Why Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends are no longer just about the racing
As the popularity of Formula 1 continues, Grand Prix weekends are no longer just about the racing.
On Sunday, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone turned out to be one of the best races in recent memory.
Under mixed conditions, the drivers had to navigate both rain and wind as they battled to keep their cars within the white lines.
During the action-packed race, reigning world champion Max Verstappen produced a rare mistake, spinning around after the safety car restart.
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Meanwhile, championship leader Oscar Piastri was handed a 10-second penalty for what he did before the safety car restart, which paved the way for Lando Norris to win his home race.
Piastri managed to finish second, with Kick Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg scoring his maiden F1 podium.
Away from the track action, the British Grand Prix had multiple musical headliners, which attracted many fans to travel to Silverstone despite the uncertainty over the weather conditions.
This year, the likes of Sam Fender, Raye, Fatboy Slim and Becky Hill all headlined the main stage across the four-day event.
According to data gathered by viagogo, a global online marketplace where people can buy and sell tickets to live sports, music, and entertainment events, fans are now travelling the world for both F1 and music.
They found that F1 fans in the UK have currently purchased tickets to 23 out of 24 races via their platform, only missing the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, which will take place in November.
According to viagogo, the top five most popular international Grands Prix among British fans are Barcelona, Monaco, Melbourne, Italy and Montreal.
Looking ahead, there are some big names lined up as musical guests, including Elton John in Singapore and Metallica in Abu Dhabi.
Fans will also be able to purchase F1 tickets through the viagogo platform, due to their partnership with the BWT Alpine Formula One Team.
The first of its kind partnership, which was announced back in March, will mean that fans can easily access F1 tickets from around the world, with viagogo's platform available in 195 countries and 33 languages.
The ultimate goal is to bring supporters closer to world-class events with a seamless experience.
A statement from Alpine read: "The agreement underscores viagogo’s leadership in global ticketing, enabling BWT Alpine Formula One Team to distribute primary ticket inventory directly on the platform.
"This makes it easier for fans to access tickets and ensures a secure, fan-friendly ticket-buying experience. This distribution model called ‘direct issuance’ offers fans a wider selection of primary tickets and more choices for live events."
Then-team principal Oliver Oakes said: "The partnership with viagogo is an exciting step to bring BWT Alpine Formula One Team closer to fans worldwide. By making tickets more accessible through a safe and trusted platform, we’re ensuring more supporters can experience the thrill of race day firsthand. We’re committed to enhancing the fan experience and strengthening global presence - this collaboration is a testament to that." You can read more about the partnership here.
F1 will return at the end of July with the Belgian Grand Prix, taking place around the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps.
Marcus Chan