Racing through history: Three unmissable car museums to add to your Grand Prix itinerary

From Las Vegas to Maranello, these three car museums combine rich motorsport history with unique attractions, making them a great addition to any F1 fan’s Grand Prix itinerary.​

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Red Bull Hangar-7

Flying through Salzburg for the Austrian Grand Prix? Stop by Hangar-7. It’s a one-of-a-kind museum for F1 (and aviation) enthusiasts, especially if Red Bull is your team. I included this stop on my way home from the Austrian Grand Prix. It’s conveniently located next to the airport and only takes about an hour to see the highlights.
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The collection includes Red Bull Racing F1 cars, such as the RB8 and the RB9, driven by Vettel and Mark Webber, both of which helped secure a championship with Sebastian Vettel. It also includes the Scuderia Toro Rosso STR5, which was driven by Sébastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, as well as the Sauber Petronas C20.

Sebastian Vettel celebrates after winning the Indian Grand Prix in the Red Bull Racing RB8

The F1 cars were a clear highlight, but seeing iconic planes like the North American B-25J “Mitchell” and aircraft from The Flying Bulls’ fleet was just as impressive, especially since I had seen them airborne the day before, performing flyovers before the Grand Prix.
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The building’s modern architecture is also impressive, and entry is free.

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Museo Ferrari

Museo Ferrari in Maranello is a great place for motorsport fans, particularly those attending the Imola Grand Prix or the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. It’s located about an hour from Bologna, making it a convenient addition to an Imola trip. If you’re heading to Monza, it’s still an easy day trip, being just under two and a half hours from Milan.
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At the museum, you’ll get a thorough insight into Ferrari’s rich heritage. The collection includes historic Formula 1 cars driven by world champions such as Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen, and Niki Lauda. You’ll also find some beautiful classic road cars, rare hypercars and supercars, like the LaFerrari, Enzo, and F40.

Museo Ferrari in Maranello

​If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to drive a Ferrari F1 car, the museum’s driving simulators are a great way to experience it. You’ll also see championship trophies from Ferrari’s victories and driver memorabilia, including helmets and racing suits from some of Ferrari’s legendary drivers.

​There has even been an Airbnb experience where guests could spend the night inside the museum, hosted by former F1 driver and Ferrari ambassador Marc Gené.

​Whether you’re a lifelong Ferrari fan or just curious about its storied past, Museo Ferrari is a great way to explore one of the most iconic brands in motorsport.

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Shelby Heritage Center

For anyone going to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, stopping by the Shelby Heritage Centre is a great addition to your F1 weekend. Since the racing takes place at night, your days are free to explore, and Las Vegas has plenty of unexpected attractions to check out away from the Strip.
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The Shelby Heritage Centre houses over 25 Shelby vehicles, including Mustangs, trucks, and heritage Cobras. Learn about Carroll Shelby’s remarkable career, including his influential role in motorsport and his iconic 1959 Le Mans victory behind the wheel of an Aston Martin.

Shelby Cobra

The museum is open daily and free to visit, so it’s easy to add to your Las Vegas Grand Prix itinerary. If you’re looking for a more in-depth experience and a deeper dive into Shelby’s history, you can book a VIP tour.
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To take your Shelby experience further, consider heading to Speed Vegas, just 15 minutes from the Strip, where you can get behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. With a 0-60 time of just 3.3 seconds, it sounds like an unforgettable way to cap off your day.

Ford Mustang GT500

Personally, I’ve got a NASCAR Ride Along at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on my bucket list, riding shotgun with a pro racing instructor. It might not be a Hot Lap around the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, but it sounds every bit as exhilarating.

Rob is an experienced independent travel consultant and travel content creator.

His love for Formula One started in the 1990s, watching the greats like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Mika Hakkinen. He traveled to his first Grand Prix in 1999. It was the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. Since then, Rob has traveled to over 2/3 of Grand Prix' on the current Formula One calendar.

Fast forward to today, and Rob has turned his passion into a career, dedicating his time to helping others plan their dream Formula One trips.

His favourite Grand Prix destinations are Austria and Austin, and when he's not attending a Formula One Grand Prix, you'll find him closer to home, walking or cycling in the Peak District National Park.