.jpg)
Credit Suisse marked 12 years of its Classic Car Program by returning to the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique with its famous Drivers’ Club, now located alongside the harbor at Rascasse Corner. Throughout the weekend competing drivers and invited guests enjoyed this new location as they took the chance to relax between races.
7th Credit Suisse Historic Racing Forum
As is now tradition, the doors were opened on Friday to invited media for the 7th Historic Racing Forum, where Sir Stirling Moss and the Credit Suisse ambassadors Jochen Mass and Alain de Cadenet were joined by Emanuele Pirro and Ray Mallock to discuss the differences between racing for a factory team and a privateer outfit, chaired by Forum host Henry Hope-Frost.
Former F1 driver and five-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Emanuele Pirro started proceedings by explaining the financial and cultural differences between racing for works operations and privately run teams – all with his trademark Italian enthusiasm.
Three-time Monaco GP winner and British racing legend Sir Stirling Moss offered a fascinating insight into the way racing was run in the 1950s and why he relished success with low-budget squads in a range of different disciplines.
Alain de Cadenet, who built and raced his own sports prototypes, explained how he took on and mixed it with the grandee teams in the 1970s, before asking the audience if they preferred modern or historic racing – with a predictable outcome.
Veteran racer and RML team owner Ray Mallock, first-time guest of the Historic Racing Forum, brought immense knowledge to the panel, sharing tales of trying to reach Formula 1 on a shoestring, before embarking on team ownership and mastering the tricks involved in getting the most from the differing programs.
Grand Prix and Le Mans winner Jochen Mass took the audience on a journey to 1970s F1, in which he competed for front-running teams and back-of-the-grid operations.
A video of the 7th Historic Racing Forum will be available to view on the Credit Suisse media corner soon.
Sir Stirling Moss celebrating 60 years of his Monaco victory in a Maserati 250F in 1956 and 55 years since he won it in a Lotus 18 in 1961
Following the Forum the panelists stood for a photocall before the assembled media were invited to follow Sir Stirling Moss outside to the paddock, where the motorsport icon was reunited with his Monaco-winning Maserati 250F, 60 years to the day after his maiden Formula One win in the principality in 1956.
With the harbor and Credit Suisse Drivers’ Club providing a stunning backdrop, Sir Stirling recalled his famous victory in front of a spellbound audience.
“I spent three hours pushing as hard as I could, but 100 laps round here in this 250F was an absolute joy,” he told interviewer Henry Hope-Frost.
Sir Stirling later posed for photos with the Maserati and its owner, Graham Adelman, who was racing it in the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique.
On Saturday, May 14, Sir Stirling recalled his 1961 Monaco victory as he perched on the wheel of a Lotus 18, interviewed once again by Henry Hope-Frost, just outside the Credit Suisse Drivers’ Club. Bathed in Riviera sunshine, he recounted another famous win, and what the Lotus 18 was like to drive that day in 1961.
With the crowds jostling for the best viewing position, Sir Stirling wound back the clock to the day he trounced the three factory Sharknose Ferraris for what he feels was his greatest achievement in Formula One and explained how delighted he was to be back in Monaco to celebrate both wins on the exact date of their anniversaries.
Credit Suisse Photo Contest Grand Prix de Monaco Historique
Credit Suisse announced the return of its ever-popular Photo Contest at the event, encouraging ACM-accredited media to submit images from the 10th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique in the following categories:
- Action
- Inside the Paddock
- Credit Suisse Media Moments
Prizes will be given for the best image submitted for each of the Photo Contest categories at Monaco, with a trophy also being awarded to the overall winner. The deadline for entries is SUnday, June 12, 2016, and entries should be sent to photos(at)influenceassociates.com.
