The illustrious and glamorous Monaco Grand Prix is set to take centre stage this weekend – one of the most eye-catching races on the Formula One calendar.
Staged in the tight, winding streets of Monte Carlo, the event is always the focus of attention with celebrities coming from afar to witness the spectacle. A riviere stacked with superyachts, rich millionaires flaunting their cash and supercars lining the streets, it is certainly the centrepiece of the sport’s agenda that cannot be missed.
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the sport’s oldest races, first held in 1929, thanks to Prince Louis II and is ready for the 96th edition on Sunday.
The principality also offers the wealthy refuge from high taxes on their personal income – an inviting proposal to the world’s richest people. Tennis big hitters Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker are among some of the sporting stars who reside in the small principality.
Even musicians such as U2’s Bono and Beatles member Ringo Starr have lived in Monaco during their outstanding careers. It is a billionaire’s paradise, offering a stupendous financial advantage to its residents with its zero personal income tax policy, saving drivers millions on their overall earnings.
So, as the world’s attention turns to the exuberant Grand Prix, who are some of the Formula One driving stars currently residing in the tax-haven paradise of Monaco?
Lewis Hamilton is one of the Formula One stars who spends most of his time in Monaco
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen also enjoys a luxurious lifestyle in Monaco
Daniel Ricciardo is no longer on the F1 grid, but has lived in Monaco for a number of years
Lewis Hamilton
British driving superstar Lewis Hamilton has homes across the world but prefers to spend most of his time in Monaco.
The seven-time world champion, who has a reported net worth of £300m, keeps his property locations private, reaping the tax benefits.
Supposedly, the former Mercedes driver resides in the exclusive Fontvieille district.
He enjoys partaking in water sport activities when he is away from the track as he settles into life at Ferrari.
The 40-year-old has had a mixed start to the 2025 season, but flew through the field to finish fourth at Imola last week, and will hope to build on that in his hometown this weekend.
Hamilton likes to partake in water sport activities during his free time in Monaco
Hamilton arrived via boat for a practice session at the Monaco Grand Prix last year
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen also lives in Monaco, having moved to the principality on his 18th birthday, with 78 laps a season of the Monte Carlo streets clearly not enough for him.
While the Dutchman still pays taxes on income earned in the Netherlands, the Red Bull driver reportedly rents a £16m apartment on the Mediterranean coast.
Verstappen, like Hamilton, enjoys water sports, typically riding a Red Bull-sponsored jet ski.
Right now, he may be spending more of his time enjoying family life, having recently welcomed his first child with his girlfriend, Kelly Piquet.
Verstappen was back to his imperious best to win at Imola last weekend as he chases down McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in pursuit of a fifth straight world title.
Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet welcomed their first child together earlier this month
Piquet posted a picturesque photo of their life together in Monaco recently on Instagram
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is the only current driver who is from Monaco, holding a golden Monaco passport.
The Monegasque has no concerns about tax residency issues and is often seen relaxing off the track cruising on his yacht or playing golf.
Leclerc won the Monaco Grand Prix last year, an emotional victory in front of his home fans.
But he has rarely been at the front of the grid this year, and will need a big upturn in form to repeat his win of 2024 on Sunday – starting from second on the grid.
He is a popular figure in his hometown, though, as shown when a banner depicting him as a saint was unfurled on a Monaco boat earlier this week.
Charles Leclerc holds a Monaco passport and is very popular in the small principality
Leclerc won the Monaco Grand Prix last year in front of his home fans and starts second this weekend
Lando Norris
Lando Norris is the most recent Formula One driver to move to Monte Carlo as driving stars head back to Monaco for the Grand Prix.
The 23-year-old left Woking for the tax-haven of Monaco after the end of the last season.
He may have hoped a change of scenery would help him win his first world title, but Norris has been overshadowed by his McLaren team-mate so far this season.
Norris is currently 13 points behind Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ standings in what promises to be a thrilling title race.
Lando Norris only moved to Monaco at the end of the last season and is still settling in
Oscar Piastri
The championship leader also lives in Monaco.
Piastri had previously resided in the UK before moving to the principality in 2024.
His new luxury lifestyle appears to be aiding his title bid as he has shone in the opening months of the season.
It has been some rise for the Australian, who has been taken under the wing of his fellow countryman Mark Webber, who also challenged for world titles during his own career with Red Bull.
Oscar Piastri switched the UK for Monaco last year and the move seems to be working well
Piastri (right) is currently just ahead of team-mate Norris (left) in the title race
George Russell
Mercedes star George Russell has resided in Monaco for the last two years.
The Brit has been seen getting himself into peak condition at a nearby running track as he chases down his first world title.
Russell is currently dating Spanish fashion influencer Carmen Montero Mundt, with the couple first meeting in 2020.
Mundt had originally been due to go on a date with Russell’s friend, but a late change of plans led to Russell and Mundt getting together.
Five years on, they remain with one another, and spend most of their time in Monaco.
They enjoy time together in the local area, and were spotted at the Monte-Carlo Masters watching some of the world’s biggest tennis stars in action back in 2023.
George Russell enjoys time in Monaco with his influencer girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt
The couple attended the Monte-Carlo Masters together back in 2023 (pictured)
Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz moved to Monaco last year, and reportedly lives just five minutes away from Leclerc.
The two men raced alongside each other for Ferrari, but have since been separated, with Sainz now at Williams.
It has been a difficult start for Sainz at his new team, with the Spaniard only earning 11 points so far this season.
He is currently 29 points behind his team-mate, Alex Albon, in the standings.
