With just under 450,000 people attending the 2023 Australian Grand Prix over the weekend, have you ever wondered what it would be like to not have to worry about walking to find drinks and the bathroom and not having to sit in the confines? Crowded of a gap on the fence?
We wanted to give you an idea of what the F1 experience would be like when cost didn’t matter and you wanted the best seat in the house.
Arrive there
Most people will take public transit or park near the track and walk in. Spend enough money and you can be taken by helicopter from the airport or from the city to an oval next to the track. Prices aren’t too high either (especially in light of the recent customer-picking sport that taxis are involved in), starting at around $250 one way from the city.
These transitions also give you a great view of the track as you head in.
With enough connectivity, you can also park at the track – but the downside to this is the incredibly long queues to leave when everything is done and dusty, with all the exits packed Walker.
One of the most prestigious and convenient places to get in and out is the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge. It is located at turn 10 and is attached to an existing structure with direct access to Queens Road. That means when you’re done, you can board your own vehicle and leave before any crowds hit the streets.
Company facilities
So you’re on the track, what happens now? You’ll want to splash some cash on an invite-only corporate facility.
We had the opportunity to tour the Porsche Pavilion, Casa Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge and Formula One Paddock Club. There are many other corporate facilities around this place but these are the ones we were invited to check out.
Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge
So, I mentioned before that the Star Lounge has its own private entrance – something you won’t find at the company’s other properties.
The Star Lounge is invite-only, and those invited to purchase tickets will pay thousands of dollars to get in. Access also depends on the date of your purchase (and this applies to the rest of the company’s locations) with some being there only on Fridays, while others will purchase access for the entire event.
As you’d expect, that access gives you unlimited food and drink, along with access to that site-specific restroom.
Depending on when you attend, you may also be able to meet and greet with a number of Mercedes-Benz celebrities, including drivers.
It is also said to be one of the best spots on the action line. Turn 10 is a fun spot to watch cars go by, and the Star Lounge features both an outdoor seating area and an air-conditioned interior with a large TV and sound system.
Outside, you’ll find some new Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models to admire between races.
Food is also served with 400 Gradi operating an on-site pizza oven – you get the freshest and best pizza at Formula One.
Get in early and you’ll also be able to score points on the pit and paddock tour with transfers in a buggy to the invite-only section of the track.
Casa Ferrari
Ferrari’s three-story structure sits directly in front, adjacent to the pit exit, and is for an indoor/outdoor vibe with an uninterrupted atmosphere.
Casa Ferrari is also invite-only with weekend tickets costing thousands of dollars. Guests are led through a priority entrance at Gate 1 before being picked up at the door.
Once inside, you’ll enjoy a weekend of unlimited food and drinks, the Aperol Spritz being the cocktail of choice to keep you cool when the sun comes out.
Each level has a different vibe with the rooftop being the main viewing spot.
An outdoor area has a stack of couches and lounges to relax in when the sun comes out. The highlight of our visit was the gelato and mini pizza.
Ferrari also uses this event to introduce new cars Ferrari Super Caravailable for guests to view and sit inside during the weekend.
Like the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, Ferrari brings drivers here on weekends.
Porsche booth
Unlike Casa Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, the Porsche Pavilion is intended for both Porsche customers and those without a Porsche in the driveway.
This year’s tickets sold out within 48 hours, with tickets for the entire event running into the thousands of dollars.
At the entrance of the booth, Porsche parked the only 992nd Porsche 911 GT3 RS in the country so that visitors could drop in and walk around.
Porsche’s booth has grown in size this year. It’s 20 percent bigger than last year and like the others includes unlimited drinks and food.
Inside you’ll find a large screen to watch the race, while the outdoor area includes overhead seating for turn one and turn two – it’s a great place to watch the action at the start or (multiple) race restarts.
Keep an eye out for Mark Webber and Porsche Carrera Cup drivers. Mark frequents the Porsche Pavilion for Q&A sessions, while drivers are seen stopping before their races.
Porsche has also activated EVs in the area free of charge to anyone with a general admission ticket. It provides a virtual natural passage through a dark air-conditioned room leading to an open space with a Porsche Taycan display.
Paddock Club Formula One
If you can’t secure an invitation to one of the company’s branded facilities, Formula 1 has its own premium paid facility.
For around $6000 for an entire weekend, the Paddock Club gives you unlimited drinks and food Friday through Sunday. You can also assign your day pass to someone else if required, meaning someone can replace you if you can’t make it.
The Paddock Club is located right next to the Formula 1 paddock with a partial view of the pit area and straight ahead.
Inside the club is a large bar area with DJs, big screens and commentary throughout the weekend. You’ll also discover an area that records F1 coverage with drivers frequently going in and out of that area.
While buying a ticket on the weekend doesn’t give you access to the actual Formula 1 paddock, you can organize a guided tour of the paddock area. This gives you temporary access to walk across the paddock and see detailed information about the group’s activity.
On these tours, you’re almost guaranteed to spot any number of drivers or group owners as they move between their bunker garages and hotel areas.
