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Dazzling Displays of Luxury: How the Worlds of Yachting and Formula One Go Hand in Hand
Last week, Formula One fans and UHNWI from across the globe made their way to the beautiful country of Monaco for the Grand Prix: a destination renowned not only for its close affiliation with yachting, but with the luxe-lifestyle as a whole. Superyachts.com takes a look at the international nature of the superyacht industry and the world of motorsports, and how the global reach of both contribute to pockets of unparalleled luxury across the planet.
Over the course of this year, 24 Formula One races have been scheduled across the globe. Like the superyacht industry, the world of motorsports has an international reach, appealing to people from every single continent, as well as having strong connotations with the worlds of luxury and innovation.
Five out of the 24 Grand Prix locations this year are renowned superyacht hotspots, spanning the entire globe from the United States to the Middle East. These destinations offer visitors a slice of the luxe-lifestyle, nestled in lavish cities which annually attract the UHNWI elite. Superyachts.com takes a look at these top-pick destinations which confirm the global nature of luxury.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Between March the 7th and March the 9th, the second Grand Prix of the calendar year was held in Saudi Arabia at Jeddah, with Max Verstappen claiming victory. With stunning views of the Red Sea, this venue boasts not only an exceptional location, but a significant place within the world of motorsports, as the Jeddah Corniche Circuit takes the title as the world’s fastest street track.
Saudi Arabia is a country that is renowned for its ties with high-living, with a luxury market size that reached $9.2 billion in 2023. For this reason, it is a hotspot for superyachts, offering unparalleled luxury and a vibrant lifestyle.
Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina is a 5-star luxury waterfront with 95 premium berths for yachts up to 120m, offering a range of premium yachting services. It was the host venue of the 2024 Grand Prix, providing a bridge between the world of motorsports and the world of yachting as visitors were able to revel in dazzling displays of luxury. Over 20 yachts flocked to Jeddah for the Grand Prix in March, including three of the Top 100 largest yachts in the world: 113m ALAIYA, 108m IJE and 95m VAVA 2.
Lando Norris won the sixth Grand Prix event of the year, which was held between the 3rd and 5th of May in Miami, at the Miami International Autodrome in Florida. As a vibrant, bustling city with stunning beaches and a rich culture, this waterfront location is a favourite amongst superyacht Owners, captains and charterers. It boasts a series of state-of-the-art marinas, world-class shopping districts and glittering nightlife, attracting visitors from all over the world, all-year round.
Just a 20 minute drive from the International Autodrome is Miami Beach Marina, located on the trendy South Beach and offering 400 boat slips for yachts up to 72m. This offers fans of Formula One the opportunity to immerse themselves in both the thrilling sport and the sensational world of superyachts, all within a vibrant and sparkling city.
Harmoniously complimenting each other, these two worlds were brought together in a spectacular way on the first night of the Grand Prix, where a F1-inspired yacht party was hosted at Miami’s Marine Stadium Marina. Powered by Residence Yacht Club, attendees were able to indulge in the epitome of luxury during the Miami Grand Prix, making for a truly unforgettable event.
Arguably one of the world’s most renowned superyacht destinations, Monaco hosted the Grand Prix between the 24th and the 26th of May 2024, with Charles Leclerc taking victory as the first home winner for 93 years. It is the ultimate location of luxury, exuding style and sophistication with its rich European heritage and its unparalleled offerings to visitors, including its world-class casino and decadent dining scene.
The Monaco Grand Prix attracts not only the most enthusiastic fans of the Formula One, but some of the world’s most stunning superyachts, as they dock in and around Port Hercules to watch the thrilling nature of the event unfold.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the height of the luxury lifestyle whilst marvelling at the world’s most spectacular cars and yachts alike, witnessing the best of the latest state-of-the-art innovations. The Formula One is an event highlight of the year in Monaco, only rivalled by the Monaco Yacht Show which takes place in September.
Barcelona, Spain
As a hub of culture, beauty and grandeur, Barcelona is a world-class destination that attracts UHNWI year-round, boasting unmatched nightlife and a Michelin star dining scene whilst being rooted in a rich culture. Between the 21st and 23rd of June 2024, the Grand Prix is being held in this exceptional location, at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Just a half an hour drive from the Circuit is Marina Port Vell: a premium marina that attracts superyachts from all over the world. Based in the heart of this iconic city, this yachting hub features a range of spectacular offerings for visitors, including berths for yachts up to 190m, 24 hour security and exceptional concierge services.
The Grand Prix is not the only show-stopping event to be held in Barcelona; this year, Marina Port Vell has been chosen as the preferred marina for the 37th America's Cup, one of the most prestigious sailing competitions in the world. Barcelona is a city that not only offers lavish opportunities for visitors, but the very best of both the Formula One and yachting, positioning it as a hotspot for these two thrilling industries.
Picked to be the final Grand Prix location, Abu Dhabi has been recognised as the perfect place to end what will be a sensational year of the sport, with the final event taking place between the 6th and 8th of December at Yas Marina.
As the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is marked by its high-end ways of living, opulent opportunities for visitors and its luxurious lifestyle, making it the perfect place to serve both high-speed sports and superyachts. The Grand Prix is being held at Yas Marina Circuit: one of the most technologically-advanced tracks in the world that also happens to be located in one of the most remarkable superyacht marinas.
The marina offers an array of dining, fitness and leisure facilities on top of unparalleled superyacht services, with 227 fully serviced berths for yachts up to 90m and superyacht visitor berths for vessels up to 175m. The 2024 Formula One calendar will draw to a close not only at one of the best tracks for motorsports, but in a destination that is characterised by its luxurious nature, as fans can expect to see a spectacle of superyachts docked in Yas Marina over the course of the event.
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These opulent locations have close ties with both motorsports and the superyacht industry, underscoring the global nature of luxury. However, it is not just this that connects the two worlds; innovation is a key aspect of both the superyacht and the motorsport worlds.
Sustainability is paramount within the superyacht industry, as new and advanced technologies and designs are continually being developed, positioning the world of yachting at the forefront of innovation. The same goes for motorsports; Formula One is also striving for a more sustainable future, with a Net Zero 2030 commitment. This reflects the values taken by many marine companies, with leading shipyard Feadship also working towards Net Zero by 2030, alongside the rapid developments of hybrid power and fuel alternatives.
These thrilling worlds represent the future in many respects, developing new innovations that will define the modern uses of technology. With close affiliations to the most luxurious places on the planet, the motorsport and superyacht industries will continue to represent the very best of luxury, blending glitz and glamour with innovation and creativity.