EDITORIAL

As surroundings go, it wasn't a bad place to start the 7th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique weekend. We were assembled at the Hotel de Paris, in Casino Square, for the launch of 'Collage — Jackie Stewart's Grand Prix Album'.

What followed was a presentation by Sir Jackie and his son, Paul, with heartfelt contributions by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, on a book that replicates a cuttings album maintained by the great Scot's wife, Helen. The setting was the room where the annual post–race ball is held, the triple World Champion recalling the first time he attended it, with the wonders of a telegram from Fangio and dinner alongside Princess Grace.

A short film, produced by Mark Stewart, showed JYS in a variety of cars en route to victory in race after race, really throwing the Tyrells about; powersliding through Woodcote corner in the 1973 British Grand Prix and airborne, riding the crest on the climb to Massenet at Monaco.

Move the clock forward a few hours and these very cars, driven by some pretty handy drivers including one of Stewart's contemporaries, the evergreen Richard Attwood, were hard at it again.

The AMG Black Series SLs and matt–wrapped Bugattis were gone from Casino Square. The serious business of the weekend had started and I enjoyed every minute of it, wondering why (35–euro breakfasts apart...) I'd never been to the event before.

You can read my review below, and also John Simister's thoughts on the marvellous Mulsanne, the new Bentley flagship. My trip to Monaco involved a Bentley, too, the most perfect way to travel to the Côte d'Azur — but you'll have to wait a little while for the story on that.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

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