Formula 1 is one of the most beloved and biggest motoring sports in the world.
Every year, millions of fans travel to race tracks in anticipation of watching their favourite team and driver win the Grand Prix, all in hopes they will be named World Champion.
Some spend weekends camping in all seasons of weather to enjoy the atmosphere and to witness a weekend of thrills that the F1 promises.
Although F1 has a fan following of millions, it has never been a sport that I had much of an interest in.
I grew up forced to watch Moto GP on Sunday mornings with little to no choice, so the idea of spending my time watching cars dart around a track seemed like something I would have no appeal in.
However, over the years, with the help of Netflix’s Drive to Survive and Apple’s F1: The Movie, my interest in the sport slowly began to grow.
Last year was the turning point, as I quickly perked an interest in the happenings of one team and one driver, McLaren’s Lando Norris, after watching the British GP.
Since then, I have become what some might call a beginner F1 fan, watching race highlights, staying up to date with practice and qualifying and getting to grips with all the niche rules.
Going to an F1 race weekend for many fans is a lifelong dream; that’s why when I was offered the chance to go to the Austrian Grand Prix, I knew I had to grab it with both hands.
You do not turn down an F1 invite
I was lucky enough to be invited to Austria by Allwyn, a multi-national lottery and gaming company that has partnered with Formula 1 as it looks to drive global awareness.
Together, Allwyn and Formula 1 celebrate moments of anticipation in the sport - because as a lottery company, Allwyn understands the thrill of anticipation better than anyone. It might not be quite as intense, but anyone who has held a lottery ticket before a draw will have some insight into how a driver feels as the lights are about to go out.
Through its multi-year partnership with F1, Allwyn hosts the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award, reflecting a shared commitment to driving positive change and a passion for giving back to the communities they operate in.
Launched in June 2025, for the 2026 F1 season, seven local initiatives in countries including Austria, Great Britain, Mexico and Canada will be chosen by judges, and each winner will receive a €100,000 donation from Allwyn and the chance to visit an F1 Grand Prix.
For Austria, the non-profit organisation Sindbad Mentoring, which helps young people through one-to-one mentoring, was awarded the donation.
Celebrating their win, Co-Head of Sindbad Mentoring, Barbara Krainer, said, “We are incredibly proud and grateful to receive this recognition.
“Above all, this award belongs to our volunteer mentors and the entire Sindbad community, whose commitment makes a lasting difference in the lives of young people every day.”
Ready to join in on those celebrations, I hopped on a flight to Vienna to visit the world’s most scenic F1 race track, the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
The hills are alive with the sound of engines
The Red Bull Ring is a thing of beauty, tucked away among the mountains of rural Austria.
It’s certainly miles away from the tight, windy streets of Monte Carlo or the glitz of Las Vegas.
The endless fields surrounding the track were jam-packed with eager fans camping out over the long weekend, creating the ultimate party atmosphere all in anticipation of that moment when the F1 Grand Prix officially kicks off.
Despite it being a very hot weekend, track temperatures reached above 50c; apart from those hiding in the limited shade, everyone was electric with excitement.
Seated in the main grandstand opposite the McLaren garages, I had the perfect view of the last corner, the starting and finishing line and the first corner.
All three practices promised an intense Grand Prix, as fans around me began to discuss their race predictions.
Saturday’s qualifying was addictive; the heat was putting the drivers under extra pressure, and Max Verstappen's crash in qualifying created a shock for the poll positions.
The main race hadn’t even started yet, and everyone was already on the edge of their seats.
Eager to put my own predictions to the test, I entered Formula 1 Predict, joining the Allwyn League.
The game allowed me to share my estimates ahead of the main race and, at the end of the weekend, find out how many points I’ve gained based on my thoughts.
If I’m, or any other player is lucky enough, the top players in the Allwyn League have the chance to win prizes like grandstand tickets or even Paddock Club access.
The league is open to all and can be entered here via F1 Predict.
Ready, Set, Go!
On Sunday, June 28, the rural Austrian countryside was buzzing in electrified anticipation as a sea of orange filled Verstappen’s stand and the main grandstand became a battle of Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren fans.
After the thrilling Red Bull airshow, it was time for the event everyone had travelled miles for: the Austrian Grand Prix.
Pulling off into pole position, Mercedes' George Russell was the first to cross the line and kick off the race with the F1 Formation Lap.
Allwyn partners with the mandatory slow-speed lap, marking the first moments of pure anticipation, as 22 F1 cars weave in between each other, heat up their tyres, and build the tension for the millions of hungry fans around the world watching.
The Formation Lap marks the height of thrill, the build-up to the moment the F1 drivers can finally put their skills to the test and really take off.
The moment those drivers ended the Formation Lap, the crowd’s elation increased at rapid speed with no signs of slowing down.
For the next 71 laps, fans around me went through every emotion, as drivers battled it, faced the heat and the windy corners.
In the end, it was Britain's own George Russell who took the first podium place, followed by the Red Bull Ring's home hero, Max Verstappen, and Russell’s teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli in third.
F1, you’ve convinced me
I can officially say I finally truly understand why Formula 1 is such a beloved sport.
Across the three-day race weekend, the buzz and anticipation never slowed down, as everyone predicted, wished, and hoped for their team and driver to be the winner.
Comparable to a festival, F1 fans really know how to party and how to celebrate the teams they love so much and are proud to support.
Now, after being lucky enough to experience what a race weekend entails myself, I can finally say, F1 has earned itself a new lifelong fan (as has McLaren).
What F1 team do you support? Let us know in the comments.
