.

Milele

Length: 45.2m
Builder: Royal Hakvoort

The most recent delivery on the list, Milele is one of this year's World Superyacht Award winners. According to the judges, she stood out thanks to her "incredible build quality” and surprising spaces on board. Most notable of these is the innovative foredeck garage, which stores a submarine and crane, and has a full entertainment suite with a large television screen built into its hatch. She was designed inside and out by Omega Architects with an efficient hull design by Van Oossanen Naval Architects.