'I watched F1 from a superyacht with millionaires – George Russell is right'

Bobbing on a tender boat in Monaco's harbour, I feel my heart thumping through my chest in anticipation. This is Monte Carlo, the Principality, the most famous F1 race on the calendar, and I’m standing metres away. There’s nothing quite like the Monaco Grand Prix, a circuit only the greats can master, dominated by the likes of Graham Hill, Ayrtron Senna and Michael Schumacher.

To say this is a dream come true is an understatement. F1 has been in my family since I was a kid, 20 years leading to this point. I’m lucky enough to have been to Silverstone, but this is different. The tender cruises up to the edge of our GoPrivilege superyacht, ‘Sea Breeze’, parked gracefully on the inside of the challenging turn 12 Tabac corner.

Rising up the steps, we drop down onto a terrace and my heart skips a beat as I look out onto the circuit as the noise of V6 engines wail into the air.

Seconds later, a flash of colour emerges into sight as Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton delicately feather their cars past the outside barrier and chuck it into the turn 13/14 chicane.

I’ve been to my fair share of motorsport events from F1 races to the Le Mans 24 Hour race, but this is almost as raw as it gets.

The boat is parked less than 5m from the side of the tarmac with the smell of running oil and rubber filling my nostrils.

I'm so transfixed with the spectacle that it takes me a while to realise my surroundings, this is a superyacht in Monaco and it’s everything you could imagine.

A buffet lunch is being delicately prepared by specialist chefs with light bites, meats and tasty desserts all on hand.

Inside, a complimentary bar is fully stocked with almost anything you can ask for. Celebratory Champagne? Of course. Fancy a fruity cocktail? You got it.

The deck is graced with a large flat-screen TV making it perfect to replay anything you didn’t see in front of your eyes.

Admittedly, this was easily a couple of minutes behind the real thing which could be frustrating for those wanting to follow every play-by-play move but this didn't feel like a loss.

Upstairs, another fully stocked bar, a DJ, and stunning panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea.

A quick look around the deck and it's clear this boat is stacked with some serious players as I spot a mix of reality TV stars and millionaire business owners.

The boat is just one of several spots fans can pick from with GoPrivilege also offering viewing from the famous Fairmont Hotel and the balcony from the Yoshi restaurant at Hotel Metropole.

After Sunday's Grand Prix, Mercedes driver George Russell claimed that 95% of the fans attending “don’t come to watch the race”. From my first-hand experience, that is not far off from being an accurate representation.

I was likely the only one on deck who watched every minute of F1 practice without deviating to the drinks cabinet or the sanctuary of the top deck.

It quickly emerged the majority of those on the boat were casual F1 fans at best, with some even experiencing their first-ever taste of a motorsport event! What an introduction!

Go Privilege plays into this and makes sure both sides are catered for. If anything this mix only adds to the experience. During F1 sessions, the speakers are turned down a notch, allowing the die-hard fans to enjoy the visceral bliss of screaming engines.

However, when on-track action is over, the ability to grab a drink and chat with people from all walks of life was a massive sell. Striking up conversations with the families of two business owners, one from the UK and one from the USA, was one of my highlights of the weekend.

Both families had one partner more interested in racing than the other, but the great food, amazing drinks and breathtaking atmosphere means everyone is having a party regardless.

On Friday, fans can get on a Go Privilege yacht for £1,000 with prices rising to £3,500 for Sunday’s race.

However, for many F1 fans, the idea of going to Monaco is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Something in the same conversation as an African safari or climbing the Grand Canyon.

With grandstand tickets still selling for up to £800, the extra flair and magic of the boat for a little bit more is difficult to resist.