There are few things in life as exciting and rewarding as enjoying your own little slice of heaven on your own superyacht, and there are few events in the annual sporting calendar as exciting and as iconic as the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix 2024, which this year took place 24 to 26 May.
Put the two together, and you have one of the most extraordinary and exclusive yachting lifestyle experiences.
Meros Yachtsharing, whose unique co-ownership programmes are revolutionising not only the yacht fractional ownership segment but also the elevated lifestyle aspects that Meros owners can enjoy, was at Monaco for the 2024 race weekend with a programme designed to give its Flexshare co-owners the ultimate yachting and sporting experience.
Owners were treated to a packed programme revolving around both the racing and the glamour of the location, for which Meros had secured a trackside berth for its bespoke Sunseeker Meros Signature 95 Blue Infinity One, part of the Meros Flexshare fleet to which co-owners have access. The yachting scene at the Monaco Grand Prix has become legendary, both for the most spectacular seats in the house – watching the action trackside from your own aft deck – to the onboard party scene that attracts the good and the great, the famous, and often the drivers themselves.
As Co-owner Heidi remarked to the Meros team, “Thank you for the most amazing weekend! We’ve loved every minute.” It’s a sentiment that was echoed by Claire, another Co-owner in attendance, as well as others on board.
“It’s hard to describe just how good the weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix was – it was on another level,” says Richard, another Meros Flexshare Co-owner. “Despite the craziness of Monaco the organisation was perfect and everything ran like clockwork, a brilliant feat. We have done some incredible things over the years but this was absolutely up there. We are still buzzing now. The whole team was outstanding and really made us feel part of the Meros family.”
“If you want the ultimate example of what the yachting lifestyle offers, the Monaco Grand Prix is up there as one of the best,” enthuses Georg Oehme, Managing Director of Meros Yachtsharing. “Having one of our Flexshare yachts moored trackside in the heart of the racing and social action is a perfect illustration of what our Flexshare owners get to experience – we built a complete three-day programme around the Grand Prix, incorporating all the build-up sessions, support races, qualifying and the F1 Grand Prix itself, but of course extended to include exclusive dinners, parties, paddock access, and helicopter transfers in and out of Monaco.”
Experience luxury with Meros Flexshare
The programme proves a taste of what Meros Flexshare owners can expect beyond the hassle-free, turn-up-and-cruise turnkey aspect of shared ownership. With shares starting at €1.25 million for a 28-metre Meros Signature 95 from Sunseeker, Flexshare owners not only get access to a spectacular yacht but also to the peace of mind that comes with a professional, dedicated crew, and full management of the yacht, crew, maintenance and other elements by the highly experienced Meros Yachtsharing team. Combined with the ultimate in cruising luxury is also the opportunity to join the ultimate in lifestyle events and benefits thanks to Meros concierge.
Meros concierge is on hand to assist with anything a Flexshare owner needs, but in addition it curates an exciting schedule of social events throughout the year for Flexshare co-owners. These events not only open the door to the social side of the superyacht lifestyle, but also present the opportunity for Meros Flexshare owners to meet, socialise and network with like-minded co-owners and interesting people from the wider yachting community.
In addition, the Meros proposition offers unrivalled opportunities not only for clients themselves, but also for brokers to become partners. It’s a platform that offers multifaceted benefits within the industry, giving brokers and other industry companies a gateway to offering heightened client experiences, while also affording brokers’ clients the chance to sample the exceptional world of superyachting in a straightforward and low-risk way while wrapping them in everything the yachting lifestyle has to offer. This in turn confers long-term benefits both for brokers and for the industry, allowing prospective owners the chance to experience the best of superyachting from the start of their journey into ownership, and encouraging a lifelong love of yachts and the sea.
As broker Matthew Stanton of Stanton Land and Sea says: “As a small business owner in the highly competitive world of yachting, the client is – and will always remain – key. Naturally we, as brokers, become very protective of them. Using the Meros team and their multifaceted business ensures these clients receive the experience, service and passion I strive to deliver. I always receive unrivalled feedback from the guests who attend any Meros event.”
Special weekend in Monaco
For the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix – coming hot on the heels of the Cannes Film Festival, for which the Meros team were also able to offer extensive concierge services including access to the exclusive after-parties – the programme started Friday 24 May with Flexshare co-owners arriving to their exclusive hotel in Cannes before enjoying a heli or tender transfer Monaco to join Blue Infinity One in time for the Formula 3 qualifying. A full day on board watching all the action from F3, F2, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and the first Formula 1 practice session was followed by a Sunseeker meet-and-greet, cocktail party on the Netjets balcony – who are also a partner of Meros Yachtsharing, with preferential rates for Flexshare owners – and dinner in Cannes.
Day 2 included action from all formulas, with Blue Infinity One’s berth providing a spectacular spot to enjoy Charles Leclerc securing F1 pole at his home grand prix, as well as co-owners having the chance to visit the paddock. The day ended with a party with a DJ on board, dinner at the trendy Beefbar, and drinks on board Blue Infinity One as the Formula 1 port party atmosphere kicked into overdrive.
Day 3 provided Flexshare co-owners with a highlight of the event – the F1 Grand Prix itself, complete with opening lap drama, the extraordinary spectacle of the world’s best drivers pushing their machinery to the very limit from restart to chequered flag on the streets of Monaco, and home hero Charles Leclerc securing his first victory here after failing to convert two previous poles into wins. With the Monegasque crowd cheering him round every lap over the closing stages, it made for an unbelievable atmosphere that no one on board Blue Infinity One will forget.
“Every year, I’m reminded why Meros is such a unique way to enjoy time on the water,” said Esteban Ocon, BWT Alpine F1 driver, brand ambassador and keen Meros member. “Meeting other members and seeing the yacht showcased in Monaco always feels special. There’s a strong sense of community and mutual respect for what we can achieve together, a feeling that echoes my world in F1. Meros offers incredible experiences typically reserved for the few, opening them up to those with a genuine love or interest in yachting and motorsport. I couldn’t be happier to continue our journey together this season.”
Adds Oehme: “It was a spectacular weekend in the company of our co-owners and with our perfect position to enjoy the racing on the track. This is just a taste of what our Flexshare owners get to enjoy each year, above and beyond the turn-key, hassle-free cruising experience that comes with access to the Flexshare fleet across the Med and Middle East. It’s why Meros Yachtsharing is not just another co-ownership programme – we are actively innovating, and we are revolutionising this growing sector of the market by giving our clients not just the superyacht experience they want, but the elite lifestyle experiences that are associated with superyacht ownership.”
