The Monaco Grand Prix regularly attracts an impressive number of superyachts to the docks of Port Hercule. Over the past several days, all eyes couldn’t help but go straight to the yacht Stella Maris, though. She’s drawing attention as much for what’s on her helideck—and parked, literally, off her beach club—as for her lines themselves.
The 236-footer (72-meter) is the stage for a supercar and racecar display. A gleaming-green Koenigsegg Jesko perches atop her helipad—painstakingly placed there with the assistance of a crane, and her crew’s cooperation. Meanwhile, an Audi Revolut Formula 1 car is on the swim platform, facing the sea as if it’s ready to race. Complementing them is a sculpture of a Formula 1 racer, by French artist Antoine Dufilho.
Increasingly, superyachts at the Monaco Grand Prix are becoming sought after for advertising collaborations and hospitality spaces. The 11-year-old yacht Stella Maris, from VSY (Viareggio Superyachts), is well suited to both. Her helideck, for instance, is an integral, sculptural part of her design, intended to be prominent. Additionally, from day one, she has had versatile relaxation and entertainment spaces that adapt to different seasons. All guest areas inside and out are capacious, too. Stella Maris has upwards of 2,100 gross tons of interior volume, significant for her length. Taken together, these lend themselves well to having both a supercar and a racecar onboard, with neither the cars nor the yacht seeming out of place.
Tom Claeren, founder of Ultimate Superyacht, has made these types of collaboration more visible in recent years. He’s especially known for brand activations at races in Abu Dhabi and Monaco. During the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, for example, Claeren had a Bugatti Chiron loaded onto the aft deck of the 171-foot (52-meter) Seven Sins.
The multi-car display aboard the much larger yacht Stella Maris clearly takes the display concept up a few notches. It’s a sign that yachts aren’t just the best seats in the house for some high-profile events anymore. In fact, they are every bit a part of the event.
Speaking of which, Stella Maris is hosting an after-race party tonight—arranged by Ultimate Superyacht, naturally.
Ultimate Superyacht ultimatesuperyacht.com
More About the Yacht Stella Maris
LOA: 236’7” (72.1 meters)
Beam: 41’4” (12.6 meters)
Draft: 12’1” (3.7 meters)
Guests: 14 in 7 staterooms
Engines: 2/2,682-hp Caterpillars
Range: 5,500 nautical miles at 10 knots
Builder: VSY
Stylist: Espen Øino International
Naval Architect: Laurent Giles Naval Architects
Interior Designer: Michela Reverberi
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