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Windstar Star Legend Deck Plans & Reviews

Windstar Star Legend

Activities & entertainment

• Whirlpool (2)
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• Computer Center
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Deck Parties
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• Nightly Recaps & Briefings
• Watersports Platform
• Veranda /Candles - Casual
• Compass Rose - Clubby Lounge *
• AmphorA - International
• The Yacht Club - Panoramic Bar *
• Star Bar - Pool Bar *
• Excellent 28
• Very Good 2
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Star Legend

The Star Legend is a recently renovated, all-suite yacht, hosting 312 guests aboard. All suites have beautiful ocean views, with picture windows or French-style balconies – unless you’re in the Owner’s or Classic Suites, in which case you can enjoy a private balcony. You’ll enjoy the sitting area of your suite, making it your private retreat for your cruise. Aboard the Star Pride, you’ll enjoy the lounges, library, pool, WindSpa, fitness center, screening room, and more! With the open bridge policy, you can visit the Captain anytime to look over navigation charts. If you want to travel with family or friends, ask about adjoining suites!

Included in your cruise:

• All meals in all venues at all times, including room service menu available 24 hours/day
• All non-alcoholic beverages, including cappuccino, espresso, and other specialty non-alcoholic drinks
• Welcome cocktails at reception
• All onboard entertainment
• Unlimited use of Fitness Center
• Unlimited use of water sports equipment
• Evening port talks and destination briefings

Click here to download the deck plan.

All accommodations feature:

• Queen size bed with luxurious linens
• Waffle weave robe and slippers
• Flat screen TV with DVD player
• Fully-stocked mini bar/refrigerator
• Direct Dial Phone
• L’Occitane Bath Amenities
• Fresh Flowers
• Fresh Fruit
• Granite vanity with magnifying mirror
• Walk-in closet and ample drawer space
• Bathroom with granite countertop, full-size tub, and shower.
• Hair dryers and 110/220 outlets

The Numbers

• 4 owner suites
• 522 ft long

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Star Legend

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1 : 0.7 #30 of ships

1 : 47 #59 of 261 ships

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Port-centric sailings and larger cabin sizes (complete with plush amenities like walk-in closets and marble bathrooms) highlight the balance Star Legend seeks to strike between the romance of Windstar's smaller masted ships and the yacht size and build of its newer acquisitions. For cruisers who cut their teeth on the expedition focused sailings of other lines, or who earned the stamps in their passport backpacking, this ship may be the perfect combination of grown up comfort and exploration.

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Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend Completes Total Transformation

Much more than the usual ship refurbishment, Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend just completed a massive transformation. Following completion of a multimillion dollar renovation project, Windstar Cruises’ President officially received a “new” Star Legend from the shipyard in Palermo, Sicily. 

Part of Windstar’s $250 million Star Plus Initiative, Star Legend’s transformation included the insertion of a middle section into the ship. This added 50 additional suites that would allow the ship to accommodate 312 guests. Renovations happened throughout the ship from dining to fitness and intensified sanitation ability.

Star Legend Completes Transformation and Expansion 

Star Legend is the second of Windstar Cruises’ three small ships to undergo the transformation at the Italian shipyard. Star Breeze was the first ship to be completed and Star Pride is scheduled to complete its transformation this summer.

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“We’re proud to see Star Legend emerge from this major project with all initial plans completed,” said Prelog. “I am so thankful to Fincantieri for their great partnership on this complicated and innovative project. This is the ship I began my seagoing career on 20 plus years ago and to see it today like a new ship is more than exciting for me. I am blown away.”

Star Legend and all Star Class Transformations Include:

• Two new restaurants : Star Grill by Steven Raichlen , an outdoor barbecue concept, and Cuadro 44 by Michelin chef Anthony Sasso , a Spanish small plates restaurant
• Refurbished and enlarged spa and fitness center:  The workout equipment is made by Technogym, an Italian company known for its cutting-edge designs. The spa menu features regional spa treatments and destination-themed therapies as part of the World Spa by Windstar program
• Larger pool and hot tub on top deck:   The yacht now has a larger pool and hot tub on an elevated top deck with expanded outdoor deck areas.
• Fifty new 277-square feet suites:  New suite categories were added with open floor plans plus two brand-new, larger Owner’s Suites. These suites can combine to create up to a three-bedroom, two-balcony suite with more than 1,300 square feet, unique to the cruise industry.
• New bathrooms:   Who doesn’t love a brand new bathroom! Every suite on board features all-new bathrooms.
• New mid-ship elevator
• Two new 90-passenger tenders to use at ports where the ship needs to anchor.
• Increased Health and safety renovations and sanitation to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Health and Safety Measures

The transformation also includes new health and safety renovations that were added to the project when COVID-19 impacted the cruise industry in 2020. Windstar’s Beyond Ordinary Care program is a multi-layered strategy implementing key hospital-grade elements. HEPA filters and UV-C ultraviolet germicidal irradiation are used to filter and disinfect the air. Electrostatic sprayers were added to sanitize all surfaces throughout the yacht. 

In addition, Windstar Cruises requires proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination for all guests who plan to sail aboard Windstar’s yachts.

“Many thanks to the team here in Palermo for their hard work and diligence on a long, complicated project,” said John Gunner, Windstar’s vice president of expansion projects. “It was an amazing process to get the ship to where she is now; and we have one more to go.”

Star Legend begins cruising in Northern Europe on Sept 4, 2021 features their Belles of the British Isles itinerary sailing roundtrip from London.

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Star Legend cabins and suites

Star legend staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Star Legend cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Windstar Cruises en-suite amenities and services.

The Star Legend cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

3-Bedroom Grand Owners Suite

Layout (floor plan).

Grand Owners are 3-Bedroom Suites (connecting cabins 640-638-636 or 641-639-637). They can also be booked as 2-Bedroom Suites (adjoining cabins 640-638 or 641-639). As 2-Bedroom, these suites are sized 1100 ft2 (102 m2) including the balcony.

Midship Owners Suite

Forward owners suite, classic suite.

In 2023, both of Deck 5's fore-located Classic Suites (room numbers 500/portside and 501/starboard) were transformed into the themed suites "The Broadmoor Suite" (classic-design dark wood furniture) and "The Sea Island Suite" (modern-design wooded furniture).

Deluxe Suite

Balcony cabin, oceanview cabin, porthole cabin, star legend cabins review.

Following the 2020-2021 drydock stretching, Star Legend cabins' total number is now 156 (50 more in comparison to the original ship design). Like all big-sized Windstar cruise ships, Legend is an all-suite vessel. The number of all cabin categories is 13 (8x prior drydock). Handicap (wheelchair-accessible) cabins for disabled passengers are only 4 (located on decks 4-5, room numbers 134, 136, 232, 234). Connecting staterooms' number is 20 (10 pairs of suites convertible to a double suite).

Accessible suites are shower only, with standard doors, 1 queen bed (no twin option), modified bathrooms (portable ramp). All are conveniently located near the ship's aft lifts.

Follows the review of Star Legend staterooms as furniture, amenities and included (complimentary) services:

Each cruise accommodation has a separate bathroom (granite countertop, WC-toilet, full-size bathtub, shower, luxury bath amenities by L'Occitane, premium bathrobes, towels, slippers), two twin beds convertible to queen-size (with luxury pillows and bedding sets /Egyptian cotton linens), vanity table with 1 chair and magnifying mirror, ample walk-in closet space, smart HDTV (set with DVD player), minibar (fully-stocked mini-refrigerator), electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), phone (direct dial), 110V/220V power outlets.

"Classic Suite" accommodations are 1/3 larger and offer additionally a forward window plus floor-ceiling sliding doors opening to a private balcony. In 2023, the Classic Suites on Deck 5 (forward) were transformed into the themed suites "The Broadmoor Suite" (classic-design dark wood furniture) and "The Sea Island Suite" (modern-design wooded furniture).

"Owner's Suite" accommodations have a separate living room, separate dining area, forward-location balcony (deck 6 cabins 03 and 04) or portside/starboard balcony (deck 6 cabins 05 and 06), two flat TV-DVD sets, a full bathroom plus a separate guest bathroom.

All staterooms (regardless of cabin category) receive fresh flowers, a bowl with fresh fruits and bottled water (replenished daily).

Star Legend ship's 5x wheelchair-accessible staterooms (308, 448, 450, 548, 550) are handicap cabins with modified bathrooms (shower only, single-sink vanity, portable ramp) and standard-width entry doors (interior and exterior).

Triple-occupancy staterooms (cabins fitted with a 3rd bed) are Balcony Suites (506, 507, 606, 607), Star OceanView Suites (430, 432, 433) and OceanView Suites (406, 407, 408, 409, 428, 429, 502, 503, 528, 529, 624, 625).

Star Legend cabin and suite plans are property of Windstar Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers Interactive TV Fully Stocked Mini Bar/Refrigerator Safe Direct Dial Phone L'Occitane Bath Amenities Fresh Fruit Hair Dryers and 110/220 outlets Wi-Fi Internet Access(various plans available for purchase) Mirrored closet with ample drawer space Granite vanity with magnifying mirror and chair

• CAPACITY: 312 guests
• OWNER'S SUITES: 4, with private verandas
• CLASSIC SUITES: 2, with private verandas
• DELUXE SUITES: 3, 2 with French-style balconies
• STAR BALCONY SUITES: 22, with French-style balconies
• BALCONY SUITES: 36, with French-style balconies
• STAR OCEAN VIEW SUITES: 21, with picture windows
• OCEAN VIEW SUITES: 58, with picture windows
• STAR PORTHOLE SUITES: 10
• DECKS: 6 guest decks
• CREW: 204 international staff
• SHIP'S REGISTRY: Bahamas
• LENGTH: 522 ft (159 meters)
• DRAFT: 17.7 ft (5.4 meters)
• BEAM: 63 ft (19 meters)
• TONNAGE: 12,995 gross registered tons (grt)
• PROPULSION: Twin propeller, driven by two Wartsila diesel engines
• SPEED:  Cruising speed 15 knots

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Coronation Street legend’s final scenes revealed as he exits after 15 years

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Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) will leave Coronation Street next week after 15 years.

Last December, Simon’s dad Peter Barlow ( Chris Gascoyne ) left Weatherfield to start a new life abroad working on a yacht.

The departure left Simon devastated and in a dark place. Struggling to find a focus, Simon found a distraction by drinking and partying with his friends.

He then got a wake up call over his reliance on alcohol when he crashed a car while under the influence, and put Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) in hospita l.

After a difficult start to the year, Simon finally sees the light at the end of a dark tunnel next week.

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Leanne Battersby ( Jane Danson ) returns from the treat Rowan (Emryhs Cooper) organised and explains that her workshop overran so she just stayed another night.

When Simon then reveals he’s leaving to join Peter on his yacht, Leanne is furious that nobody bothered to consult her about it. Nick Tilsley ( Ben Price ) assures her that he left a message with Rowan, which he obviously failed to pass on.

Later, after saying goodbye to her son, Leanne chats to someone on her laptop, telling them how Simon’s gone, she’s all alone and and she wishes she could be with them.

This concerning development continues in the week, as Leanne opens her computer again, smiles at the person on the screen and tells them she loves them.

Is Leanne having an affair?

‘It was incredibly emotional which is understandable as it has been a huge part of my life’, Alex Bain reflected, talking about filming his final scenes.

‘We filmed out of order so my last scene that I filmed wasn’t Simon’s last scene in the show, but he was in Roys Rolls saying goodbye to Carla. My parents Debra and Paul had come in to watch the scene and the director kindly suggested that they could be background artists in the cafe. So there I was discussing Simon’s mum and dad with Carla whilst my own mum and dad were sitting at a table behind me having a coffee, how surreal!

‘It was so special for them and me. My mum was my chaperone when I first started and both of them have been so supportive of me throughout my time on Corrie so it was a real moment for us all that they are in one of my final scenes.

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‘I felt very positive about it, yes the show has been the backbone of my life but I am 22 now and maybe it is time to see what the future holds’, he added, discussing his departure.

‘It isn’t just a job, you become part of a family and I will always have those people in my life. They aren’t just colleagues, they are friends. Obviously anybody leaving feels sad about saying goodbye to people but any sadness is a small part of it. That doesn’t take away the excitement and anticipation.

‘With Chris going it felt like the obvious thing for Simon to follow his dad, Simon has been through so much and he was lost without his dad around. Simon heading off on his adventures means I can have new ones of my own.’

MORE : Coronation Street legend arrested for the murder of a baby

MORE : Carla Connor discovers Peter Barlow’s painful secret and makes a game-changing decision in Coronation Street

MORE : Do you recognise this Coronation Street star from iconic Sugababes music video?

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How the Monaco Grand Prix became the most iconic F1 race

• The Monaco Grand Prix is the crown jewel of Formula 1, known for its glitz and glamour.
• The race features a tight, unforgiving track with hairpin turns that continue to challenge drivers.
• Iconic moments include Senna's 1988 crash, Schumacher's 2012 pole, and Ricciardo's 2018 win.
• This article is part of " Behind the Wheel ," a series about the highly competitive and high-tech world of Formula 1.

There's certainly something unique about Monaco.

The principality, which takes up less than 1 square mile, is notorious for being a playground for the ultrawealthy . But it's arguably best known for the Monaco Grand Prix, a car race through the streets of Monte Carlo that has been an integral part of the Formula 1 calendar since the series' inaugural season in 1950.

In the decades since then, the Monaco Grand Prix has become the crown jewel of Formula 1 — and arguably the most famous race in the world.

"Monaco is really everything Formula 1 aspires to be: wealth, fame, decadence," said Bob Varsha, a longtime Formula 1 broadcaster who covered the Monaco Grand Prix for ESPN throughout the 1990s and 2000s. "It's the billionaire's Disneyland, cloaked in mystery, soaking in money and luxury."

The grand prix actually began in 1929, before Formula 1 existed. It was one of a handful of races held within and around Monaco, cementing the principality's status as a paradise for car enthusiasts. The race joined the Formula 1 calendar in its inaugural season in 1950 and became famous for its tight, unforgiving track, with hairpin turns that challenge drivers and engineers alike.

"Monaco is nothing like any other track on the calendar," Varsha said. "It's almost a reverse challenge to all of the engineering minds in Formula 1. You take this fabulous, technological, spacecraft-like race car, and you have to totally rebuild it, rethinking it for the slower speeds and tight corners of Monaco."

The narrow track, which doesn't allow for much overtaking, has only added to the race's reputation. And though Formula 1 has changed a lot since 1950, Monaco's beautiful vistas with cars speeding past yachts and taking sharp turns around its casino have contributed to its lasting charm.

"Of course, there is only one Monaco," said Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren, whose team is enjoying a resurgent season after the driver Lando Norris' victory at the Miami Grand Prix . It's "the pinnacle of the calendar and arguably the most famous race in the world, up there with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans."

But Monaco earned its reputation on more than just its beautiful scenery and longevity. Here are some of the race's iconic moments that helped it earn its legendary status.

A legend is born

At the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix — the race's first as part of Formula 1 — the Argentine driver Juan Manuel Fangio earned the victory for Alfa Romeo. It would be Fangio's first of many victories in the series; he'd go on to win five Formula 1 world championships throughout the 1950s, establishing himself as the sport's first true star.

The movie treatment

Jackie Stewart is one of the most famous drivers in F1's history, and part of that reputation was earned in Monaco. His quest to win the 1971 Monaco Grand Prix was documented in Roman Polanski's film " Weekend of a Champion ," which highlighted the race's glitz and glamour and Stewart's amusing personality.

Decades later, returning as a broadcaster, Stewart received adoration from race fans throughout Monaco. "I learned very quickly that Sir Jackie is the mayor of Monaco during race weekend," Varsha, who worked with Stewart as broadcast partners on several occasions, recalled. "Nothing is major league that weekend unless Jackie is there."

Senna's crash

Perhaps no one exemplified the Monaco Grand Prix as much as Ayrton Senna, the legendary Brazilian driver who won the race a record six times.

His most memorable moment, though, may have come in a loss. He famously crashed out of the lead in 1988 despite cruising toward what seemed like a surefire victory. The moment was a centerpiece of the documentary "Senna."

"Senna led by a mile and felt he was having an out-of-body experience," Varsha recalled. "And then he hit the fence with this massive lead, got out of the car, stomped away to his apartment, and didn't show up again until later that evening."

Senna's surprising defense

That crash was a distant memory by 1992, as Senna unexpectedly claimed his fifth Monaco Grand Prix victory.

The British driver Nigel Mansell, in a dominant Williams-Renault car that started on pole, clocked significantly faster lap times than Senna, though the Brazilian fended him off in the dramatic closing stages of the race.

"That's probably my favorite Monaco moment," Brown said. "Senna came out in front, and Mansell had the superior car, but he just couldn't get by him. There was about a five-lap shootout at the end, and it was pretty awesome."

Schumacher's shocking pole

The 2012 season marked Michael Schumacher's last in Formula 1. The legendary German driver had established himself as one of the sport's all-time greats, having won seven world championships, and he came out of retirement to drive for the Mercedes F1 team.

While he didn't gain any victories during his Mercedes stint, he earned a pole position at his final Monaco Grand Prix at 43. His masterful lap edged out the Australian Mark Webber by only eight-hundredths of a second. An unrelated penalty would ultimately force Schumacher to start the race from sixth position, but he still thoroughly enjoyed his final pole — a feather in the cap of an extraordinary career.

Ricciardo's redemption

In modern Formula 1, few drivers are as popular as Daniel Ricciardo.

In 2016, the affable Aussie saw his sizable lead at Monaco diminish when his pit crew botched a strategy call, leading to a lengthy pit stop that ultimately landed Ricciardo a runner-up finish to Lewis Hamilton.

Two years later, Ricciardo earned his redemption , converting pole position to victory. He celebrated afterward with an epic belly flop into a pool.

The storyline served as a pivotal moment in season one of "Drive to Survive," the Netflix docuseries that would bolster Formula 1's popularity in the US and help cement Ricciardo as a fan favorite.

Leclerc's hometown agony

In recent years, the hometown hero Charles Leclerc — one of the most famous athletes to hail from Monaco — has become a focus of the grand prix.

The Ferrari driver has yet to earn a podium at his home race, though he's been tantalizingly close to victory.

The worst heartbreak came in 2021. Despite earning pole position, a gearbox issue on the warm-up lap forced Leclerc to retire before the race even began.

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My first Monaco GP: An enchanting F1 weekend that needs evolution

MONACO — If I close my eyes, I can still hear it.

The Formula One engines firing up in the distance, and the roar that follows as each driver tears out of the garages and pit lane one by one. The sound echoing throughout the narrow streets of Monaco . You may not have been able to see the cars, but you knew the rush that was coming — anticipation building.

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Standing trackside during an F1 grand prix weekend heightens your senses, particularly at the Circuit de Monaco. The V6 engines may be quieter than their predecessors, but they scream through the tunnel, making one wonder just how loud V8s and V10s were at the beloved track . You can smell the rubber and see the color differentiation between tire marks and cars bottoming on the track surface, sending sparks flying. The cars zip past at one of the slowest tracks on F1 ’s calendar, followed by a slightly delayed air wake that whips one’s hair (especially at the exit of Casino Square). And when they come close to the barriers, like when Charles Leclerc went wider at the hairpin in FP2, it’s hard to resist the impulse to take a step back.

Life is filled with gratifying moments. It may be a big accomplishment, like Leclerc winning the Monaco GP and realizing a lifelong dream he shared with his father , or it can be something simple, like the perfect cup of coffee or nailing a work project. My first Monaco Grand Prix weekend was filled with both kinds of moments, showing me why this race should stay part of the F1 world.

Because Monaco is magical. But what makes it so great is also what makes it painful in the modern era. Changes need to be made in some capacity, whether it’s to the track, the weekend format or the calendar.

The glitz and glam

‘Golly bum, look at that’ was one of two phrases that ran through my mind each day I walked into Monaco. My grandfather often used the Southern saying as an expression of ‘wow,’ which was the other word that crossed my mind.

My colleague Luke Smith and I (along with numerous media members) stayed in Nice, France, the more affordable option for this race weekend . One of the main routes between the principality and the French city was along the coast, with the pristine Mediterranean Sea in full view for most of the ride. Boats of varying sizes filled each cove as we ​​zigged-zagged our way up and down the hills filled with hairpin turns.

But as you stand on the highest platform before you walk down the stairs towards the paddock, you’re met with a jam-packed harbor and older architecture dotting the hillside. Monaco is a haven and a playground for the rich and famous. While F1 only has one Monegasque on the grid, many drivers call this home, including Nico Hülkenberg, George Russell and Max Verstappen. You hear stories about the principality, but the photos don’t do the real deal justice, especially at night when the hillside and harbor are covered with lights or during the infamous grid walk.

Monaco (and F1, by extension) is the epitome of exclusivity. It costs thousands of dollars just to enter a yacht into the harbor, a price that doesn’t even include mooring the vessel ( try $22,000 for Thursday to Monday , at a minimum). Grid access is limited even for the media because of the influx of VIPs attending the glitzy race on the French Riviera, like Joe Jonas, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kylian Mbappé, Winnie Harlow and Heidi Klum.

Over the years, as I’ve watched and read about the Monaco GP, I knew that the track was tighter than other circuits, but seeing the confines dictated by the surrounding buildings was a different experience. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive a grid sticker for a few races during my time covering F1, and typically, you can walk from front to back with ease. Some races are crowded, like Miami, but Monaco gets congested quickly due to the lack of space. The temperature increases when the cars are brought to their grid slots, and rather than walking in a straight line from P1 to P20, you almost have to zig-zag between the cars while accounting for the number of people on the grid (and added security).

I abandoned the shade across from Leclerc’s spot and settled between Carlos Sainz and George Russell’s cars as more people crowded towards the front for the national anthem.

And though that specific stretch, which includes the start/finish line between Turns 19 and 1, is considered a straight with a DRS zone, it’s infinitely more curved than it appears on television. One of the biggest complaints about the Monaco GP is how boring the race can be due to the lack of on-track passes. The only real overtaking spot, exiting the tunnel after the longest full-throttle section of the lap, still requires a big pace advantage to make a move stick.

After seeing how the cars look on track when nearly side-by-side, it comes as little surprise that the races have become so processional in the modern era, drivers stifled by the lack of room to even consider an overtake.

The duality of Monaco

My grandfather loved cars, and was more into F1 than NASCAR because of the affluent automobiles and the speed. Monaco was his favorite.

The track layout requires precision, and I saw how the barriers take quite the beating when drivers are even a millimeter off, brushing the wall or worse. At the exit of Casino Square, for example, I saw an advertising banner ripped up run after run as the drivers grazed the barrier. And with how difficult overtaking is, drivers face the dilemma of going for a narrowing gap or falling into the parade-esque line.

Monaco GP track breakdown: The twists, history and challenge

During the practice sessions, I noticed that at certain portions of the track, like the exit of Casino Square and the Swimming Pool section, there is only one quick line to take. Otherwise, drivers lose time playing it safe. It’s not like the beginning sequence of the Shanghai International Circuit , where drivers can take multiple racing lines. But in Monaco, drivers can only take one line due to the track’s tightness.

Standing at the exit of Casino Square, you can see a difference between the drivers who are pushing more to the barrier than others who back off and create some distance – Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc are two who constantly pushed to the limits – but that choice and how much risk is taken can impact lap times, for better or worse.

It’s marginal gains — but it all adds up.

What makes Monaco so enchanting is the storied history of the track. The first race took place in 1929. It joined the F1 world championship calendar in 1950 and hasn’t left the slate since 1955, aside from the 2020 COVID-19-affected season when it was canceled. Legends like Ayrton Senna, known as the King of Monaco, Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher have raced through the streets where the locals do their grocery shopping or walk to school or work. Streets where people have lived and worked for centuries.

“I always feel when you look into the harbor, you look over this place and you think about the history, it just blows you away,” Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday. “I remember watching on TV as a kid, dreaming of going through that tunnel where Ayrton was. It is very, very surreal to think today that I’m one of the 20 to do it. Even though it’s been so many years, and I’ve been doing it for so long, I think I was really grateful for that moment this morning to feel that.”

Monaco is a test of precision and skill, requiring drivers to take risks. Qualifying is highly rated among the drivers as one of the favorite sessions of the year because of what it takes to nail a lap on the bumpy, twisty, narrow street circuit. It’s an adrenaline rush to watch, even as a spectator standing near the barrier during practice sessions as the 20 drivers whizz by.

However, the trackside walk made the challenge Monaco and F1 face more apparent. This location and the sport have become synonymous. While the current contract expires after 2025, it’s hard to imagine the pinnacle of motorsports leaving this principality nestled between the Alps and the French Riviera.

Monaco provides an aura unlike any other race. But given where the sport is heading, showing little sign of dramatically reducing the weight or size of the cars, it’s also one that increasingly has an issue with its racing product — especially since the vast majority of F1 fans will watch the race each year on TV rather than in person. Monaco can’t exactly expand the streets given how crowded the principality is, building after building pressed against each other with rare gaps between. F1 has evaluated potential answers to the track layout conundrum but has yet to find a viable solution.

The Monaco Grand Prix also is traditionally a one-stop race. Hamilton suggested potentially using “special tires” for this race weekend so more pit stops would be necessary, which would ideally help generate a variety of strategies. He added, “​​You’ve got the sprint things that they’ve added, but for this particular weekend, I think they should come up with some new formula for it rather than it just be the same. That’s just my opinion… Do you guys not fall asleep on Sunday watching the race? Yeah. So, creating something else somehow, I don’t know how you do it.”

Monaco is special and worth saving in some capacity, even if it is more of an all-star-esque race or part of a rotation of historical tracks. It’s captivating and thrilling, and though my grandfather died before I ever considered pursuing motorsports journalism as a career path, attending the Monaco GP allowed me to connect with him years later, walking up and down the streets he loved watching on TV and knowing how proud he’d be of me that I made it to a jewel in F1’s crown.

It was a welcomed reminder to myself of two reasons why I fell in love with motorsport: the history and the magic of risk versus reward that only Monaco can offer.

Top photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images

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Madeline Coleman is a Staff Writer for The Athletic covering Formula One. Prior to joining The Athletic, she served as a writer and editor on Sports Illustrated’s breaking and trending news team. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Follow Madeline on Twitter @ mwc13_3

Roberto Clemente’s Family Sued Over Allegedly Double-Selling Ballplayer’s Life Story Rights

Two producers who attempted to make a biopic about Roberto Clemente are now suing the baseball legend’s sons, alleging that the family twice sold the rights to Clemente’s life story.

Producers Jonah Hirsch and Angel Munoz announced plans in March 2023 to adapt the family-written biography, “Clemente: The True Legacy of an Undying Hero,” into a feature film. But after the announcement, the pair discovered that Thomas Tull, the former CEO of Legendary Pictures , was developing his own Clemente feature.

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The family did appear to be dissatisfied with Legendary. They voiced criticism that the company was using the Maraniss biography instead of the family’s version and felt that Legendary treated them poorly and “made lots of promises but never proceeded with development of a film,” according to the suit.

Nevertheless, Tull — who exited Legendary in 2017 — is still developing the project through his company, Teton Ridge.

Further discussions among the parties failed to resolve the cloud over the project. The Clemente family and its agent, CMG Worldwide, eventually agreed to refund the full $60,000 option price that Hirsch and Munoz had paid, according to the suit.

The producers contend they are still owed at least $5 million in damages for two years of wasted effort in trying to get the project off the ground, plus reputation damages and out-of-pocket expenses.

Hirsch has previously produced some low-budget films and two TV documentaries about Alcatraz. Munoz is an actor who appeared in several episodes of “General Hospital.”

In a statement, CMG said the lawsuit is without merit.

“CMG Worldwide denies all baseless allegations made by Inside the Park,” the company said. “Our only regret is engaging with ‘producers,’ likely boasting more lawsuits than successful films. We are eager to litigate these ludicrous claims and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to preserving the legacy of one of the greatest Hispanic icons of all time.”

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