In a scene only Monaco could deliver, a rare 3.5 million euro McLaren Solus GT has been spotted hoisted aboard a 35 million euro superyacht in the Port of Monaco—just days before the city hosts the world’s most glamorous Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The limited-edition McLaren, one of just 25 ever produced, was craned onto the deck of the M/Y Sarastar in a stunt that turned heads even by Monaco’s high-octane standards. The sleek, single-seater Solus GT, which boasts a 5.2-litre V10 engine and more than 840 horsepower, is the closest thing to an F1 car one can legally drive off-track—assuming, of course, you have a few million to spare.
The hypercar’s arrival marks a new high in the now-annual tradition of blending superyachts and supercars during race week. Last year, a 2.5 million euro Bugatti was pulled off a similar stunt. This time, the Solus GT—with its jet-fighter-style canopy and 1,200kg of downforce—was centre stage.
As for the yacht, the M/Y Sarastar, it’s no slouch either. Sold for 35 million euros in 2022, it’s available for weekly charters at around 348,000 dollars. A fraction of the purchase price, if you’re trying to justify the cost.
The Monaco Grand Prix remains the ultimate showcase for the ultra-wealthy. Yachts crowd the harbour, each trying to outdo the other in size, design—or in this case, onboard horsepower. The harbour itself forms part of the street circuit backdrop, where spectators sip champagne from decks while watching the action unfold below.
It’s not just the visitors showing off. Monaco’s population includes many F1 drivers—Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris among them—who enjoy the tax perks and Riviera lifestyle. Roughly one in three of the principality’s 40,000 residents are millionaires.
As race day approaches, attention will shift back to the track. Ferrari fans are hoping for a repeat of last year, when local hero Charles Leclerc finally broke his home race curse with a win. Until then, the focus remains firmly on the spectacle, both on the tarmac—and on the water.
