Monaco and Formula 1: Where Racing Legends Build Their Lives Beyond the Track

As the countdown to the Monaco Grand Prix begins, the Principality once again prepares to transform nearly 10% of its territory into Formula 1’s most iconic street circuit. But beyond the roaring engines and glitz of race weekend, Monaco serves as much more than a racing venue — it’s a hub of residence, investment, and philanthropy for many F1 drivers, past and present.

Monaco: Home to F1’s Elite

Monaco isn’t just a place where drivers race — it’s where many of them live, build businesses, and give back to the community. The tiny state, with a population of around 38,400, boasts the highest concentration of Formula 1 drivers on Earth. In fact, about one in every 3,200 residents is a current F1 driver.

At least 12 current F1 stars call Monaco home, including local hero Charles Leclerc, and reportedly Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, George Russell, Lando Norris, Daniel Ricciardo, Alex Albon, Valtteri Bottas, and Nico Hülkenberg (as cited by Condé Nast, HELLO! Magazine, The Standard UK, and others).

Retired legends who have lived or invested in Monaco include David Coulthard, Thierry Boutsen, Jenson Button, Mika Häkkinen, Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber, Paul di Resta, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Daniil Kvyat — many of whom maintain deep ties with the Principality.

Life Beyond the Circuit: Business and Innovation

Collectively, these drivers hold a combined net worth estimated at nearly €1 billion (Forbes), and many are channeling their earnings into ventures rooted in or managed from Monaco. Here’s a look at how some of them are shaping the Principality through entrepreneurship:

• Charles Leclerc has launched LEC, a Monaco-based artisanal ice cream brand.

• Thierry Boutsen runs Boutsen Aviation, a firm specializing in private jet sales, employing an entire team of former pilots.

• Lewis Hamilton is deeply involved in sustainability, green tech, and fashion — many of these initiatives are tied to Monaco in operations or influence.

• David Coulthard was a former owner of the Columbus Hotel in Monte Carlo.

• Lando Norris founded Quadrant, a gaming and lifestyle brand, which has operations partly based in Monaco.

• Nico Rosberg co-founded the GREENTECH FESTIVAL and is an active venture capitalist focused on sustainability from his Monaco base.

• Max Verstappen has interests in brand partnerships and e-sports, aligning his competitive spirit with digital innovation.
  

Giving Back: A Culture of Philanthropy

Beyond business, many F1 drivers play a vital role in Monaco’s philanthropic landscape. Several are ambassadors for local causes and actively support community initiatives.

Charles Leclerc, Mika Häkkinen, and Valtteri Bottas, for example, serve as ambassadors for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, participating in campaigns that promote youth empowerment and water safety.

More Than a Race — A Way of Life

For many F1 professionals, the Monaco Grand Prix is not the end goal but part of a larger lifestyle rooted in wealth management, innovation, and community engagement. Monaco is where their careers on the track meet legacies built off it — in boardrooms, foundations, and across industries.

So as the engines fire up and the streets of Monte Carlo echo with the thrill of the Grand Prix, remember: the finish line here often marks the start of a new chapter for Formula 1’s brightest stars.