From The Latest Issue: How Formula 1 Became the Ultimate Luxury Travel Experience

It’s a great day for me at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix. I am here to create content during the Formula 1 weekend, and Charles Leclerc, the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 prodigy, just said “hi” to me. I got cap-signed by Frédéric Vasseur, the Ferrari F1 Team Principal, and a reel I posted a couple of hours ago of my “race view” at the Grand Prix has already gone viral, garnering thousands of views and being reshared multiple times. The contents of this reel? A vantage viewpoint of the track from the Presidential Suite of the iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which has temporarily been cordoned off as the Chivas Gold Lounge. I have a whisky cocktail in my hand, while the futuristic skyline of Marina Bay looms in the background, and the race cars whizz past with their characteristic high-pitched roar.

As the race concludes, George Russell takes victory at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix. The win unfolds against a backdrop of spectacular fireworks and distant strains of Sir Elton John’s "Crocodile Rock," signalling a shift from the tension of competition to the celebrations that follow. It’s a moment I can’t capture on Instagram!

This victory brings back memories of how my F1 experiences have evolved. Over the years, I’ve seen both ends of the F1 experience spectrum—as a young budget traveller and a car enthusiast. I’ve enjoyed the affordable seats at the Singapore Grand Prix, braved crowds and stood in endless queues for a beer. Today, I am sipping champagne and watching the race from an exclusive vantage point, but my enthusiasm for the sport remains the same. The contrast between these experiences highlights the event's changing landscape.

With these changes in mind, I consider what draws my race-enthusiast audience to my social media coverage. It’s certainly not the standard views and information on the Singapore race weekend that’s available on multiple sports platforms. I suspect it’s the exclusive access and ringside view of the “off-limits” experiences I am privy to. Be that as it may, I find myself enjoying the Formula 1 lifestyle through a curated luxury itinerary by Chivas Luxe Collective, an experiential arm of the legendary Scotch whisky house, whose recent partnership with Formula 1 made the news all over.

Living the F1 lifestyle

My favourite part of Singapore’s Grand Prix weekend is the after-race concerts. I’ve watched stars like Jennifer Lopez, Robbie Williams, Maroon 5, and The Chainsmokers. Last year, I finally saw Sir Elton John perform—music and fireworks ending the race moved me to tears. It was the perfect blend of my passion for racing, cars, and live music.

What would an F1 weekend be without its after parties? Today’s rooftop bar of choice is the chic Whisky Samba, where Scuderia Ferrari is throwing its after-party amid a tapestry of vibrant conversations and laughter. Cocktails and champagne flow generously in a sea of red jerseys and caps, but it’s the little details that create a story. One Korean pop star, a familiar, fleeting social media face, animatedly engages with the bartender, piecing together a cocktail that seems to embody the party's ambience and energy. The drink, cheekily named “Paddock Punch,” quickly becomes a hit. The fashion and music quotient is undeniably high, with the eclectic beats setting the perfect rhythm for the night. In attendance are several Korean, Thai, and Chinese pop and film celebrities (I could not identify them at the time, admittedly), whose presence adds an international flair to this extraordinary evening.

Just a couple of years ago, when I booked Grand Prix tickets, all I did was sit in the stands and watch the race. These days, I plan it as a vacation.

You don’t need to be a hardcore Formula 1 enthusiast to be part of an F1 weekend—there are so many ancillary events, activities and experiences that are attached to it: nightlife, food, bars, cultural experiences, music concerts and more. For instance, the Monaco Grand Prix, which, like the Cannes Film Festival, has become the travel must-do in the French Riviera, with people planning luxurious vacations around it. The caviar-and-champagne lifestyle underpins the race, popularised by global celebrities and brands like LVMH, Chivas Regal, and Tudor, and promoted by visiting content creators.

The F1 getaway is a major trend that extends beyond the racetrack. It’s a powerful fusion of destination and sports promotion. Motorsport as an entry point to global culture isn’t just a theory; it’s the future of travel and tourism.

Luxe Drive Experiences

Meanwhile, beyond Singapore, Luxe Drive Experiences are swiftly gaining traction as the next big trend in luxury travel.

The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is returning for its fifth and largest edition. It will feature hundreds of contemporary and rare cars, as well as several judged Concours classes. This makes it one of the most anticipated luxury auto events for Indian travellers. The event is organised by the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island, which is scheduled to open in the UAE in 2027. The event is setting a trend of luxury automobile-driven gatherings on Al Marjan Island, starting next year. These will attract well-heeled auto enthusiasts to Ras al-Khaimah. According to Forbes, guests at the Las Vegas Concours participated in a curated experience. They drove a McLaren Artura down the Las Vegas Strip as part of a larger convoy of luxury cars, escorted by police.

(Riaan Jacob George is a content creator and luxury journalist who has extensively covered luxury trends, automobiles, aviation and technology.)

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