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

20 May 2025 • Written by Dea Jusufi

As the F1 Monaco Grand Prix kicks into action from Friday 23 – Sunday 25 May 2025, BOAT takes a closer look at the superyachts spotted near the event...

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.

Symphony

Length: 101.5m
Builder: Feadship

The first Feadship to cross 100 metres, Symphony was commissioned by CEO and founder of Louis Vuitton, Bernard Arnault and was the Dutch yard's flagship for three years. Designed by British studio Tim Heywood, the sculptural superyacht is named after her owner's passion for classical music and fittingly features a grand piano on board. Six decks and a volume of 3,463GT house an outdoor cinema, glass-bottom pool and private owner's deck with a sauna, terrace Jacuzzi and office outfitted by François Zuretti.

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.

O'Ptasia

Length: 84.7m
Builder: Golden Yachts

O'Ptasia was designed with chartering in mind. The former flagship of the Greek yard (succeeded by O'Pari in 2022), O'Ptasia has accommodation for 23 guests in 10 cabins, with plenty of amenities to keep a high volume of guests entertained. The enormous beach club is top of the list, accompanied by a spa and wellness centre, though the large pool, bridge deck gym and touch-and-go helipad are also strong contenders. Italian designer Studio Vafiadis styled a contemporary interior with Art Deco influences, including a guest lift and an opulent staircase. She is currently on the market and qualifies as one of the world's most expensive superyachts for sale, according to BOATPro.

Obsidian

Length: 84.2m
Builder: Feadship

The first in Feadship's new generation of reduced-emission vessels, Obsidian's glinting exterior will be easy to spot off the coast of Monaco. Her futuristic lines are by British studio RWD in collaboration with MONK Design, with a cutting-edge underwater lounge to match. The brief for Obsidian was to be more energy efficient and emit less carbon than Feadship’s first hybrid yacht, the 83.5-metre Savannah, which launched in 2015. And Obsidian delivers, with 4.5 times more electrical storage capacity than the earlier build.

Chopi Chopi

Length: 80m
Builder: CRN

Chopi Chopi has remained the flagship of custom Italian builder CRN for 12 years, though she will be usurped next year by an 85-metre build (according to BOATPro). Commissioned by a Middle Eastern owner – the former owner of the 52.3-metre Lady Brave – the superyacht was designed as a purely private holiday vessel for his large family, with Zuccon International Project selected for the exterior. Highlights include vivid blue interiors by Laura Sessa Design, an owner's deck with a terrace and a helipad with three-tonne helicopter capacity. She also received a Judges' Commendation at the 2014 World Superyacht Awards, with the panel citing her "facilities, price and quality".

Faith

Length: 79.9m
Builder: Feadship

The Monaco Grand Prix's newest attendee is Faith, with the Feadship completing her maiden voyage just this month. The new build is the successor to the 96.6-metre Faith (now Sophia), one of the Dutch yard's largest launches to date. Very little detail has been disclosed on her since construction began in early 2021, though British studio RWD has been confirmed as the exterior designer, with naval architecture by Feadship De Voogt. She also has the same diesel-electric power system as Obsidian, which is also in Monaco for the Grand Prix.

Energy

Length: 77.8m
Builder: Amels

Tasked with a brief to "defy convention and find ways to connect with the ocean", naval architect Espen Øino and interior designer François Zuretti came together to create Energy. The design duo first worked together on another Grand Prix attendee – Blohm & Voss' 74.5-metre Eco, now Zeus. Energy has an impressive volume of 2,885GT, which houses accommodation for 14 guests, an upper deck aft pool, a spacious gym, a large beach club with spa and a glass elevator, to name a few. She is currently for sale and has only been used privately since new.

Zeus

Credit: Lidija Jakovljevic

Length: 74.5m
Builder: Blohm & Voss

Martin Francis' first motor yacht, Zeus, is known best for her radical bulbous windows – inspired by 1950s Parisian buses – and her impressive speed, able to reach 36 knots in her prime. Commissioned by Mexican billionaire and multimedia emperor Emilio Azcárraga Milmo, he got good use out of the yacht until he died aged 66. None of the team of young designers and architects that worked on Zeus had previous yacht experience, but many later made their mark in the industry, including François Zuretti, Espen Øino, Jonny Horsfield and Dan Lenard.

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.

Skat

Length: 70m
Builder: Lürssen

Delivered in 2002, Skat immediately attracted worldwide attention with her military-style Espen Øino profile, finished in a steely grey. She is rumoured to have been commissioned by American-Hungarian software architect Charles Simonyi, who led the team that built the first edition of the Microsoft Office software suite. Top features include a colourful owner's library, an elevator that serves all decks and a bridge deck saloon with a stand-up bar and games area. An interior by Marco Zanini accommodates up to 12 guests in seven en suite cabins.