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Monaco and Formula 1: Legend and celebrity

There are few tracks that let you get as close to the racing as Monaco.

This weekend Formula 1 comes to its symbolic home — Monaco.

Monaco is the most polarizing track of the season — some hate it, others love it, but no one is on the fence about it.

Many drivers revere it as the most historic Grand Prix of the year. The legends have accumulated many victories there: Senna, Schumacher and Hill have all displayed their dominance at Monaco.

Some. however, complain it has become too dangerous and refuse to get emotionally attached to it. “Driving at Monaco means nothing to me, I don’t feel anything about the history,” said Vitaly Petrov. Yet one driver that could share Petrov’s opinion after a horrific crash during last year’s Monaco Grand Prix, Sergio Perez has another opinion. “This Grand Prix is the most special one for me. I have been waiting to race in the Monaco GP all my life and, of course, after what happened last year I am looking forward to it even more.”

No matter what your opinion is about Monaco it will be an exciting weekend. So far in five F1 season races we have had five different winners from five different teams.

Spectators are equally divided in opinion about this Grand Prix. Some say it is too boring; indeed it has the least amount of passing out of any of the races of the year.

But saying Monaco is boring takes it out of context. Sure it may not be too exciting to watch on the television, but in person there are few tracks that let you get as close to the racing as Monaco.

Equally exciting are the racing events that take place in the days leading up to the Formula 1 Grand Prix. You get 3 other race car series on the track: GP2, Formula Renault 3.5, and Porsche Supercup.

Circuit of the Americas would do well to look into adopting a similar schedule to attract as many out of town visitors as possible. Having the extra divisions means there is hardly a dull moment between Thursday and Sunday.

Anyone who has either watched the onboard cameras, or raced the track virtually on a simulator or in a video game can attest to the track’s technicalities. It has legendary corners that are unmatched, it is extremely narrow, and the elevation changes all come together to make Monaco one of, if not the most demanding track in the world. It is considered one of the three Triple Crown events in motor sports along with the Indy 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Additionally Monaco is arguably the pinnacle of the glitz and glamour that is Formula 1, being down the highway/coast depending on your preferred form of Mediterranean travel, from Cannes. Just following the film festival, there are few other Grand Prix races that attract as many celebrities as Monaco does.

The Grand Prix is hosted by the royal family of Monaco and as such along with the celebrities, much of Europe’s high society also gravitates towards this event. Many of these A-listers choose to come with their yacht from which they watch the racing, as the cars race along the harbor. This creates a rather impressive backdrop to the race as the harbor is lined with the world’s biggest and most beautiful yachts.

No matter what your opinion is about Monaco it will be an exciting weekend. So far in five F1 season races we have had five different winners from five different teams. There will be seven past Monaco Grand Prix winners on the grid, which makes it nearly impossible to tell for sure who will come out on top.

None of the cars show a dominant advantage coming into this Grand Prix. With six previous world champions wanting to show that they are still contenders for the title, along with many eager podium holders wanting to clinch their first title in a season which will reward consistency, and Pirelli tires that Schumacher describes as driving on “raw eggs” we are sure to see an exciting weekend from the first practice session until the chequered flag drops.

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Women's sports pub with Title IX inspiration acquires space near UT Austin

Photo courtesy of 1972

The new sports bar focuses on women's sports but welcomes fans of all kinds.

A pioneering bar celebrating women's sports has officially settled on a location in Austin. The idea was announced about a year ago, when it was called ATX Women's Sports Pub, but it now bears the more metaphorical name 1972, referring to the year Title IX started protecting women's rights in federally funded schools.

The new location is at 2530 Guadalupe St., the former home of Moody’s Kitchen and Bar. Moody's announced it was closing the same day that it handed over the keys, according to KXAN. The 1972 team expects it to be open "just in time" for March Madness, which starts March 16.

Old Moody's Kitchen and Bar location UT students probably know this space.Photo courtesy of 1972

Renovations are still underway, according to an email from a spokesperson. Once they're done, the team will be testing out menu options by culinary director Allison Hugunin, who worked as a chef for the extravagant mini-golf bar The Dirdie Birdie.

Debra Hallum and Marlene du Plessis are co-founders, drawing largely on du Plessis' sports background. Growing up in South Africa, she played field hockey, rugby, ran, cycled, and has competed in half-marathons and triathlons. In Austin, she has also worked as a high school campus director.

1972 ATX Women's Sports Pub patio founders Debra Hallum and Marlene du Plessis Marlene du Plessis (left) and Debra Hallum (right) signing the papers to acquire the space.Photo courtesy of 1972

The name 1972 is fitting because this pub will be near the University of Texas campus, and pledges to welcome all sports fans: women, men, LGBTQ+ community members, and allies. It's keeping "ATX Women's Sports Pub" as a tagline to clarify the numbers.

“We’re building more than a pub — we’re creating a space where every fan can feel seen, celebrated, and part of the action,” said cofounder Marlene du Plessis in a press release. “From die-hard sports lovers to casual spectators, 1972 is here for you.”

Title IX was not only about sports, but many of its most important impacts have been in athletics. Put simply, the law prohibits sex discrimination in general and has since been applied to sports in many more specific ways. The legislation was thrust back into headlines in the beginning of this month — just days after the 1972 bar team signed sale papers — as President Donald Trump's administration announced it would revert its Title IX enforcement to rules created in his first term, in 2020.

Much like the legislation, this concept has a lot to do with sports, but athletics isn't the only sphere it operates in; du Plessis is inspired by how sports can build confidence and leadership. Most important to the duo is how sports can bring people together despite differences in background, race, sexual orientation, or religion.

1972 ATX Women's Sports Pub patio founders Debra Hallum and Marlene du Plessis The cofounders in their new space.Photo courtesy of 1972

“At 1972, we’re not just building a pub — we’re building a movement," said Hallum in the release. "This is a space where women’s sports take center stage, and every fan, regardless of gender or identity, feels at home. Our goal is to celebrate the achievements of women athletes and foster a community where inclusion, equity, and the love of the game thrive.”

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