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Tag: Formula 1

Icons of F1: online auction of rare collectibles to start on 1 March
Events, Sports Business

Icons of F1: online auction of rare collectibles to start on 1 March

A new “Icons of F1” online auction will begin on 1 March featuring some extremely rare Formula 1 collectables and more than 50 items celebrating 15 world champions. Organised by F1 Authentics, the official online F1 memorabilia store, the auction includes a pair of signed Ferrari race boots from seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher; a 1994 replica of three-time world champion Ayrton Senna’s Williams race suit; a trophy belonging to two-time world champion Jim Clark; as well as race-used bodywork and vintage photographs signed by a selection of F1 legends from over the decades.  Philip Danglidis, commercial director at The Memento Group, operator of F1 Authentics, said: “This is one of our most prestigious and exciting auctions to date on F1 Authentics, with some of the rares...
F1 Saudi Arabian GP will be ‘biggest sports event in country’s history’
Events, Sports Travel

F1 Saudi Arabian GP will be ‘biggest sports event in country’s history’

Formula 1 will be heading to Saudi Arabia after it was confirmed that Jeddah will host a grand prix in November 2021.  The city on the Red Sea will be home to the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and take place at night on a street circuit on Jeddah’s corniche. Chase Carey, chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said: “Saudi Arabia is a country that is rapidly becoming a hub for sports and entertainment with many major events taking place there in recent years and we are very pleased that Formula 1 will be racing there from next season.  “The region is hugely important to us and with 70% of the population of Saudi being under 30 we are excited about the potential to reach new fans and bring our existing fans around the world exciting racing from an incredible and historic loc...
F1 Portuguese Grand Prix: motorsport fans get revved up for Algarve race
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F1 Portuguese Grand Prix: motorsport fans get revved up for Algarve race

Motorsport fans could witness history at the next Formula 1 grand prix when it descends on the beautiful southern shoreline of the Algarve later this month.  Having equalled Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 F1 victories by winning the Eifel GP at the Nürburgring, Lewis Hamilton could go one better with a win in Portugal and write a new chapter in the sport.  For that reason motorsport fans will be even more eager to say “I was there” if indeed Hamilton takes the checkered flag on 25 October.   This year the 2020 Portuguese GP takes place over 66 laps of the 4.684-kilometre Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.  João Fernandes, president of Algarve Tourism, said: “Formula 1 has been absent from Portugal for 24 years and it is a prestigious int...
F1 2020 GP calendar: 17 race dates and circuits are confirmed
Events, Guides

F1 2020 GP calendar: 17 race dates and circuits are confirmed

Formula 1 and the FIA have confirmed the dates and circuits for the 17-race 2020 season.  Turkey returns to the F1 schedule with a grand prix in Istanbul on 15 November and there’s a double header in Bahrain before the season concludes in Abu Dhabi on 13 December.  A statement from Formula 1 said: “We can confirm that Turkey, Bahrain [hosting two races], and Abu Dhabi will be part of the revised season and want to express our thanks to the hard work of all our promoters and partners in making this 17-race season possible.  “Sadly, we will not be racing in China this season and want to thank our partner Juss Sports for their support and engagement in recent months and hugely look forward to returning to Shanghai next year.” The shorter season also sees grands pri...
Chase Carey is ‘confident’ the F1 2020 season will start in Austria on 5 July 
Events, Sports Business

Chase Carey is ‘confident’ the F1 2020 season will start in Austria on 5 July 

Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey has announced that the F1 2020 season is scheduled to start with the Austrian Grand Prix in July.  It has been confirmed the French GP will not go ahead - the tenth race to be cancelled or postponed - and plans are in place for the championship to begin in Austria from 3-5 July.  In a statement F1 boss Carey said: “Although it was announced that the French Grand Prix will not be going ahead, we are now increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer.  “We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and beginning of September, with the first race taking place in Austria on 3-5 July weekend.  “September, October and November, would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the G...
F1 working on revised 2020 calendar as Canadian GP is ninth race to be called off
Events, Sports Business

F1 working on revised 2020 calendar as Canadian GP is ninth race to be called off

Formula 1 is working with race promoters on a revised calendar for the 2020 season following the postponement of the Canadian GP.    The race in Montreal, which was planned for 14 June, is the ninth grand prix to be postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus. It's planned that Canada will now take place later in the year and race organisers said: “This postponement was not a decision that was taken lightly or easily. “Over the past month, we have been in constant communication with Formula 1 and representatives from the city of Montréal, Tourism Montreal and both provincial and federal governments.  “We have heard the directives issued by public health officials and as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic are following the expert guidance provided by the authorities.  “Our tho...
Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto: 2020 F1 season may be extended with races in January
Sports Business

Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto: 2020 F1 season may be extended with races in January

Mattia Binotto, the team principal of Scuderia Ferrari, says the 2020 F1 season could be extended into next year with races taking place in January.  The opening eight grands prix of this year have been called off due to the coronavirus pandemic and as things stand the next scheduled race on the 2020 championship calendar is the Canadian GP on 14 June in Montreal. However, Canada is also under threat of being postponed or cancelled. Last week Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey issued a statement saying “when the situation improves, we’ll be ready to race” and it’s hoped that the 2020 calendar could feature between 15 and 18 races. Carey said: “While at present no-one can be certain of exactly when the situation will improve, it will improve and when it does, we will be ready to go racing again. ...
Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey writes open letter to F1 fans over 2020 season concerns
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Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey writes open letter to F1 fans over 2020 season concerns

Following the postponements of the grands prix in Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam and China, there’s major uncertainty over the Formula 1 2020 schedule.   F1 CEO Chase Carey has written an open letter to fans to provide some thoughts and perspectives in addressing the coronavirus pandemic.  Carey said: “First and foremost, our priority is the health and safety of the fans, teams, and organisations of Formula 1, as well as wider society. We apologise to those fans affected by the cancellation in Australia, as well as the postponement of the other races to date.  “These decisions are being made by Formula 1, the FIA, and our local promoters in rapidly changing and evolving circumstances, but we believe they are the right and necessary ones. We also want to extend our thoughts to those a...
Coronavirus: no Formula 1 fans will attend the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix
Sports Travel

Coronavirus: no Formula 1 fans will attend the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix

Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have confirmed that the Formula 1 event from 20-22 March 2020 will be held behind closed doors because of the coronavirus outbreak.  While the Chinese GP in April was postponed, the Bahrain race, the second on the 2020 F1 calendar, will be open for participants only and will be televised.   In a statement published on Facebook, Bahrain GP officials said: “In consultation with our international partners and the Kingdom’s national health Taskforce, Bahrain has made the decision to hold this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix as a participants-only event.  “As an F1 host nation, balancing the welfare of supporters and race goers is a tremendous responsibility. Given the continued spread of Covid-19 globally, convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public...
Four million grand prix fans attend Formula 1 races in 2019
Sports Business, Sports Travel

Four million grand prix fans attend Formula 1 races in 2019

Formula 1 has announced that 4,164,948 spectators attended at least one of the 21 grands prix during the 2019 season.   According to data supplied by race promoters, 2019 had a +1.75% attendance increase compared to the previous season, despite the Saturday cancellation of the Japanese Grand Prix due to Typhoon Hagibis.  Adding to this total the 80,118 F1 Paddock Club ticket holders (+7.15% compared to 2018), the average attendance per race was 202,146 (+1.85%).  Three GPs had an attendance of more than 300,000 spectators over a race weekend – Great Britain (351,000), Mexico (345,694) and Australia (324,100) – while a total of eight attracted crowds of more than 200,000, including Singapore and USA (268,000 each), Belgium (251,864), Hungary (230,000) and Austria (203,000).  Five circui...
Formula 1 2020 season calendar to feature 22 races
Events, Guides

Formula 1 2020 season calendar to feature 22 races

Formula 1 has revealed the draft calendar for the 2020 FIA F1 World Championship - and it will feature a record-breaking 22 races.  The 2020 season, which marks F1’s 70th anniversary, starts with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 15 March and finishes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 29 November. There’s no German Grand Prix on the schedule but F1 will go to two new destinations in 2020. The Vietnam Grand Prix will be held on the streets of Hanoi on 5 April then on 3 May the Dutch Grand Prix returns with the race at the Zandvoort circuit. Formula 1 2020 provisional calendar  15 March: Australia  22 March: Bahrain 5 April: Vietnam 19 April: China 3 May: Netherlands 10 May: Spain 24 May: Monaco 7 June: Azerbaijan 14 June: Canada 28 June: France ...
F1 Miami GP economic impact: $400m, 35,000 room nights and 4,000 new jobs
Events, Sports Travel

F1 Miami GP economic impact: $400m, 35,000 room nights and 4,000 new jobs

Formula 1 has announced that it has agreed in principle a deal with the Hard Rock Stadium to host the first-ever F1 Miami Grand Prix. Should it join the United States Grand Prix on the F1 calendar, it’s predicted that the F1 Miami GP could have an economic impact of more than $400m (£311.8m) and bring in 35,000 hotel room nights in South Florida.  The event would also create 4,000 new jobs, according to the organisers. F1.com reports that should the race be given the green light in a vote by the Miami-Dade County on 28 October, it would see Formula 1 return to the state of Florida for the first time since the 1959 United Stated Grand Prix at Sebring. Announcing the agreement, Hard Rock Stadium vice-chairman and CEO Tom Garfinkel and F1’s managing director commercial operations Sean Bra...
Grandstand Motor Sports release travel packages for the F1 Abu Dhabi GP
Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Grandstand Motor Sports release travel packages for the F1 Abu Dhabi GP

Grandstand Motor Sports is offering two standard travel packages for the 2019 F1 Abu Dhabi GP - the final race of the Formula 1 season. British driver Lewis Hamilton is on track to win a sixth career F1 world title and he will go head-to-head with Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, Ferrari duo Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday 1 December. Four-night package Grandstand Motor Sports’s standard four-night package includes return flights from London to Abu Dhabi International Airport with four nights staying at the Beach Rotana Hotel Abu Dhabi (on a B&B basis). This hotel has direct access to the shops and attractions of Abu Dhabi Mall which is adjacent to the hotel.  The package also includes transfers to Yas Marina Circ...
Singapore gears up for the 2019 Formula 1 Grand Prix festival
Events

Singapore gears up for the 2019 Formula 1 Grand Prix festival

Formula 1 fans are counting down the days until the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix - the motor sport’s popular night race. The 15th round of the 2019 F1 season will be held in the Southeast Asian city-state from 20-22 September, with practice on the Friday, qualifying on the Saturday and the grand prix on the Sunday (1.10pm start UK time).  On-track action at the Marina Bay Street Circuit will see five-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton go head-to-head with Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel.  Meanwhile, off the track the hotels, bars, clubs and tourist attractions are preparing for the ten-day Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS), which starts on 13 September.  Exclusive VIP parties, virtual reality race-theme...
F1 Abu Dhabi GP 2019: The Killers and Travis Scott headline after-race concerts
Events

F1 Abu Dhabi GP 2019: The Killers and Travis Scott headline after-race concerts

It has been announced that the 2019 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concerts will feature The Killers and Travis Scott as two of the headline acts. Du Arena on Yas Island will host the Yasalam concerts with hip-hop star Scott headlining on Friday 29 November and stadium rockers The Killers on Sunday 1 December.  The F1 Abu Dhabi GP is the final race on the 2019 calendar and previous winners include Lewis Hamilton (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018) and Sebastian Vettel (2009, 2010, 2013). Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “We are delighted to announce The Killers will play the headline show on Sunday night at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concerts.  “With their huge collection of global anthems, massive fan appeal, and incredible live performances,...
Blog: Lewis Hamilton was right – the 2019 F1 British GP scheduling was bad
Events, Sports Business

Blog: Lewis Hamilton was right – the 2019 F1 British GP scheduling was bad

Sunday 14 July 2019 will go down as one of the greatest days in British sporting history. England won the Cricket World Cup in memorable fashion against New Zealand at Lord’s, Novak Djokovic came through a five-set epic against Roger Federer at Wimbledon and the European Tour’s Scottish Open title was secured by Austrian golfer Bernd Wiesberger.   Also on the agenda was the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone - a major UK sporting event that arguably took a back seat to the dramatic cricket and Wimbledon finals.  More than 140,000 fans attended the 2019 British GP but for world champion Lewis Hamilton he felt that this year’s scheduling of the race denied sports fans the chance to embrace F1’s biggest race because of the TV competition with the cricket and tennis.  Speaking ahe...
Schumacher’s Ferrari F2002 car is up for auction at F1 Abu Dhabi GP
Events

Schumacher’s Ferrari F2002 car is up for auction at F1 Abu Dhabi GP

Formula 1 fans attending the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will get the chance to bid for Michael Schumacher’s 2002 title-winning Ferrari F2002 when it goes up for auction.  Potential buyers must have deep pockets though as the Ferrari F2002 is estimated to be sold for between US$5.5m and US$7.5m. The car, chassis no.219, is the headline lot for the Abu Dhabi GP auction which is hosted by RM Sotheby’s in partnership with Formula 1.  Also going under the hammer is a restored 1990 Ferrari F40 signed by four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel. The F40 has an estimate of between US$1.5m and US$1.75m. Earlier this year at the Bahrain GP, RM Sotheby’s and the Formula 1 Group announced their partnership.  Golden era The Ferrari F2002, chassis no.219, saw F1 legend Schumacher to vic...

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