The Formula One Race Report #

Attending a Formula One Grand Prix is a bucket-list experience for many motorsport fans - a thrilling weekend filled with speed, spectacle, and world-class competition. But while the roar of the engines and the glamour of race days are undeniably exciting, the cost of attending is a luxury few can regularly afford.

Our latest research breaks down the true cost of attending a race weekend this season, ranking upcoming Grand Prix events based on flight, hotel and ticket costs as well as overall ratings to determine which offer the best value for money.

We have also analysed Google search volume to uncover which UK cities are the most Formula One-obsessed, along with the nation's favourite teams and drivers.

The best value for money Grand Prix #

While attending a Grand Prix weekend can be a significant investment, some races offer surprisingly good value for money, making the experience more accessible than you might expect.

1. Silverstone Circuit, Great Britain #

Staying in the UK for a race weekend at Silverstone offers excellent value for money for British F1 fans. Built on the site of a former Royal Air Force base, Silverstone is one of the most iconic circuits and holds a special place in motorsport history as the venue of the first ever Formula One World Championship race in 1950. This year's Grand Prix is set for early July, and whilst we hope for the sun, the famously unpredictable British weather could bring some dramatic wet-race moments. Combined with its high-speed corners and legendary layout, it’s no surprise that Silverstone is consistently rated among the best tracks on the F1 calendar, scoring an impressive 7.48 overall.

For UK-based fans, one major advantage is the lack of flight costs, which can make international races more expensive. However, it’s still worth budgeting for other travel-related expenses like public transport, fuel, or parking. Ticket prices are also fairly reasonable compared to other tracks, averaging around £445 for the weekend. Accommodation is where costs tend to rise - the average four-night hotel stay over race weekend comes in at around £2,030 per person, which can offset some of the savings from staying domestic.

2. Circuit Zandvoort, The Netherlands #

Circuit Zandvoort, which made its long-awaited return to the Formula One calendar in 2021 after a 36-year break, now offers fans the second-best value for money. What sets Zandvoort apart is its dramatic layout, which is built directly on sand dunes and weaves through them like a rollercoaster. The circuit is also home to the most steeply banked corners in F1, most notably the final turn, Arie Luyendykbocht, which adds to the thrill of the race. Despite its character, the track holds a slightly lower average fan rating of 6.73. The Dutch Grand Prix also takes place during the final weekend of August this year - a perfect time to soak in the atmosphere of this unique beachside track.

Getting there is relatively easy and affordable - with a short 1 hour 20 minute flight from UK airports, travel to Amsterdam averages at £208 per person. Combine that with one of the cheapest ticket prices on the calendar at £241.56, and Zandvoort makes for a relatively affordable opportunity to watch the Grand Prix without travelling too far from home. Accommodation is slightly more expensive, though, with hotels near the circuit averaging £1,152 for four nights per person.

3. Red Bull Ring, Austria #

The Austrian Grand Prix, hosted at the Red Bull Ring, ranks as the third best value for money. With an average fan rating of 7.17, the circuit is clearly a favourite - likely thanks to its fast-paced layout and status as one of the shorter and most action-packed laps in Formula One.

Despite its popularity, attending the Austrian Grand Prix remains relatively affordable. Weekend tickets start at £366.50, offering good value for a race with such high entertainment potential. Travel from the UK is also budget-friendly, with return flights averaging just £343. However, as with many F1 destinations, accommodation is where costs start to climb - a four-night stay near the circuit typically costs around £1,694 per person.

The worst value for money Grand Prix #

1. Circuit de Monaco, Monaco #

As the crown jewel on the Formula One calendar, the Monaco Grand Prix is anything but affordable to attend. For drivers, a win here is often seen as a career-defining milestone, and for fans, it’s the ultimate blend of motorsport and glamour. The track itself is unlike any other - a narrow, twisting street circuit that winds through the heart of Monte Carlo - a street open to the public outside of race weekend. Though it’s the shortest circuit in Formula One, it’s also one of the most technically demanding, packed with tight corners, elevation changes, and zero margin for error.

However, this prestige comes at a price. Accommodation near the circuit averages an eye-watering £16,804 for a four-night stay, largely due to the highly coveted views of the track from many hotel rooms and balconies. Ticket prices aren’t much kinder to the wallet either, starting from £1,266.10. With its luxurious setting and iconic status, Monaco delivers a one-of-a-kind experience - but it’s a premium one.

2. Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Saudi Arabia #

If you’re eager to catch a race sooner rather than later, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix offers an early opportunity, taking place at the end of April. As one of the newest additions to Formula One, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit made its debut in 2021. While it has yet to win over the fanbase - reflected in a relatively low average rating of 5.81 - its newcomer status does bring one major advantage: affordability.

Ticket prices for the weekend start at just £107.70, making it the cheapest entry point to any race on the calendar. Accommodation is similarly budget-friendly, with a four-night hotel stay averaging £159 per person. The real cost challenge lies in the travel - especially given that the race is the next in the calendar. Return flights currently average around £982 per person, which can quickly offset the savings made elsewhere, making it one of the worst values for money overall.

3. Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Brazil #

The Brazilian Grand Prix, renowned for its unpredictable nature, is a favourite among fans. Held at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace circuit in São Paulo, the track is both physically and technically demanding. It’s one of the few circuits that run counterclockwise and sit at a relatively high altitude, which adds a layer of complexity for teams and drivers. Thanks to its high-stakes energy and history of unforgettable finishes, Interlagos is the highest-rated circuit in Formula One, with an impressive fan score of 7.53.

In terms of costs, accommodation near the circuit is incredibly affordable - with a four-night stay averaging just £39, the lowest of any Grand Prix. However, ticket prices reflect the race’s top-tier status, with weekend passes starting at £1,927.03 - among the most expensive on the calendar. While it’s undeniably one of the most entertaining and emotionally charged races in F1, attending comes with a premium price tag.

The most Formula One-obsessed cities in the UK #

By analysing Google search volumes across 30 UK cities, we identified the nation’s most popular Formula One teams and drivers - and revealed which cities are truly the most F1-obsessed.

While each UK city shows varying levels of interest in Formula One, one thing fans across the country seem to agree on is their favourite team - Mercedes. With a total of 32,580 monthly Google searches across all 30 cities, Mercedes tops the charts as the UK’s most-searched team. Given the team’s long-standing success and its history with two British drivers, it is no surprise that it holds such national appeal.

Lewis Hamilton leads the way for driver popularity, dominating as the most searched driver in 29 out of the 30 cities analysed, generating an impressive 94,080 searches per month. Having raced with Mercedes for 12 seasons before making the switch to Ferrari this year, it will be interesting to see whether the team’s popularity shifts over the course of the season. Nevertheless, fellow Brit George Russell continues to represent the team in 2025, maintaining a homegrown connection.

Meanwhile, Lando Norris is the most searched driver in Bristol, which isn’t far from his hometown of Glastonbury, racking up 3,600 monthly searches in the city alone.

When it comes to the most Formula One-obsessed cities, Manchester takes the crown. The city has a big sport-focused culture, with motorsports being no exception to this rule. Residents here rack up 36,810 Google searches a month for F1-related terms - working out at 783 per 10,000 people living in the city, with the term “F1” being by far the most searched, with 27,100 searches for this term alone.

Newcastle upon Tyne follows in second place, with a total of 20,440 searches per month - or 714 per 10,000 residents. Search terms including “F1 News” and “F1 Schedule” are among the most searched in the city, with residents clearly keen to stay up-to-date with the races online.

Rounding out the top three is Bristol, where residents are searching for Formula One-related terms 27,130 times per month. The term “F1 News” is even more popular here than in Manchester.

Surprisingly, Northampton is one of the least F1-obsessed cities, ranking 27th, despite being the most local city to the Silverstone circuit, with only 181 searches per 10,000 people.

Sources and Methodology #

To identify the best value-for-money Grand Prix weekends for the 2025 season, we analysed the 20 remaining races using four key factors:

• Return flight prices (from London Heathrow and Manchester) to the nearest airport, based on travel the day before the race and returning the day after, for one person

• Hotel costs near each circuit, based on a four-night stay from the day before the race to the day after, for one person

• Starting ticket prices for full weekend access

• The overall fan rating of each circuit

Each of these metrics was indexed and combined to create a balanced overall value score for each race.

To uncover the UK’s most Formula One-obsessed cities - along with the nation’s favourite teams and drivers - we used Google Keyword Planner to analyse search volume per 10,000 residents across major cities, as well as total searches for each driver and team.

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