At the Heart of Monaco’s Motorsport Ecosystem
The Principality of Monaco is universally recognized as the undisputed capital of motorsport. But for students enrolled in the MSc in Sports Business Management at the International University of Monaco, this prestigious ecosystem is far more than a glamorous backdrop, it is a dynamic, open-air classroom.
Embracing experiential learning as a core educational philosophy, our students do not simply study the sports industry through textbooks; they actively shape it on the ground. This year, our future professionals stepped out of the classroom and into the action, gaining unparalleled behind-the-scenes access.
Here is a look back at how IUM students made their mark across Monaco’s premier racing events, following the thrilling rhythm of the principality’s motorsport calendar.
Kicking Off the Season: The Rallye de Monte-Carlo
The motorsport year traditionally begins with the extreme and unpredictable conditions of the legendary Rallye de Monte-Carlo. Taking on the fast-paced world of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Mattia Ricciardi started the season strong by joining the Event Staff team.
Working directly with the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM), Mattia supported critical operational and logistics activities within the Fan Zone. Operating in a highly demanding international sports environment, this early-season experience allowed him to hone the rapid problem-solving and teamwork skills required to manage crowds and operations at a world-class level.
The Magic of Heritage: Grand Prix Historique
As spring arrived, the focus shifted from the mountain roads to the city streets, celebrating the legacy of racing during the iconic Grand Prix Historique. This event requires equally sharp organizational skills, blending high-end hospitality with fast-paced digital communication.
Chiara Costantini collaborated closely with the ACM as a Paddock Tour & Sponsor Liaison. Her role required a meticulous approach to event operations, guiding VIP guests through exclusive experiences and managing logistics at the Drivers’ Club to ensure a seamless experience for sponsors and historic racing drivers.
In the high-speed realm of sports communication, Emma Lesot joined the ACM’s Digital Media Team. Working behind the scenes of a major international broadcast during the final week of April, Emma filmed and edited live content for official social media platforms, experiencing firsthand the demanding, split-second decision-making required in live digital sports marketing.
Driving the Future: Formula E
Fast forward to May, and the streets of Monaco transformed once again, this time for the cutting-edge ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Here, IUM students were placed right at the intersection of technological innovation, community engagement, and event management.
Nathalie Falck, currently a Financial & Environmental Project Management Intern at the Citroën Racing Formula E Team, attended the highly exclusive panel “Redefining Motorsport: Sustainability, Innovation & Inclusion in Formula E.” Hearing directly from industry pioneers like Julia Pallé (Head of Sustainability) and Ellie Norman (CMO), Nathalie gained crucial insights into how sustainability is embedded into the very core of global sport operations. Her takeaway perfectly encapsulates the modern industry: the future of performance relies just as much on environmental responsibility and digital engagement as it does on engineering excellence.
Directly on the ground, Emma Roedel and Inès Parsy played crucial roles within the Formula E organizing team, managing the Community Tour and Paddock Tours. They were instrumental in bridging the gap between the motorsport world and the public. Emma and Inès hosted bilingual Q&A sessions alongside racing engineers to inspire the next generation, and guided local professionals through the most exclusive areas of the event, from the Media and Broadcast Centres to the high-stakes environment of the pit lane.
Women on Track: Redefining the Face of Motorsport
Looking at the incredible achievements of our students across this timeline, a powerful and inspiring trend is undeniable: the growing, highly impactful presence of women in motorsport.
The automotive and racing industries are undergoing a massive cultural transformation, and the female students of IUM are actively driving this change. These young professionals are proving that the future of motorsport is inclusive, diverse, and forward-thinking.
As Nathalie noted during her time at the Monaco Women Forum:
Transformation in sport is not only technical, it is human and cultural. The industry is actively creating pathways and giving talent the opportunity to compete on equal terms, both on the track and in the boardroom.
Nathalie Falck
Stepping Into the Future
These hands-on experiences prove what it takes to succeed in highly competitive sectors like motorsport: a proactive mindset, an eagerness to learn by doing, and making the most of the unique access that only the Monaco sports ecosystem can offer.
For the IUM community, watching our students seamlessly integrate into these high-pressure environments is deeply inspiring. It is a clear reminder that true education goes far beyond the classroom. By transforming Monaco’s premier sporting events into their personal training grounds, these future professionals are not only launching their careers, but also building the foundation of a strong, global network that will support them for years to come.
If you would like more information about our MSc in Sports Business Management program, please visit our website.
Feel free to also contact the Admissions Team directly at admissions@monaco
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