By any traditional measure, Monaco is a place of speed, legacy, and prestige. But every so often, it also becomes something quieter—and more powerful: a starting point.
In April 2026, during the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, one such starting point is planned. Not a spectacle for spectacle’s sake, but a deliberately designed moment meant to create lasting impact—financial, social, and human—stretching far beyond one weekend and three countries: Monaco, Dubai, and Bali.
At the center of this initiative is entrepreneur and philanthropist Mario Hintermayer, who resided in Monaco for 22 years, from 1998 to 2020—a period that reflects his deep personal ties to the Principality and the lasting impact he made on its community.
Through his work with MH Charity, Special Olympics, and his emerging philosophy of Donvesting, Hintermayer advances a clear conviction: that wealth achieves its highest purpose when it fuels freedom, creativity, and service to others.
Mario Hintermayer
Mario Hintermayer’s motivation is rooted less in ambition than in reflection.
“At some point I thought to myself: If I ever have a family, I don’t want my children to feel this kind of pressure so strongly,” he recalls.
That realization sharpened as responsibility grew; first professionally, then as an entrepreneur.
“The moment you put your signature on contracts, the desire for freedom becomes very concrete. I didn’t want to be rich to show off. I wanted to be free—to create, and later, to help others.”
That mindset now shapes a multi-year charitable architecture designed not around one-off donations, but around continuity.
Mario Hintermayer
Why the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Matters
The choice of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique (24–26 April 2026) is intentional. Unlike Formula 1 week—where schedules leave little room for reflection—the Historic GP offers space for conversation, culture, and cause.
The concept centers on a curated charity auction and invitation format woven discreetly into the weekend. A pre-event online awareness phase will build global visibility in advance, while the final bidding may take place either online or live in Monaco. The winning bidder will receive not only a rare artwork, but access to an exclusive Historic GP experience—hospitality, private previews, and proximity to Monaco’s living heritage.
The beneficiaries remain consistent and clear:
- Special Olympics Monaco
- A charity connected to H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco
This consistency allows the mission to travel across borders without losing focus.
Art as a Catalyst for Connection
Two exceptional works anchor the Monaco phase.
The FIRST is a 12-part stage artwork by Austrian artist Knud Tiroch, originally created in 2002 for a major Monaco charity gala under the patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II. The piece formed the backdrop to a symbolic moment when elite athletes honored Paralympic athletes—an embodiment of inclusion before the word became fashionable.
All proceeds from this acquisition will go directly to Special Olympics Monaco.
The SECOND work, held for a follow-up event, is equally singular:
“Mille Milliards de Mondes” (A Thousand Billion Worlds)—a panoramic Milky Way image by renowned astrophotographer Serge Brunier, produced with the European Southern Observatory and used as the official image of the GigaGalaxy Zoom Project. Signed by Buzz Aldrinand Prince Albert II, it is both scientific milestone and poetic reminder of shared humanity.
One artwork anchors Monaco. The other extends the journey.
Mario Hintermayer with the Olivier Sodeik, the President of Lions Club Monaco (2009)
The Wiesmann Roadster: A Rolling Symbol of Continuity
If there is a physical object that embodies this story, it is the one-off Wiesmann Roadster “Edition Special Olympics Monaco.”
Over the years, it became one of Monaco’s most photographed charity symbols, driven by figures ranging from Prince Albert II and Bernie Ecclestone to Felix Baumgartner, Brigitte Nielsen, and Timothy P. Shriver. Hintermayer later bought the car back, preserving it as a living emblem of the Special Olympics’ Monaco legacy.
In 2026, the Roadster is expected to return—not as nostalgia, but as continuity. A reminder that meaningful initiatives endure when they are stewarded, not consumed.
Mario Hintermayer with H.S.H. Prince Albert II and the Wiesmann Roadster
The Bridge: Dubai and Bali
Monaco is the anchor, not the endpoint.
Dubai has already proven itself as a second pillar. In 2018, a joint charity initiative linked to H.R.H. Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and H.S.H. Prince Albert II brought together humanitarian institutions, foundations, and international partners. Subsequent Ramadan charity initiatives reinforced a hands-on, community-focused approach—meals distributed, presence felt, dignity preserved.
Mario Hintermayer with H.S.H. Prince Albert II in Dubai
Bali represents the third dimension: implementation on the ground. Through Donvesting, Hintermayer’s model connects real asset projects—health, environment, and community, with built-in social contribution. Projects such as Spirit Hills Bali, Garden of Life, and Tree of Life are designed not as abstract philanthropy, but as sustainable ecosystems where investment and impact coexist.
The long-term vision is clear:
- Monaco as the symbolic and cultural anchor
- Dubai as the diplomatic and humanitarian connector
- Bali as the living laboratory of applied impact
Mario Hintermayer's development project in Bali
A New Kind of Circle
What emerges is not a tour, but a circle of relationships; one that evolves through repeated encounters, shared purpose, and trust built over time. Monaco in 2026 becomes the opening chapter. Dubai deepens the narrative. Bali grounds it in reality.
In an era where philanthropy often competes for attention, this initiative takes a different approach: fewer words, stronger symbols, longer horizons.
Because real impact, like freedom, is not a moment.
It is a structure—carefully built, consciously maintained, and meant to last.
Note:
Present article was written by Nancy Caburnay, contributor journalist.
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