Last updated January 2026
I’ve had the chance to do several paddock tours over the years, and each one has been memorable in its own way. If you’re thinking about booking a ticket package that includes paddock access, here’s what to expect and why it’s worth considering.
What to Expect in This Guide
• What is an F1 paddock tour and how does it work?
• Who is allowed inside the paddock during a Grand Prix weekend?
• When is the best time to take a paddock tour?
• What can you see and do during the tour?
• How much do paddock tours cost and what’s included?
• Is a paddock tour worth adding to your race weekend plans?
• Money-saving tips for paddock tours
Estimated Reading Time: 4-5 minutes
What it’s really like on an F1 Paddock Tour
Paddock tours take you behind the garages and into the working heart of Formula 1. You won’t go inside the team motorhomes, as those areas are normally off-limits, although on one occasion I did find myself in the Red Bull Energy Station.
You can expect to see familiar faces such as drivers, team staff, and TV presenters. You never quite know who might walk past. Early mornings or late in the day are often the best times to catch people arriving or heading out.
I’ve seen drivers heading into media briefings, team principals talking over coffee outside a motorhome, and mechanics rolling tyres between garages. I’ve done tours early in the morning at Mexico City and Silverstone, and later in the day at Imola. Each time, I’ve come across a familiar face.
My first paddock tour was during pre-season testing in Barcelona. I remember passing Susie Wolff in her Williams race suit while she was doing a photoshoot. She was a development driver at the time. Fast forward to my most recent visit at the Imola Grand Prix, and I was just a few feet away as the Sky Sports F1 crew filmed a live segment. Moments like these are small glimpses behind the scenes that you don’t usually get as a fan.
Photos are allowed in the paddock. The only time restrictions usually apply is if you’re invited into a team garage, where photography is often not permitted.
If your ticket package includes a paddock tour, double-check the time and get there early. If you’re booking on the day, make it your first stop because spaces fill quickly and aren’t guaranteed.
Tours are usually led by a professional racing driver from another series. They’re approachable and happy to answer questions.
The paddock layout is fairly consistent from race to race. The FIA and Pirelli bases are usually at one end, with teams lined up side by side in the order they finished the previous year’s championship, each positioned behind their respective garage. The main difference is how the setup is built. At European races, teams bring in mobile motorhomes by truck. At long-haul events outside Europe, the structures are more permanent, since transporting full motorhomes isn’t practical.
Paddock tours are now included in more ticket packages than they were in the past. When I first started following Formula 1 in the late 1990s and early 2000s, paddock access was simply not available or out of reach for most fans. Today, it is much more accessible.
For example, a starter package at the Qatar Grand Prix, including a three-day grandstand ticket, pit lane walk, and guided paddock tour on Thursday, starts at around £750. A paddock tour on a prime day like Friday or Saturday, with hospitality included for the full weekend, typically starts from £4,000. For full paddock access across the entire weekend, you will need a budget of at least £15,000. All of these prices exclude travel and accommodation.
If you ever get the chance, or if your budget allows, I’d recommend doing a paddock tour. For any Formula 1 fan, it’s an experience that stays with you.
