Top 3 Formula 1 sculptures in Monaco
Last part of our series devoted to the sculptures of the Principality, this article focuses, this time, on motorsport.
How can we talk about Monaco without mentioning one of the most famous sporting events in the world? Car enthusiasts have guessed it: it is indeed the Monaco Grand Prix. Among the famous pilots who have marked the history of this sporting event, some have their own statue in Monaco. Here is our top 3.
Juan Manuel Fangio, Formula 1 champion
The Principality paid tribute to one of the greatest racing drivers of all time: Juan Manuel Fangio. A bronze statue was deployed near Port Hercule in his honor.
The Argentinian competitor is represented with his racing vehicle: a Mercedes Benz W196. It was with this car that he won one of his titles at the Monaco Grand Prix. This sculpture was stopped in 2003, it is located at the other end of the esplanade. It is the work of the Catalan sculptor Joaquim Ros Sabate.
The one nicknamed “El Chueco” (because of his bow legs) won five world championship titles.
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William Grover, forever the first
If you pass through the Quartier de Monte-Carlo, just before walking along the Port Hercule esplanade, it is very likely that you will cross paths with another bronze car. Inaugurated in May 2001 by Prince Rainier III, it was proposed by the French artist François Chevallier.
The first winner of the Monaco Grand Prix, in April 1929, is represented there. This is William Grover, known as “Williams”. We see him on the statue, driving his Bugatti Type 35B with which he won the first edition.
This unforgettable victory was certainly the greatest triumph of his career.
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“F1 Automotive Sculpture”
Here is “the F1 McLaren”. It is located near the Portier roundabout, not far from the Japanese Garden. This statue represents one of the racing cars that are used today at the Monaco Grand Prix.
This one probably refers to the racing car of the McLaren team. This same team whose racing driver, Lando Norris, finished third in the last edition. Work of Christian Maas, French artist, the statue is put on display in a bend which is part of the circuit of the Grand Prix of Monaco.
Apart from the technological innovations that each new model of racing car may have, most if not all of these cars look something like this sculpture. Single-seater, low seat, lowered nose… Passers-by can see the evolution of racing cars since the 20th century, like those driven by Fangio or Williams.