#MonacoGP - the best social media from Monte Carlo

Sunday's Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2017 provided plenty of thrills on track, but there was also no end of activity going on behind the scenes in the build-up to the race weekend. Here's our round-up of just a few of the highlights...

Champion dad

Looks like the reigning world champion already has his hands full, and now life is set to get even busier. Congratulations to Nico and Vivian on their happy news!

The ultimate busman's holiday?

When you spend your life running an F1 team, what do you do in your spare time? Contest the modern version of the Mille Miglia, the legendary Italian sportcar race, of course. Looks like Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and engineering chief Aldo Costa had a ball...

Remembering Nicky

*Ahead of Monaco came the sad news of Nicky Hayden's passing following a cycling accident in Italy. The American, a big race fan and a familiar face in the F1 paddock, was MotoGP world champion in 2006. Ferrari were just one of numerous teams and drivers to express their condolences. *

Locker room banter

As usual, F1 drivers were out in force for the traditional pre-Monaco charity football match against H.S.H. Prince Albert II's All Star team. Felipe Massa was captain and among his squad was Mick Schumacher, along with his father Michael's great F1 rival, Mika Hakkinen. For the record, the drivers lost 2-1.

Scrubs up well, doesn't he?

Renault's Nico Hulkenberg joined the glitterati as he took to the red carpet at the world-famous Cannes Film Festival.

Model driver

Hulkenberg wasn't the only one smartening up his act ahead of Monaco. Here Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat prepares for his appearance at the traditional Amber Lounge charity fashion show.

In the pink

With both team and charity sharing such a distinctive colour scheme, Force India's partnership with Breast Cancer Care was always going to be a natural match.

Lucky sevens

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas adopted a familiar Monte Carlo theme for his helmet in a bid to hit the Monaco jackpot.

Food fight

It's not just on the track that F1 teams are competitive - in Monaco it was in their catering too, as witnessed by this showdown between Mercedes and Toro Rosso.

Max on a moped

Ever wondered what the Monaco circuit looks like on a regular day, when it's bustling with normal traffic? Let Monte Carlo resident Max Verstappen be your guide...

Renault royalty

As the closest thing they have to a home race (until next year's French Grand Prix), Renault chose Monaco to start the party marking four decades since their first F1 entry.

The car's the star...

...but Lewis Hamilton is in it too. The three-time world champion continues to keep his options open for when he finally hangs up his F1 helmet.

Excited to be back working with Pixar on Cars 3! The film is action packed and mega. I can’t wait for you to see it guys! #Cars3 @Disney_UK pic.twitter.com/7RmnL7DAkW

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) May 25, 2017

Fan Friday

Tradition dictates there is no F1 track activity on Friday in Monaco (practice takes place on Thursday instead), but that does not mean the drivers weren't busy - all of them headed into the pit lane to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for selfies.

Max goes maritime

You saw him on a scooter earlier. Now it's Verstappen on the water. Monaco's streets may be crowded during the day, but there's no such problem if you head out into the harbour.

Smokin'

Want to sneak into the Monaco paddock unnoticed? Don't take lessons from Lewis Hamilton!

Banksy hits Monaco?

This fine piece of graffiti, featuring a twist on one of F1's most famous radio messages, mysteriously appeared on the Monte Carlo Armco.

Precision engineering

*Is this what Red Bull threatened Daniel and Max with if one of them of didn't make the Monaco podium? Lucky escape. *

Two-wheeled tifosi

As you would expect in Monte Carlo, Formula 1's oldest team attracted plenty of guests to its garage, including some very famous faces from the world of MotoGP.

Friends reunited

Three-time race winner Nico Rosberg came all the way from his Monaco apartment to say hi to his former team boss - no wonder Niki Lauda looks surprised.

Take that, Lewis

Unimpressed with Hamilton's tyre-smoking, superbike antics, Renault's Nico Hulkenberg assumes a more subtle approach for his own arrival in the paddock.

Conversing with the captain

The Sauber drivers got to talk soccer with a man who knows more than most about it - Radamel Falcao, AS Monaco player and captain of the national Colombian side.

'Nous n'avons pas le settings correct'

We all knew F1 teams make hybrid cars. Who knew their drivers could do the same with languages? Jolyon Palmer's French may not be exactly fluent, but you have to give him ten out of ten for effort.

Small consolation

*It may have been another fairly disastrous weekend for their F1 squad - capped by Fernando Alonso failing to finish the Indy 500 - but at least this young man gave McLaren something to smile about. *

Rubbing shoulders with royalty

Williams played host to Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco on Saturday - one photo opportunity Felipe Massa knew was too good to miss.

Gayle Force

Team boss Vijay Mallya is a big cricket fan, so no surprise to find this man in the Force India garage - West Indies player and former captain, Chris Gayle.

A different kind of Force

Renault and Star Wars chose to celebrate their 40th together in Monaco - 40 years since the French team's first F1 entry, and 40 years since the film's first appearance in movie theatres.

The McLaren massive

Among the guests at the Woking team were two men more used to high speeds on two wheels - and one lady who displayed some pretty mean racecraft at the wheel in 'Herbie: Fully Loaded' (remember that one?)

Chilling with the champions

Meanwhile at Mercedes, those sharing in the Monaco magic included X-Men and Westworld star James Marsden, Victoria's Secret Angel Adriana Lima, Spanish racer Carmen Jorda and supermodels Winnie Harlow and Bella Hadid.

Fernando's fan club

Sunday provided a feast for motorsport fans, with the Monaco Grand Prix followed by Fernando Alonso's Indy 500 appearance. It may have ultimately ended in heartbreak for the Spaniard, but he certainly had no shortage of support.

Shining stars

*The Starlight charity helps grants wishes to children fighting serious illnesses and some of them enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to Monaco this weekend. They also brightened Valtteri Bottas's day. *

The last word...

...goes to Toro Rosso with what might just be the strangest social media post of the weekend. Make what you will of 'the new' Carlos Sainz.