First-class suites for Formula 1 enjoyable

I’m reclining on a sunshine-yellow couch, watching a pair enter the ultimate throes of a chess recreation earlier than flicking by a weighty tome analysing Lewis Hamilton’s biggest achievements. Then 3pm rolls round and the couple sprint to the terrace to observe the person himself race previous at 200mph.

The residing room-like House 44 suite, a collaboration between Lewis Hamilton, F1 and Soho House unveiled at Silverstone, is the most recent addition to the Paddock Club — the huge hospitality advanced that overlooks the beginning grid. In 2025 the suite will characteristic on the upcoming Netherlands, Italy, Mexico, Las Vegas and UAE grands prix.

“The House 44 suite is an amazing way of experiencing a Formula 1 race weekend,” says Lewis Hamilton. “Working closely with Soho House and F1, I wanted to design a space I’d choose for myself if I wasn’t on track.”

The House 44 suite is designed like a snug lounge

Even the drinks are Hamilton-themed. At the bar, clad with studded steel panels recalling the stripped-back bodywork of a Fifties grand prix automobile, there’s free-flowing Moët alongside cocktails made with Almave. Co-founded by Hamilton, it’s the world’s first non-alcoholic blue agave spirit model.

The House 44 format and dimension will differ barely relying on the observe, however the capability will keep between 100 and 200 individuals, making it smaller and extra intimate than most F1 Paddock Club suites. The total sense is of cosiness — it’s not a spot the place you must know your driveshaft out of your DRS. My favorite spot? Perched subsequent to the lengthy, rustic wood desk, watching the on-track motion on a display screen suspended above a sideboard topped with pot vegetation and a stack of books pinioned by a starfish-shaped paperweight. If I might design my dream lounge, this may simply be it.

Lewis Hamilton designed the house as he’d select for himself

Guests don’t want Soho House membership — only a minimal of $12,000 (about £8,900) for a three-day race weekend ticket. Added extras embody pit walks, paddock excursions and appearances from Sir Lewis.

house44atf1paddockclub.com

The better of the remaining

Twenty3 will host pop-ups from Michelin-starred cooks

MOONRISE STUDIO

Twenty3, Singapore

The Singapore GP’s Twenty3 is a multilevel trackside retreat well-known for its a number of vantage factors (you’ll discover it on the observe’s closing flip, which suggests unbeatable views of the beginning line and post-race fireworks) and leisure — in earlier years performers have included aerial silk acrobats and hearth poi spinners. But it’s the culinary choices that put it on the map. Highlights embody pop-ups from Michelin-starred cooks (on the GP in October sit-down eating places will embody one from the Seoul-based Soigné, which has two Michelin stars, and La Scène, a Paris bistro additionally with two stars). Meanwhile, pitstops for thirsty race followers will embody one from Barcelona’s Paradiso Bar, which bagged a spot within the high 10 of the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024. Finally, it’s price allowing for this can be a race the place these vantage factors are well worth the expense. The action-packed Singapore GP — F1’s first night-time race, wrapped across the spectacular Marina Bay — makes for a wide ranging backdrop.

From £4,760 for a three-day ticket, singaporegp.sg

The decor at Skybox is Rat Pack-inspired

HLYNUR HOLM

Skybox, Las Vegas

A enjoyable reality? The first Las Vegas GP passed off in 1981, when the vehicles raced across the parking zone of the Caesars Palace resort. There wasn’t one other Las Vegas GP till 2023, when F1’s velocity machines raced down the town’s neon-lit Strip. Perhaps unsurprisingly the hospitality choices are as extravagant because it will get, and the pricier choices embody the Gordon Ramsay at F1 Garage — with tickets ranging from £20,000. A extra reasonably priced (however equally opulent) choice for race weekend (in 2025 this will likely be November 20-22) is Skybox, with its Rat Pack-inspired decor (assume huge expanses of purple velvet and plenty of feathers). This hospitality suite, above the Heineken Silver Main Grandstand, provides beautiful views of the beginning line whereas visitors feast on gourmand delicacies and toast the race’s return to Vegas with cocktails ready by the town’s high mixologists. Tickets embody a Heineken Silver Main Grandstand seat along with suite entry. The suite’s proximity to the Heineken Silver Stage is an enormous draw — it’s the setting for driver appearances in addition to reside music.

From £6,530 for a three-day ticket, f1lasvegasgp.com

360 at Sixteen will likely be situated at flip 16 of Abu Dhabi’s GP

360 at Sixteen, Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’s 360 at Sixteen hospitality space, which is able to launch at this December’s occasion, could have a major place — it will likely be situated at flip 16, which suggests sensible views of the ending straight in addition to the circuit’s well-known chicane part. It will likely be a multilevel lounge with leafy areas and terraces overlooking the pitlane. Perks for visitors embody pit walks and complimentary entry to close by points of interest reminiscent of Warner Bros World Yas Island Abu Dhabi and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Guests will be capable of refuel at reside cooking stations and at meals vehicles, though it’s price nothing this will likely be one of many few hospitality packages that features solely gentle drinks — alcoholic drinks value further.

From £1,200 for a four-day ticket, abudhabigp.com

Atlassian Williams Racing’s suite within the F1 Paddock Club, launched at Silverstone, will journey to different grands prix

Atlassian Williams Racing’s F1 Paddock Club suite

House 44 wasn’t the one F1 Paddock Club suite unveiled at Silverstone — the Atlassian Williams Racing staff revealed its lovely suite on the British GP too. Created for visitors invited by the staff or its companions, it’s going to seem on the Singapore, Austin, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi GPs in 2025 (2026’s races are to be confirmed). Although precise layouts may differ, staples will embody a big central bar, an open-plan format and huge expanses of darkish oak and light-weight stone, and a central stage would be the setting for appearances by staff members, together with drivers. The vibe? Decadent however enjoyable — on the British Grand Prix there have been menu holders constructed from wheel nuts, and visitors can ask for his or her initials to be embroidered on to complimentary ticket wallets and baggage labels from Carl Friedrik (one of many staff’s sponsors). Marcus Prosser, the director of selling at Atlassian Williams Racing, believes this bespoke strategy is the best way ahead. “Today the F1 hospitality landscape is shifting from a one-size-fits-all to more meaningful, personalised experiences,” Prosser says.

Entry to the suite is by invitation solely