“You can’t always buy cool”: The Aussie entrepreneurs who’ve made the Monaco GP their private playground

Australian entrepreneurs Daryll Ooi and Josh Stowers are on the cusp of taking the Monaco Grand Prix by storm in 2026. Those attending get access to the race day, private parties, the A-list crowd and the superyacht: basically, everywhere but the podium.

The Monaco Grand Prix is a world unto itself. Considered the jewel of the Formula 1 calendar, it has represented a unique intersection of motorsport heritage and French Riviera luxury since the 1920s. “It’s the pinnacle of the sporting social calendar,” says YOURELINKED co-founder Daryll Ooi, who hosts high-end clientele in the city-state. “A true bucket-list event for many people.”

Monaco is synonymous with the late Ayrton Senna, who won the race six times between 1987 and 1993, and Michael Schumacher, who won five times en route to being considered the greatest Formula 1 driver in history. Charles Leclerc, once seen as an heir to Schumacher, is the current No. 1 at Ferrari and, in 2024, became the first Monégasque driver to win since Louis Chiron in 1931.

Australians have historically punched above their weight in the glitzy city-state, with the race being won by Jack Brabham (1959), Mark Webber (2010 and 2012), and Daniel Ricciardo (2018).

What made the Perth-born Ricciardo’s underdog victory particularly transcendent was that it came on the first season of Netflix’s Drive To Survive, a cultural touchstone of the last decade. “I don’t know how we did that, but we did it,” said Ricciardo as he crossed the line. Later, he famously plunged into the Monaco Harbour.

In 2026, Melbourne-born Oscar Piastri will be one of the favourites on the port-hugging track. It has little margin for error and plenty of idiosyncrasies: the Fairmont Hairpin is one of motorsport’s most iconic turns, requiring drivers to slow to under 50km/h to navigate. Monégasques watch from their centuries-old balconies, while an audience of 70 million people tunes in worldwide.

Each year, yachts are packed into Port Hercules. Berthing spots are coveted and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for the weekend, with guests watching the cars race past just a few feet away from the decks. Held in the heart of the European spring (June 5 to June 7), the race falls two weeks after the French Open begins and three weeks before Wimbledon. All eyes will be on Monaco.

French World Cup-winning footballer Kylian Mbappé and Louis Vuitton boss Bernard Arnault were trackside last year, alongside superstars Dua Lipa, Sofía Vergara and Naomi Campbell. Occasional astronaut and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos never misses a Monaco Grand Prix, and is a permanent fixture on the harbour.

“While many platforms sell proximity, very few are able to curate chemistry,” Ooi says. “We’re bringing our own values to the Monaco F1. We’re giving people an experience that previously, money couldn’t buy.”

Ooi shares a philosophy with his co-founder, Josh Stowers, ensuring that YOURELINKED’s parties bring together high-net-worth individuals, creatives, artists, and athletes in a way that works.

“Money doesn’t always buy you cool,” says Stowers, who is head of client relations. “And at the same time, famous people sometimes aren’t always cool, either. So, before we bring these two forces together, we conduct an independent assessment to vet both parties. We treat everyone the same, whether you’re an up–and-coming entrepreneur, a billionaire or a celebrity.”

The pair draw on this expertise from their globetrotting experiences hosting private events for celebrities in Australia and at Tomorrowland in Boom, Belgium, which is the biggest electronic music festival in Europe, and a world the pair were introduced to through a friendship with DJs Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike.

Such was their success that Ooi and Stowers rode their momentum all the way to the Monaco Grand Prix, believing their global experience would suit Formula 1’s clientele.

“When we handled our premium events in the past, we noticed there was a gap in the high-level celebrity vetting space,” says Stowers. “Over the past decade, we’ve somehow mastered how to bring everyone to the table together.”

YOURELINKED has also worked closely on private events with artists Central Cee, T-Pain, and Drake. UFC stars, including champions Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya, as well as Olympic gold medallist and three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee.

“It harks back to the old adage, quality over quantity,” says Stowers. “Each of our events must make sense and is all curated with the guiding principle of everyone feeling like it’s a safe space. We wanted to create spaces that were foundationally safe and comfortable, whether you’re a businessman, a celebrity, or attending for the first time.”

YOURELINKED will host guests aboard a 60-metre superyacht, outfitted with luxury amenities and attractions, providing a seamless transition from world-class sporting hospitality to an exclusive after-dark party with celebrity appearances and live performances from DJ Like Mike, Levi, and Tay James.

Major sponsors and partners, such as GAMDOM and world-renowned alcohol brands, are also participating.

“We have fashion brands, for example, like Calibre,” says Ooi. “Guests will enjoy curated tasting experiences hosted by our premium spirits partners, featuring vodka, tequila, whisky, gin, and sake. Throughout the weekend, world-class chefs will be catering onboard, delivering elevated culinary moments to complement the experience.”

The Ultimate Weekend Pass (valued at $20,000) offers comprehensive three-day access aboard the superyacht, including Zone 1 viewing from a multi-deck with extensive screens for race coverage, and private tender transfers from Port Fontvieille to Port Hercules. Single-day access and night party access packages are also available.

“It’s quite an experience for people who have never been out there,” says Ooi. “To jump onto something of this calibre or scale, it’s going to be stuck with you for the rest of your life.”

To learn more about Monaco Grand Prix packages or other premium YOURELINKED events, visit yourelinked.com.