The Real Cost Of Travelling The World, Following The F1 Circus

Formula One is one of the world’s few truly global sports. The 2016 F1 calendar started in Australia and will end in Abu Dhabi having crisscrossed Europe, North and South America in the process, giving 21 venues a glimpse of the world class racing talents of Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, et al.

That poses a particular problem for fans of the fast-paced world of Formula One. While it’s great to see racers test their skills on the planet’s best venues, how do you soak up the atmosphere for yourself? What if, in an ideal world, you could go to EVERY race? How much would it cost to join the travelling Formula One circus?

A 100,000 mile odyssey

A few years ago, Formula One journalist Joe Saward took up the challenge of putting a cost on his globetrotting exploits.

He wrote a blog that came to some very interesting conclusions. He estimated that the circuit at the time (which has since been expanded) took in 108,000 miles of travelling – including flights to the far flung destinations and road trips across Europe.

He estimated: “If one flies around in Business Class and stays in good hotels, your costs may be as high as $200,000 a year. Hotel prices at Grands Prix are hiked disgracefully, with five- and even seven-night minimum stays and prices that can go off the clock in places like Monaco. Even in Korea, one can find rooms for as much as $1,000 a night.”

However, what if your tastes are a little less expensive and, say, you can cope with economy flights and budget hotels?

Saward added: “A season of F1 can be done for about $32,000, flying in Economy and not staying in nice hotels. A more comfortable figure is about $40,000, once again without anything fancy.”

Fan maps out dream trip

Fan Terrance Seto also took up the challenge of mapping out a round-the-world Formula One dream. The blogger, based in the Bay Area of San Francisco, offers a detailed breakdown of the accommodation, food, flights and tickets for a full season feasting on Formula One action.

Again, his analysis needs a little updating, but it comes to the conclusion that the cost would be about $77,000, roughly £57,000. If nothing else, this serves as a good starting point for a fan and fits between Saward’s two extremes.

Create your own atmosphere

As we’ve seen, it’s expensive. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up. Even if the thought of a 100,000-mile trek and thousands of pounds fills you with dread then you can get creative and find another way to get your fix of the action.

Online retailer AO has produced a guide (click here to have a look) in which it estimates the cost of throwing your own party themed around big spectator events such as the Formula One grand prix.

As it points out, treating yourself to a 55in 4k television, HD set top box and the ingredients of a great barbecue for your friends would still only set you back about half of the potential cost of attending a grand prix in this country alone. Then, of course, you could repeat the whole thing again for another race without much of the up front cost.

And the coverage is pretty impressive these days too. Since Sky has muscled in on the action it has attempted to raise the bar. The broadcaster quickly snapped up a dream team of Damon Hill, Martin Brundle and Johnny Herbert and gave the sport its own dedicated channel.

Functions such as the touch-screen 'SkyPad' analysis from within the paddock and the extra viewing options of 'F1 Race Control' helped it pick up awards for its coverage and gives the viewer greater access than it could dream of trackside. It now plans to continue its coverage until 2024.

Mix and match

Following Formula One racers around the world is a dream scenario that is unlikely to come true for any fans. The amount of time and money involved makes it prohibitive.

However, the perfect compromise would be to pick one race to attend in person – maybe built into your summer holiday abroad – backed up with the ultimate Formula One set up at home for every other race on the calendar. That way you can soak up the coverage in style and make it a social event with your friends and family.

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