Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso was recently seen driving one of the rarest road-going performance cars ever built through the streets of Monaco during the winter break between Formula 1 seasons.
Video of the appearance spread quickly across social media, showing Alonso behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, a car that has become one of the most exclusive homologation specials of the modern era. Fans gathered along the streets of Monte Carlo, while online reactions highlighted both the rarity of the car and Alonso’s reputation for owning distinctive road machines.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR was developed in the late 1990s by Mercedes-AMG as a purpose-built race car for the FIA GT Championship. It debuted in competition in 1997 and returned the following season, also taking part in the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans. To meet homologation requirements, Mercedes produced a limited number of road-legal versions, transforming the race car into an extreme street machine.
Power comes from a V12 engine producing 622 horsepower and 539 pound-feet of torque. Performance figures remain impressive even by modern standards, with a claimed top speed of 199 mph and a 0-to-62 mph time of just 3.8 seconds.
Alonso driving his Mercedes CLK GTR in Monaco
byu/Joseki100 informula1
Production of the road-going CLK GTR was extremely limited. Only 28 examples were built in total, including two prototypes, 20 coupés, and six roadsters. Alonso’s car is understood to be one of the 20 coupé versions, placing it among the rarest street-legal Mercedes vehicles ever produced. Various estimates value the model between $4 million and $10 million, depending on specification and condition.
Alonso’s appearance in Monaco comes after he finished the 2025 Formula 1 season 10th in the drivers’ standings with 56 points. He outscored his Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll by 23 points. Alonso remains under contract with the Silverstone-based team through the end of 2026.
The team is set to begin a new chapter next season with Honda as its engine partner. Technical leadership is also evolving, with Adrian Newey joining in 2025 as managing technical partner and scheduled to take on the role of team principal in 2026.
While Alonso’s on-track future continues to develop, his off-track choice of cars once again placed him at the center of attention in one of motorsport’s most iconic settings.
Shawn Henry