Monaco Grand Prix - A Photographic Portrait Of the World's Most Prestigious Motor Race

Author: Michael Hewett, Hardbound, 352 Pages, ISBN: 9781844254019, First Edition, April, 2007 - **Second-Hand book in excellent condition**

The many wonderful photographs in this book tell the unique story of the world's most famous Grand Prix. The tiny principality of Monaco inaugurated the race in 1929 to reinforce its standing as the most fashionable resort on the Mediterranean Sea.

Six months later, the Wall Street `crash' preceded the world's worst economic downturn, but the race endured. These days, Monaco has a global reputation for opulence. Many of the wealthiest Formula 1 drivers are among its 30,000 privileged residents.

Over the years, this mountainous street circuit has changed little. It remains immensely difficult. It offers sparse overtaking opportunity and its unforgiving barriers await all but the exceptional. Few have won here more than once. They include some of the greatest -Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

This is the race every driver most wants to win. The Monaco Grand Prix may be an anachronism in modern Formula 1, but it is a hugely popular one - the glossy highlight of every season, attracting the most media attention. The contrast between the baroque setting and the high-tech drama makes it by far the most photogenic.

Michael Hewett, a gifted British freelance photographer, has enjoyed a special relationship with the Monaco Grand Prix since he first set eyes on the principality as a teenager 45 years ago. Selecting images - mainly from his own photographs - for this glorious portfolio, he shares his love affair with the race.

Breathtaking views, personal anecdotes and race information add up to a feast of enjoyment for all motor sport enthusiasts.