The 2014 Formula One World Championship is a 19 race series that travels the world between March and November starting in Australia and ending in Abu Dhabi. The championship takes in races on the continents of Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Oceania so visiting a Formula One race offers a great opportunity to see and do things in far flung corners of the world. The big question is with 19 races where should you choose to go and watch the world’s top category of motorsport? Our favourite F1 races are detailed in the list below.
- Singapore Grand Prix
The 14th race of the 2014 Formula One World Championship offers a unique opportunity for fans of Formula One as the race weekend is held in the dark of night amid the financial centre of South East Asia’s most colourful and cosmopolitan cities. The greatest thing about seeing the Singapore Grand Prix is that as it is held at night time the schedule is in the day time for Europe and, as such, there is no problem with jetlag! There are many things to do in Singapore outside of the race weekend and two world renowned shopping malls, in the Marina Square and Sentosa Island, are within walking distance of the circuit offering a East Asian take on food, shopping and entertainment while the Como Shambhala Spa, famed for amazing relaxation treatments for mind and body, is also close by. Raffles Hotel, serving it’s world famous Singapore Sling drink, overlooks the race track as well and is usually thronged with an eclectic mix of worldwide and local F1 fans.
- Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco is the jewel in the crown of the Formula One calendar as it has, historically, attracted the world’s top stars of stage and screen to the small principality for race weekend. The Monte Carlo streets have held races around it’s closed in and tight streets since 1929 and it has been part of the F1 championship calendar since the inaugural year of 1950. The race itself is the most glamorous race on the tour of the world by the Formula One teams each year and is considered the equal of the Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans 24 Hour races in global importance.
Despite Monaco being such a small place, there is so much to see and do on a race weekend, with the support races to the main event on Sunday racing from Thursday to Saturday to keep people interested in the on track action. Off track, you can visit some of the greatest places to gamble in Europe in the amazing Monte Carlo casinos, which host some of the best casino games in the world in some of the most extravagant settings with poker, blackjack and roulette games amongst countless other games offered. Elsewhere you can view the harbour with its collection of massive yachts moored over the race weekend or the Palais du Prince – the home of the reigning Grimaldi family since the late 1200s – as well as the numerous cafes, bars and clubs that dot the principality during your stay. It’s a long way from the online gaming rooms of sites like Butlers Bingo but it’s still just as fun!
- United States Grand Prix
After the lack of success that was generated between the years 2000 and 2007 when Formula One raced around Indianapolis it was expected that it would be a long time before F1 hit the USA again. That timeframe lasted five years as the Circuit of the Americas was built and ready to go in Austin, Texas for the 2012 season. The race has been much more successful thanks in part to its location near the Mexican border which sees thousands of supporters of Mexican driver Sergio Perez cross the border for the race to make it a massively multi-cultural party with the race having one of the best atmospheres of all 19 events on the calendar.
There are a number of other things to do in the city when you’re visiting for the race with seeing 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats migrate to the city and make their home under Congress Avenue Bridge is a favourite, while the usual museums and nightlife and astoundingly beautiful and numerous hiking and biking trails dotted around the city are all excellent to occupy your time. Don’t forget to sample the authentic Texan BBQ food while you’re in the city too!
While these three races may be personal favourites of ours, there is so much more to see around the world by following the F1 Championship, with the British Grand Prix offering a festival like atmosphere as people camp around the track to spend all weekend drinking, eating and watching the cars. The Japanese and Brazilian GPs in Suzuka and Sao Paulo also offer amazing locations, fans and some of the most fevered atmospheres on race day during Formula One’s worldwide touring extravaganza.
