What is the F1 Fan Zone?

The Formula One Fan Zone is where the off-track action happens during a race weekend. It’s a dedicated area inside the circuit that’s open to all ticket holders. There’s no extra charge. General admission and grandstand ticket holders can access it with a valid race ticket.

Most fan zones follow a similar layout from race to race. You will usually see the Formula One World Championship trophy on display, with the chance to have your photo taken beside it.

There is often a pit stop challenge, where you can try changing the tyres on a show car, much like a Formula One mechanic. Your time is recorded so you can compare it with other fans. It gives you a clear sense of how precise and physical a real pit stop is.

Race simulators are usually set up nearby. You sit in a mock cockpit and drive a virtual lap, with your time added to a leaderboard so you can see how you compare with others.

Many fan zones now include augmented reality experiences. You can take a selfie with an F1 driver and see them appear beside you on screen. There are also virtual pit tours, which allow you to step inside an F1 garage and look around at your own pace.

You may also see the latest F1 show car on display. It gives you a closer look at the current generation of cars and explains how the sport is working towards its Net Zero 2030 target.

Some events include interactive areas like Blast Lane, where you can get a sense of how an F1 car is tested in a factory wind tunnel, using a simplified version created for fans.

At the centre of the fan zone is the main stage, where drivers and senior team staff appear throughout the weekend.

These sessions are usually held on Friday and Saturday. Drivers speak about the circuit, the weekend ahead, and how the car is performing. If you would like to see drivers in person without paddock access, this is one of the most dependable ways to do so.

The schedule is available in the fan zone and in the circuit’s official app. If there is a particular driver you would like to see, plan your visit around that appearance.

The fan zone is open all weekend, with Friday typically the quietest day.


Saturday is busier, particularly around the driver sessions. Activities such as the simulators and pit stop challenge can attract longer queues, so if there is something specific you want to try, go earlier in the day.

In most cases, you do not need to book in advance. Entry is first come, first served. You queue, take part, and move on. At larger events, time slots may be introduced, so check the circuit app on the day.

​​How long you spend there depends on the queues and what you would like to do. You could walk through in 20 minutes, or spend a couple of hours if you are trying the pit stop challenge, using the simulators, and waiting for a driver session.

​The fan zone is not always limited to the circuit. The Williams F1 Team also runs fan zone-style events in central areas of the host city. These give fans the chance to meet drivers, see cars up close, and experience the sport without purchasing a ticket for the race weekend. The aim is to make Formula One more accessible by bringing it beyond the circuit and into the city itself.

​For 2026, planned locations include Melbourne, Miami, London, Madrid, Singapore, Austin, and Las Vegas. Specific venues will be announced throughout the season.