14/04/2005
NEWS STORY
Circuits may come and circuits may go, but Monaco remains the jewel in Formula One's glittering crown.
Although many of the residents of the tiny principality dread that time of the year when the F1 'circus' arrives, turning their haven upside down and forcing many of them to leave town - letting out their homes at extortionate rents to teams, sponsors and celebrities - the head of the principality, Prince Rainier, who passed away last week, never wavered in his support for the event, fully aware that it helped put Monaco on the map.
Speaking in tribute to Rainier, who is buried on Friday, F1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, told AFP: "He was a loyal supporter of Formula 1.
"He did everything that he could and notably supported all the safety changes to the circuit."
There will be a three-month period of mourning, however the race will not be affected, though celebrations will be somewhat mooted, especially following the news that the husband of Princess Caroline, Prince Ernst August of Hanover, has been taken into intensive care with an acute illness of the pancreas.