More than seventy per cent of the 2026 Formula 1 grid has settled in a single two-square-kilometre principality on the French Riviera. According to a new residency breakdown, Monaco’s driver count has risen from 15 to 16, a shift attributed less to logistics than to romance.
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The list includes reigning champion Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc — the grid’s only Monegasque passport holder — and Max Verstappen, who took up residence the day he turned 18. Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Oscar Piastri and several rookies complete a roster that has made Fontvieille the sport’s unofficial paddock annexe.
The Newest Arrival: Lance Stroll
The most notable addition is Lance Stroll, whose family has long favoured Swiss and British bases for privacy and tax efficiency. Reports suggest his move followed a relationship with Israeli model and actress Yael Shelbia, drawing the Canadian into Monaco’s tightly knit F1 community.
Why Some Drivers Stay Away
Not every driver has followed the trend. French nationals Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon and Isack Hadjar remain outside Monaco entirely, since a 1963 tax treaty keeps French citizens liable for tax at home regardless of residence. Gasly favours Milan, Ocon lives in Geneva, while Sergio Pérez has never left Guadalajara.
Kimi Antonelli, meanwhile, has quietly opted for tax-friendly San Marino — a choice insiders call the grid’s most financially astute.
▶ Watch the full breakdown, including exclusive detail on every driver’s address, in our video report below and subscribe to The Motion Report for weekly Formula 1 lifestyle and business coverage.
Formula 1, F1 2026, Monaco, F1 Drivers, Lance Stroll, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, F1 Lifestyle
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