It’s only around two weeks until the first checkered flag of the season starts to wave and teams are desperately putting the finishing touches to their cars ahead of touching down in Melbourne for the first race.
But whilst the likes of Ferrari, Williams, and McLaren are preparing to take the Constructers crown away from Mercedes, fans across the world are also making plans to catch the best drivers in F1 live. But where is the best place to land before Abu Dhabi on November 29? Where’s the place you should pack your bags and go to watch Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel, and Alonso battle for that podium position?
Monaco – Monte Carlo
It’s one of the most glamorous events in sport, and largely considered one of the most important races in motorsport.
Since 1929 it’s been a staple on the F1 calendar, with hundreds of yachts docking by the bay and sipping champagne and cocktails as the smell of burning rubber and oil sweeps through the streets.
The weekend sees thousands flock to the likes of the Monte Carlo Casino, many having practiced their F1 themed casino games beforehand, and come race day every balcony, space of pavement, and viewing spot is filled with an electric atmosphere.
Last year didn’t disappoint with a real tension developing between teammates Rosberg and Hamilton after the Brit was found to have altered his car to get ahead of Rosberg in the Spanish Grand Prix.
That rivalry spilled onto the streets of Monaco with Rosberg being investigated for deliberately spoiling the eventual champion’s qualifying lap. The German went on to win the Grand Prix putting pressure on his teammate, and if this year is anything like last, we are in for a real treat.
Italy – Monza
Not only is it the home of F1’s oldest and most successful team, Ferrari, but it probably has the greatest atmosphere of any race on the calendar, largely in part thanks to the Tifosi.
The atmosphere is akin to a giant street party or carnival. Ferrari fans from all over Italy flock to the historic circuit. No matter how well – or badly – the Prancing Horse are doing, the support they give is always 100 per cent.
But the biggest reason to head to Italy in early-September is because this could very well be the last Italian Grand Prix – at least at Monza.
Singapore – Singapore
The Singapore Grand Prix as we know has transformed in recent times becoming the first night race in F1 history, like Monaco taking place in the city streets.
The fourteenth race on the schedule, taking place on September 20, it’s always an incredibly important race, and last year saw Hamilton overtake Rosberg in the Drivers’ Championship standings after the leader retired due to a car fault.
But not only does the Marina Bay Street Circuit race have top-class F1 action on, it also has incredible musical entertainment too, with a stage in the middle of the track featuring chart-topping performances.
2015 will welcome Pharrell Williams, Maroon 5, and Spandau Ballet alongside Alonso and Vettel this year, in what will not only be a thrilling races on the track, but off it too.
Brazil – Sao Paulo
There’s something very magical about the Brazilian Grand Prix. It may be because it’s the penultimate race of the season, but it’s mainly down to the fact it’s the home of the late great Ayrton Senna.
It’s been a staple of the F1 season since 1972 and has been held in the bustling metropolis of Sao Paulo for the last 25 years. Just a short drive out from the city centre, the 71 lap race welcomes over 100,000 race fans every year.
Last year saw the battle continue between Rosberg and Hamilton, right to the very death, taking the Championship to the last race of the season, with the German snatching the win by just 1.46 seconds. If we see anything like we did last year, it’ll be the race of the year with the influence of Senna in the city still plain to see.
Mexico – Mexico City
New races can be pretty devoid of atmosphere with F1’s current fascination with races in the middle of nowhere in countries nobody has ever heard of. That won’t be the case in Mexico though.
Whilst it’s new to the calendar this year, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in Mexico City has hosted many F1 races, some very memorable ones too.
Mexican’s love F1. They travel over the border to Texas in their tens of thousands just to hear the sound of F1 cars. But now they’ve got a home race, we can expect to see a sell-out crowd in the hundreds of thousands.
Viva la Mexico!
