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10 perfect breaks for F1 fans

The very glitzy Ferrari World - Massimo Borchi/Atlantide Phototravel
The very glitzy Ferrari World - Massimo Borchi/Atlantide Phototravel

Fancy a full-throttle break soundtracked by the music of tyres on tarmac and the sweet smell of petrol? Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, here are 10 options. 

The full Monte

It’s the Monaco Grand Prix tomorrow (May 27). This is one of the most feted events in Formula One. It comes with a number of traditions – a procession of a “race” because there’s no space to overtake; somebody less famous than they once were posing on a yacht while being totally unaware that all those cameras were there; Lewis Hamilton looking like a sulky child whether he wins or loses. Still, if you want to sample the glamour of it all (although not this weekend, obviously), you can’t beat the Fairmont Monte Carlo, the five-star which gives its name to (and looks onto) the Fairmont Hairpin, the circuit’s most iconic bend. Doubles for £337 - room only (fairmont.com/monte-carlo).

F1 in Monaco - Credit: GETTY
F1 in Monaco Credit: GETTY

Dhabi match 

With its love of sports cars and vague links to oil, the Middle East has become the spiritual home of Formula One. Witness the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which has generally been the championship’s final race since its first edition in 2009. This year (November 25) will be no different. Tickets are still on sale – from £202 for the three-day weekend of practice sessions, qualifying and main event via ticketsyasmarinacircuit.com.

Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi

Vroom with a view

Abu Dhabi’s commitment to the squeal of tyres and the sight of men in sweaty overalls goes further than one grand prix. The five-star Yas Viceroy hotel (doubles for £94, room only; viceroyhotelsandresorts.com) is encircled by the track, and sells “Formula Yas 3000” driving sessions. These allow participants to blast around the circuit in an F1-style car powered by a 3000cc V6 engine. From 1840 Dirham (£369).

Yas Viceroy
Yas Viceroy

Prancing horses

What, more Abu Dhabi? Well, if you want Formula One stuff, then yes. The largest of the United Arab Emirates is the natural and unquestionable place to put a theme park dedicated to an, erm, Italian motoring legend. Which is why the very glitzy Ferrari World (ferrariworldabudhabi.com; from AED295/£59) is here, and not in Maranello. Inevitably, it offers Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster (150mph).

Victoria & Albert

The idea that F1 is a bit you-can’t-come-in-’ere-where’s-your-bleedin’-pass-mate is dispelled (ish) by the setting for the Australian Grand Prix – a street circuit around Albert Park Lake in Melbourne. You can walk it, cycle it, even drive it in a normal car. The next F1 race isn’t until next March – but you can get to Victoria via the “Australian Escape” (Melbourne-Sydney, 22 days, from £3,585pp) sold by austravel.com.

Albert Park Lake - Credit: getty
Albert Park Lake Credit: getty

Retour de France

Oz is a long way to go to watch Sebastian Vettel drive in a big circle 60-odd times. Not least when the French Grand Prix is back in the calendar for the first time in 10 years (at the Circuit Paul Ricard, at Le Castellet, near Marseille, on June 24). Gullivers Sports Travel is offering four-day packages which encompass all three days of race action, plus hotel lodging and rail travel – for £804pp (gulliverstravel.co.uk).

The places in France you'd never thought to visit (but really should)
The places in France you'd never thought to visit (but really should)

Monza munch

Who wants to watch when you can do it yourself? The Italian Grand Prix may be scheduled to take place at Monza (near Milan) on September 2, but you can charge around the circuit long before Max Verstappen by booking a driving day with Puresport (puresport.uk). Its “Formula 1 Monza” option features three laps of Italy’s great track in an F1 car, plus 10 more in a Formula Three racer. Yours for €3,630 (travel extra).

Singles party

Silverstone (silverstone.co.uk) allows non-professionals to take to the Northamptonshire tarmac that will host the British Grand Prix again, on July 8. Its “Single Seater Experience” lasts 90 minutes – and involves half an hour at the controls of a race car on the very circuit where Lewis Hamilton won last summer. From £179 a head.

A race car tackles Silverstone - Credit: GETTY
A race car tackles Silverstone Credit: GETTY

Different formula

For those who want an F1 break with only an echo of revved engines, there is Valencia, whose port-side street circuit has been used for grands prix this century. You can walk it en route to sandy Playa Malvarrosa, and the five-star Las Arenas Balneario – where three-night stays start at £698pp (with flights), via kirkerholidays.com.

Combine F1 with sun - Credit: GETTY
Combine F1 with sun Credit: GETTY

Vorsprung durch...

No, sorry, wrong car giant. We mean Mercedes, which has roared off with the last four F1 constructors’ championships. Dull domination or science in excelsis? One way to find out is to visit to its brand museum (mercedes-benz.com; free entry) in Stuttgart, where you can go “oooh” and “aaah” at speedy marques of yesteryear.