Monaco Grand Prix - Grand Prix Drivers Call Monaco Home

F1 season has just kicked off, with only four races completed so far. F1 drivers have already put a lot of travel under their belts, with the circuit taking them to Australia, then Bahrain, on to Malaysian and finally Spain.

When they're not rushing off from city to city, an increasing number of F1 drivers are choosing Monaco as their home base.

Not long ago, Lewis Hamilton, a driver from Britain who took home the win in Autralia announced that he had decided to make a move to Switzerland. Why there? Many believe that it may be based on tax issues. Switzerland definitely is an excellent option for wealthy people. Hamilton claimed he was moving to Switzerland to get away from the excessive press attention in his native Britain. That kind of pressure can wear down even the most dedicated and focused people, it seems.

Still, Monaco is the top choice for most F1 Grand Prix veterans. Of note in the city is the Monte Carlo district, known for its prominent casino, luxurious hotels, and hot spots for well-to-do. With all that in mind, it's really no surprise that Monaco is so popular with these motor sports stars. A few notable names that call Monaco home:

* Jenson Button of Britain
* Nico Rosberg of Germany
* Alex Wurz, newly retired Austrian driver
* David Coulthard, British driver
* Brazilian Felipe Massa
* Giancarlo Fisichella, Italian driver

Monaco offers a place to relax and take a break from the pulse-pounding races, but still offers plenty of options when the drivers are ready to hit top speed in the thriving Monaco nightlife. On top of all that, the drivers don't even have to travel to get to Monaco's own Grand Prix, which is held on May 25th this year.

Monaco's Grand Prix is a key stop on the Grand Prix tour. The Monaco Grand Prix has a storied history since its first race in 1929. It is one of the three events that comprise the Triple Crown of Motorsport - the Indy 500 and the Le Mans 24 Hours are the other two. These events highlight the very best of the best in their tests of raw driving skill and endurance.

With all the globe-trotting that F1 drivers do, that so many choose to stay in Monaco is testament to the city's unique appeal. Offering stunning entertainment as well as laid-back relaxation - not to mention tax breaks - Monaco is a premier destination.

After last years grueling Grand Prix season, that brought participants all over the world in just seven months (from March to October), a post-circuit Monaco sabbatical must've seemed like the perfect remedy for stressed drivers.

Monaco is nothing if not a unique location. After the Vatican, Monaco stands as the smallest independent state in the world, with about 32,000 residents. The entire country is no bigger than the size of Central Park in New York City! Most Grand Prix drivers call the town of Fontvieille home, according to Johnny Herbert, a former British F1 driver. A fabricated harbor built in the 1970s makes Fontvieille valuable real estate, no doubt a tempting option for Grand Prix drivers.

The lure of Monaco's tax breaks may be what draws a lot of extremely wealthy Grand Prix stars to Monaco, but there is more to the story. Switzerland, the Bahamas, or even a private boat floating around the Caribbean would offer similar options. Monaco has something special that these other places just can't match.

Is it the special place that Monaco holds in the history of Grand Prix motorsports? No doubt many drivers are drawn to this place - racing is in their blood. While it's undeniable that these drivers have expensive tastes and the cash to support them, the history surely plays an important role in their decision to settle in Monaco. Many notable personalities of the Grand Prix's past left a legacy in Monaco.

Ayrton Senna, Jackie Stewart, Alain Proust - heroes of the sport with multiple victories under their belts made memories on the Monaco circuit. Jody Sheckter, Niki Lauda and the many others who claimed victory at Monaco are immortalized there. With so much history packed into this small country tucked between the Mediterranean and the Alps, it's little wonder why so many of today's F1 superstars choose Monaco as their home.