Due to the success of Netflix’s “just a bit overdramatic” however very enjoyable to observe Drive to Survive, F1 has exploded in recognition, with venues promoting out months prematurely, widespread media protection, elevated celeb attendance, and bidding wars for broadcasting rights.
All these elements mixed imply touring to F1 races has change into a little bit of a aggressive sport. Regardless of this, there are methods to maximise your time at a race and see a brand new nook of the world!
So, in case your dream is to observe a System 1 race stay, we’ve obtained all the things it’s worthwhile to learn about F1 journey.
What Is System 1?
For the uninitiated, System 1 is Motorsport, or moderately, automobile racing. System 1 automobiles are designed to particular guidelines and price thousands and thousands of {dollars} to construct, run, and restore. System 1 automobiles race round non-linear tracks at speeds between 90 to 340 kilometers per hour. There are ten completely different groups, every with two automobiles for a complete of 20 drivers on the ‘grid.’
Completely different tracks require several types of tires or downforce (managing wind towards the automobile to assist with pace, turning, and so on.), and every automobile is its personal entity, as are the drivers. The F1 World Championship as we all know it right this moment has been operating uninterrupted since 1950.
A typical weekend begins on a Friday with two apply periods, every an hour lengthy. Then, Saturday sees yet one more apply session and the qualifying session for the Sunday Grand Prix. Qualifying has three completely different periods, with 5 drivers eradicated from every one till ten stay, and the order to begin the race is ready, together with the very coveted first place or Pole Place. Sunday is the massive occasion, with the precise race going down.
Different occasions occurring throughout these weekends could embrace F1 Academy (a brand new feminine driver collection), System 3 and a pair of (hopeful F1 drivers), Porsche Supercup racing, and concert events throughout the weekend. In the previous few years, F1 has additionally launched the Dash format, which features a 100km dash-style race on Saturdays, which carries factors for the World Championship as nicely.
F1 hosts 23 races worldwide, with the majority being held in Europe, although the US is an up-and-coming location as System 1 continues to penetrate the US market. Six of those races embrace a Dash race. Every race has the drivers competing for factors to win both the motive force’s championship (private glory) or the constructor’s championship (crew glory and, most significantly, prize cash to construct subsequent season’s automobile). Generally a crew and driver win each with ease the newest being Crimson Bull Racing and their star driver Max Verstappen.
Easy methods to Attend an F1 Race
With 23 races worldwide, you might have many choices to observe a race. So how are you going to maximize your time in a location whereas touring earlier than or after and nonetheless watch the race?
Fortunately, a number of the finest and most inexpensive races are in areas that help you discover close by areas simply. The races within the United States are by far the most costly, so for the reason that bulk of essentially the most inexpensive races are in Europe, we’ll begin there.
There are a number of methods to buy tickets, whether or not from the Formula 1 site itself (you may also see the yearly race calendar right here with dates), every race observe’s particular person websites (our most popular methodology), or from Third-party distributors. Learn extra about buying F1 Tickets here.
Prime 5 Greatest Cities to Watch A Race and Maximize F1 Journey
With so many various races worldwide, there are lots of choices for watching a race, however some cities provide a bit greater than others. Let’s take a look at what we consider are the 5 finest cities to observe a race AND journey round!
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Yas Marina Circuit
Abu Dhabi might be the most costly of the races within the Center East (Bahrain, Qatar, Jeddah), with main lodge chain costs skyrocketing, although smaller price range accommodations and Airbnb’s can actually be discovered for inexpensive costs.
Nevertheless, Abu Dhabi can be the final race of the season, which suggests it may be crucial, even a title decider. 2021 was a tremendous ultimate race between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to determine the Driver’s Championship on the final nook of the final lap. The climate is ideal to be outdoor, because it’s at all times held on the finish of November or early December!
The observe in Abu Dhabi is situated on Yas Island, a few 10-minute Uber journey from the airport. There are a number of accommodations on the island to remain at (e book nicely prematurely!), however a lot to do!
Yas Island boasts Warner Brothers World, an indoor theme park devoted to all issues Warner from Gotham Metropolis, Bedrock, and Looney Tunes. Proper subsequent to the observe are Yas Mall and Ferrari World, residence to the world’s quickest curler coaster! Additionally, water parks similar to Yas Waterworld and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. We suggest shopping for a go or combined tickets when you’re visiting multiple park.
For extra tradition, on Saadiyat Island, you possibly can go to the very inexpensive Louvre Abu Dhabi, which has works and artifacts from all through historical past and shared items between the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay. Saadiyat can even embrace, sooner or later, a Guggenheim and a Pure Historical past Museum.
Lastly, you’d be remiss to not see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It’s the largest mosque on the planet that non-Muslims can go to and probably the most beautiful buildings to see in individual. It’s free to go to, although there are strict gown code necessities.
If that wasn’t sufficient and also you need a bit extra, you possibly can at all times head right down to Dubai (about 45 minutes by automobile/taxi), the place you possibly can see the Burj Khalifa, the tallest constructing on the planet, go to the Palm Dubai with expansive accommodations just like the Atlantis, and attend a brunch of no matter type fits your fancy!
Associated learn: Top Things to do in Abu Dhabi
Budapest, Hungary: The Hungaroring
In comparison with many Western European cities, Budapest provides a full F1 journey weekend for a rather more inexpensive value. Actually, the Hungaroring is commonly the least expensive race on the complete calendar. On high of all that, Budapest has loads of historical past and lovely structure (like its Parliament) to see and offer you that true European really feel. Budapest additionally has a beautiful social scene when you’re searching for an evening out.
The Hungaoring at all times provides nice races for F1 followers and novices alike. It’s a quick 24km from downtown, although taking a cab is really helpful. As this race at all times falls throughout the summer time, you often have some good climate (although rain isn’t unusual). The circuit itself is moderately quick (a bit over 4 km) with many corners, making overtaking troublesome. Technique, teamwork, and studying the climate circumstances are key to successful in Hungary.
From Budapest, you might have aplenty of journey alternatives! Bratislava, Vienna, and Zagreb are all only a few hours’ practice journey away. You may enterprise a bit additional as nicely and make your option to Poland and Germany or head south to Romania and Serbia. No matter your desire, you’ll find one thing or someplace to maximise your enjoyment.
Associated learn: How to Spend a Weekend in Budapest
Amsterdam, Netherlands: Circuit Zandvoort
This race at Zandvoort takes place about 45 minutes exterior of Amsterdam and is without doubt one of the extra simply accessible races, as you possibly can attain it in about 45 minutes by public practice.
Zandvoort isn’t often thought-about one of many extra thrilling races on the circuit, however the climate can play havoc with the race and make it extra entertaining than F1 races. Zandvoort is a quick circuit, additionally quick, with fairly a couple of curves that take a look at the drivers’ skill to take the automobile round high-speed corners. The proximity to the ocean additionally means you need to deal with the wind and probably rain at Zandvoort (the 2023 race was an absolute deluge!), which provides to the problem.
Being close to Amsterdam means you might have a lot to do! Amsterdam has one thing for everybody, from museums and historical past. There are museums just like the Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Anne Frank Home (reserve in advance!).
Nightlife is discovered aplenty (Amsterdam is fairly well-known for this), and day trips abound. You may bike all around the Netherlands (together with to Zandvoort itself – a most popular methodology of arrival). Utrecht is a stunning metropolis and a college city; very very like Amsterdam however much less touristy and solely about an hour away, as are The Hague and Rotterdam. A bit additional, you possibly can enterprise into northern Germany to Cologne for schnitzel and the beautiful cathedral or head south into Belgium for a number of the world’s finest beer, fries, and waffles.
Associated learn: 3 Days in Amsterdam: What Not to Miss
Singapore: Marina Bay Avenue Circuit
Singapore is a road circuit, which means town modifies itself to accommodate the high-speed chase of 20 System 1 automobiles throughout town. Being a road circuit means, nevertheless, that you needn’t journey far to observe the occasions.
The Singapore Grand Prix was the primary evening race within the F1 calendar and has been a staple since 2008. One in all, if not the hardest, races on the calendar because of Singapore’s humidity and the observe’s low-speed corners, Singapore requires a fine-tuned mixture of race tempo, crew technique, bodily endurance, and most focus. It’s not unusual for the Singapore GP to take the utmost allotted time of two hours to finish.
Singapore is a superb metropolis for having fun with a race and having fun with a spot! Singapore provides among the finest meals scenes on the planet, with influences from all the encompassing areas. And whereas Singapore might be very costly ($70-100 for a meal for 2 with drinks at a restaurant), the perfect meals on the native (hawker) stalls could be very inexpensive (and higher!).
Singapore has a implausible and inexpensive public transportation system, which makes getting round extremely straightforward. You may as well go to Gardens by the Bay, which is completely beautiful in its design, and the indoor gardens are one thing to behold! If you wish to dish out a couple of extra {dollars} and ball out, keep on the Marina Bay Sands Lodge, which is located proper subsequent to a part of the observe.
Due to its location, Singapore is a superb jumping-off level to journey in Southeast Asia! Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand are all simply quick (suppose not more than 2-3 hours flight) away. You may discover seashores, museums, temples, and a lot extra, all whereas flying via Changi Airport, which is constantly ranked as among the finest, if not often the perfect, airports on the planet!
Associated learn: Exploring Singapore: What you Need to Know
Mexico Metropolis, Mexico: Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Maybe the most inexpensive race within the Americas, Mexico Metropolis, is at all times fascinating as a result of altitude challenges that drivers and groups face. The excessive altitude in Mexico Metropolis slows automobiles down significantly, so it’s not a race you possibly can win on race tempo and downforce alone.
The town itself provides a lot to do! You may take time to see Tenochtitlan and the traditional Aztec Pyramids, go to Mexico Metropolis’s markets similar to Central de Abastos, or go to close by cities like Xochimilco or Zacatecas. No matter the place you go, indulge your self on the numerous flavors of Mexican delicacies (it’s so rather more than simply tacos and burritos)!
Relying on the date of the race, you can additionally plan to remain in Mexico for the ever-vibrant Día de los Muertos and expertise probably the most significant occasions in Mexican tradition. Set your sights on some Lucha Libre and watch the Luchadores of their eccentric masks interact in over-the-top wrestling!
Venturing barely additional away from town, you possibly can head over to Jalisco, residence of the agave plant and thus…tequila! There are various completely different varieties, together with loads of tequila you don’t simply shoot or combine however sip like a nice wine or whisky!
Mexico additionally provides wonderful seashores (suppose Zihuatanejo, Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, and extra) so that you can relaxation and loosen up earlier than or after a race. With its all-inclusive resorts, you possibly can pay to your keep and eat, drink, and tan till you’ve had your fill! When you enterprise out past the resorts within the Yucatán Peninsula, you may also go to Chichen Itza, residence to the traditional Mayans, and the Xcaret Archaeological Park close to Playa del Carmen.
Mexico Metropolis is a superb jumping-off level for another journey alternatives! The town is a brief flight from quite a few locations on the West Coast of the US, similar to Los Angeles or Las Vegas. You might additionally fly to Bogotá (4-5 hours) and discover all of the Colombia has to supply in its great mountains. Or you can head to Central America, like Panama or Costa Rica, the place you possibly can soak up loads of seashores and jungles!
Remaining Ideas
Whether or not you’re a seasoned fan, a beginner Drive to Survive provoke, or only a informal observer, System 1 races are entertaining spectacles. Additionally they take pleasure in being hosted in a slew of nice cities around the globe. We’ve given you what we consider to be the perfect 5 cities to observe and journey to, however we suggest you discover additional and discover town and race that matches you finest!
