Watching Formula One in person gives you a closer look at the speed, precision and engineering that make up these thrilling events. Travelling to see the race also allows you to explore the sights and sounds of some of the world’s most picturesque cities.
But which city takes pole position as the best F1 city break destination?
The online casino and online slots experts at Gambling Zone have delved into the data to find out. We’ve looked at various factors to identify the best F1 city breaks, including the number of winners starting outside of pole position, the proportion of hotels and restaurants with four or more stars and the review score for each city’s main airport.
We’ve also analyzed the best tourist attractions in each Formula One host city, taking into account the number of Google searches over the last 12 months and the Tripadvisor and Google review scores for each attraction.
The Best Cities For An F1 Break
1) Las VegasFormula 1 Index Score: 6.20/10
Las Vegas can be crowned the best location for an F1 city break, scoring 6.20 out of 10. The city in Nevada saw 100% of winners starting outside of pole position. It also ranks second for travel time from the airport to the city center and third for travel time from the city center to the F1 circuit by car, at 16 minutes for each journey.
2) BudapestFormula 1 Index Score: 5.90/10
Up next is Budapest, with an overall score of 5.90 out of 10. The Hungarian capital has the third-highest average temperature throughout the event at 27ºC and also ranks third for its percentage of winners starting outside of pole position at 70%.
3) Monte CarloFormula 1 Index Score: 5.75/10
Rounding out the top three is Monte Carlo, with a score of 5.75 out of 10. The destination has the shortest travel times from the city center to the race course by car and public transport, at eight and 10 minutes, respectively. It also scores well for its high proportion of four—and five-star hotels, at 72.7%, and its proportion of four—and five-star restaurants, at 74.6%.
The Best F1 City Breaks For Hotels And Restaurants
The highest percentage of 4 and 5-star hotels - Sakhir (100%)
Staying in a four—or five-star hotel offers plenty of amenities you wouldn’t find anywhere else, making it the perfect choice for a city break. Sakhir in Bahrain has the highest proportion of four—and five-star hotels, at 100%.
The highest percentage of 4 and 5-star restaurants - Sao Paulo (82.9%)
Going on a city break means you get to sample the best each destination has to offer, especially regarding food. You’d be spoilt for choice in Sao Paulo, as it has the highest proportion of four and five-star restaurants on the list, clocking in at 82.9%.
The Most Accessible City Centres
The shortest travel time from the airport to the city centre by car - Spielberg (14 minutes)
Having a shorter time between the airport and the city center means you get more time to explore your destination, taking in the sights and sounds of each city before you head off to watch the race. Spielberg has the shortest travel time by car, at only 14 minutes.
The shortest travel time from the airport to the city centre on public transport - Abu Dhabi (18 minutes)
If you don’t fancy hiring a car to get around your chosen destination, you might consider taking public transport from the airport to the city centre. Abu Dhabi has the quickest public transport time between Zayed International Airport and the city center, which is 18 minutes.
The Most Accessible F1 Circuits From The City
The shortest travel time from the city centre to the F1 circuit by car - Monte Carlo (8 minutes)
Driving from the city center to the race course gives you a direct route, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore your destination instead of waiting for public transport. If you’re planning on driving to the F1 circuit from the city center, Monte Carlo has the shortest travel time to your destination, at only eight minutes.
The shortest travel time from the city centre to the F1 circuit on public transport - Monte Carlo (10 minutes)
Taking public transport means you won’t have to worry about finding a place to park during race day. If you plan to visit Monte Carlo for the F1, public transport will get you from the city centre to the F1 circuit in 10 minutes.
Airport Google review score - Singapore (4.7 out of 5)
A smooth travel experience can significantly affect how much you enjoy your city break. Shorter wait times for security and baggage claims make the experience more relaxed. Singapore has the highest-rated airport on the list, scoring 4.7 out of five for its Google reviews.
The Best Cities For...
The proportion of winners starting outside pole position - Las Vegas, Miami (100%)
Two American cities share the top spot for the proportion of winners starting outside of pole position, with Las Vegas and Miami scoring 100%. Miami has only hosted two races over the last 10 years, in 2022 and 2023, with Max Verstappen winning both from third and ninth position on the starting grid, respectively. Las Vegas held its inaugural race last year, also won by Max Verstappen, who started in second position.
Average daily high temperature over race days - Singapore (30 ºC)
If you plan on enjoying the sunshine while sitting in the stands to watch the F1, Singapore has the highest average temperature over its race days. Between the 20th and 22nd of September, it clocks in at 30 ºC.
Top attractions score - Mexico City (10 out of 10)
If you want to explore your chosen city before taking in the F1 events, Mexico City has the highest top attractions score, scoring a perfect 10 out of 10. Its attractions include the Museo Nacional de Antropologia and the Museo Soumaya.
The Best Attractions In F1 Host Cities
1) Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Attraction Score: 8.87/10
Mexico City
When it comes to attractions in F1 host cities, Mexico City’s Museo Nacional de Antropología takes the top spot. It ranks highly for its Tripadvisor review scores, sharing the top spot with five out of five. The museum also shares third place for its Google review scores, with 4.8 out of five.
2) Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, Attraction Score: 8.72/10
Abu Dhabi
Up next is Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center. The attraction shares the top spot for its Tripadvisor review score of five out of five. It also shares third place for its Google review score of 4.8, giving it an attraction score of 8.72 out of 10 and taking it to second place.
3) Qasr Al Watan, Attraction Score: 8.49/10
Abu Dhabi
Rounding out the top three is another attraction in Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan. The United Arab Emirates’ presidential palace scores 8.49 out of 10. Like the other attractions on the list, it scores five out of five for its Tripadvisor review score and 4.8 for its Google review scores, sharing first and third place, respectively.
The F1 City Breaks With the Most Searched Attractions
The most Google Searches - Fontana di Trevi, Rome (6.2 million searches June 2023 - May 2024)
Rome’s Trevi Fountain is the most searched attraction on the list, racking up 6.2 million Google searches over the last 12 months. The fountain, completed in the 18th century, was built over an ancient Roman water source and is one of Italy's best examples of Baroque architecture.
The Highest Google Review Score - Silverstone Distillery, Towcester (5 out of 5)
Silverstone Distillery is the highest-scoring attraction when it comes to Google review scores with a perfect five out of five. The distillery produces a wide range of vodka, gin and non-alcoholic spirits and offers tours and experiences for gin lovers.
The Highest Tripadvisor Review Score - 13 Destinations (5 out of 5)
13 attractions share the top spot for the highest Tripadvisor reviews, scoring five out of five. Most of the highest-scoring attractions are in the Middle East, with Lusail in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the UAE having three each. This is followed by Europe, with four attractions across the UK, Austria, and the Netherlands.
Methodology
Beginning with a list of Formula One host cities for the 2024 season for which data was available, we analyzed each one on the following factors. We then gave each Formula One host city a normalized score out of ten for each factor before taking an average across each of these scores to reach our final overall score out of ten.
Percentage of Winners Starting Outside of Pole Position
The number of winners starting outside of pole position, divided by the number of times each city has hosted Formula One races over the last 10 years, taken from GP Racing Stats.
Percentage of 4 and 5-Star Hotels
The number of 4 and 5-star hotels divided by the total number of hotels in each city, according to Tripadvisor.
Percentage of 4 and 5 Star restaurants
The number of 4 and 5-star restaurants divided by the total number of hotels in each city, according to Tripadvisor.
Travel Time From Airport to City Center (Minutes, Car)
The travel time in minutes from each city’s main airport to the city center by car departing at 10 AM according to Google Maps.
Travel Time From Airport to City Center (Minutes, Public Transport)
The travel time in minutes from each city’s main airport to the city center by public transport departing at 10 AM according to Google Maps.
Travel Time From City Center to Race Course (Minutes, Car)
The travel time in minutes from the city center to each city’s race course by car departing at 10 AM according to Google Maps.
Travel Time From City Center to Race Course (Minutes, Public Transport)
The travel time in minutes from the city center to each city’s F1 circuit by public transport departing at 10 AM, according to Google Maps.
Airport Google Review Score out of 5
The review score for each city’s main airport, out of five, according to Google reviews.
Average Daily High Temperature Over Race Days (ºC)
The average daily high temperature across all three days Formula One takes place in each city, according to WeatherSpark.
Top Attractions Score
Beginning with a list of the top 10 attractions in each Formula One host city according to Tripadvisor, we analyzed each one based on the following factors. We then gave each attraction a normalized score out of ten for each factor, taking an average across these scores to reach our final overall score out of ten.
Google Searches
The total number of Google searches between June 2023 and May 2024 for each attraction, according to Google Ads.
Google Review Score
The score out of five for each attraction according to Google reviews.
Tripadvisor Score
The score out of five for each attraction according to Tripadvisor.
All data correct as of 12/07/2024.
