How much do F1 DRIVERS spend on HOTELS?

Summary

This script provides an in-depth look at the potential annual accommodation costs for Formula 1 drivers, who spend over 180 days away from home in various lodgings. It breaks down the expenses for each race location, offering insights into the cost of staying at luxury hotels or renting motor homes. The total estimated cost for a year's worth of accommodations is staggering, highlighting the financial demands of supporting elite athletes in a global racing series.

Takeaways

• 🏎️ Formula 1 drivers spend significant time away from home, often in hotels, apartments, and motor homes, incurring substantial accommodation costs.
• 💵 The annual accommodation bill for a driver can be over $150,000, considering the high costs of hotels near race tracks during Grand Prix weekends.
• 🌍 Accommodation costs vary greatly by location, with some races like Monaco and Abu Dhabi featuring particularly high prices due to the prestige and demand.
• 🏨 Drivers often stay in luxury hotels close to the track for convenience, which can be expensive, especially during peak race weekends.
• 🏁 The script provides detailed breakdowns of accommodation costs for various races, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, with prices ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
• 🛏️ Some drivers opt for motor homes during European races, which can be a more cost-effective and private option compared to hotels.
• 🏙️ In cities like Miami and Austin, drivers may stay in high-end hotels, with costs escalating significantly during race weekends.
• 💼 Teams typically cover accommodation costs for drivers, sometimes securing discounts for booking rooms for the entire crew.
• 🏡 A few drivers own homes in Monaco and may stay there during the race weekend, potentially saving on accommodation costs.
• 🌐 The global nature of Formula 1 means drivers and teams must adapt to different currencies and economic conditions, which can impact accommodation costs.

Q & A

How many days does a Formula 1 driver typically spend away from home in a year?

A Formula 1 driver typically spends over 180 days away from home in a year.

What is the estimated accommodation cost for a driver staying at the Sofitel hotel in Bahrain for a race weekend?

The estimated accommodation cost for a driver staying at the Sofitel hotel in Bahrain is around $8,000 for the period of the race weekend.

How much does a driver typically spend on accommodation at the Shangri-La hotel in Saudi Arabia for a race weekend?

A driver might spend around $1,000 a night for the first two nights and then approximately $2,000 a night for the next four nights at the Shangri-La hotel in Saudi Arabia, totaling a significant amount for the race weekend stay.

What is the estimated cost for a driver's stay at the Crown Towers in Melbourne, including the race weekend?

The estimated cost for a driver's stay at the Crown Towers in Melbourne is around $7,200 for six nights, including the race weekend.

How much does a driver typically spend on accommodation during the Japanese Grand Prix?

A driver might spend around $3,750 for accommodation during the Japanese Grand Prix, assuming they stay at the circuit hotel.

What is the estimated cost for a driver's stay at the Fairmont hotel in Austin, Texas, for the race weekend?

The estimated cost for a driver's stay at the Fairmont hotel in Austin, Texas, is around $9,000 for five or possibly six nights.

How much does a driver typically spend on accommodation at the Pattio Tangara hotel in Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix?

A driver might spend around $5,200 for accommodation at the Pattio Tangara hotel in Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

What is the estimated accommodation cost for a driver staying at the Ritz Carlton in Singapore?

The estimated accommodation cost for a driver staying at the Ritz Carlton in Singapore is around $7,500 for a stay that includes the race weekend.

How much does a driver typically spend on accommodation at the Four Seasons hotel in Mexico City for the Mexican Grand Prix?

A driver might spend around $14,000 for accommodation at the Four Seasons hotel in Mexico City for the Mexican Grand Prix.

What is the estimated accommodation cost for a driver staying at the Hilton on Yas Island for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, including the testing days?

The estimated accommodation cost for a driver staying at the Hilton on Yas Island for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, including the testing days, is around $85,000.

Who typically covers the accommodation costs for Formula 1 drivers during the race weekends?

The teams mostly cover the accommodation costs for Formula 1 drivers during the race weekends, and sometimes they may get a discount, especially if the hotel is booking for all of the crew.

Outlines

00:00

🏎️ Formula 1 Driver Accommodation Costs

This paragraph discusses the substantial annual accommodation expenses of Formula 1 drivers who spend significant time away from home, often staying in hotels, apartments, and motor homes. The script provides a race-by-race breakdown of potential costs, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix and moving through various locations such as Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, and China. It highlights the specific hotels drivers might stay in and the approximate nightly rates, including peak times during race weekends. The teams generally cover these costs, sometimes with discounts for booking rooms for the entire crew. The paragraph also mentions the varying accommodations and costs in different cities, emphasizing the high expenses involved in housing elite athletes during the global racing season.

05:02

🌍 Global Race Accommodations for F1 Drivers

This section continues the exploration of Formula 1 drivers' accommodation costs, detailing the expenses incurred at races in Europe, including Spain, Austria, and the United Kingdom. It mentions the preferences of drivers for certain hotels due to their proximity to the tracks or the quality of the establishments. The paragraph also covers the costs in Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Brazil, providing nightly rates and total estimated expenses for stays that often span beyond the race weekends. The narrative emphasizes the high costs of staying in luxury accommodations and the unique experiences at each location, such as the fan interactions in Hungary and the exclusivity of certain hotels like the one in Brazil, which is nearly impossible to book.

10:03

🏨 High-End Hotels and Accommodation Trends for F1 Drivers

The final paragraph focuses on the accommodation choices and costs for Formula 1 drivers in the latter part of the racing season, including races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. It discusses the high-end hotels preferred by drivers, such as the W Hotel in Las Vegas and the Ritz Carlton in Qatar, and the significant costs associated with these stays. The script also touches on the potential for drivers to stay in motor homes, particularly for races in Europe, and the costs associated with these alternatives. The paragraph concludes with a total estimated accommodation cost for the season and a reminder to subscribe and support the channel for additional content and merchandise opportunities.

Keywords

💡Formula 1

Formula 1, often abbreviated as F1, is the highest class of single-seater auto racing for Formula One cars. It is the premier form of car racing and is sanctioned by the International Automobile Federation (FIA). In the context of the video, Formula 1 is the central theme as it discusses the accommodation costs for drivers participating in the races around the world.

💡Accommodation

Accommodation refers to the lodging or housing provided for people, typically when they are away from home. In the video, the term is used to discuss the hotels and other forms of lodging that Formula 1 drivers stay in during their races and travels, which is a significant part of their expenses.

💡Race

A race in this context is a competitive event where Formula 1 drivers participate in a timed contest of speed in cars. The video script goes through various races, such as the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Australian Grand Prix, to illustrate the accommodation costs associated with each event.

💡Hotel

A hotel is a commercial establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The script mentions several hotels by name, such as the Sofitel in Bahrain and the Ritz Carlton in Monaco, to give an idea of the type of accommodations and their costs that Formula 1 drivers might incur.

💡Motor Home

A motor home is a type of vehicle that combines the features of a car and a home, providing living quarters for the driver. The script mentions that some drivers opt to stay in motor homes during races, which can be a more private and possibly cost-effective option compared to hotels.

💡Grand Prix

A Grand Prix is a title given to a high-status motor race, often a Formula One event. The term is used in the script to refer to specific races, such as the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, where the drivers' accommodation choices and costs are discussed.

💡Circuit Hotel

A circuit hotel is a hotel located near a racing circuit, often chosen by drivers for its convenience and proximity to the racetrack. The script mentions that many drivers stay at the circuit hotel during races like the Japanese Grand Prix, which is just 600 meters from the track.

💡Peak Season

Peak season refers to the time of year when demand for a product or service is at its highest, often leading to increased prices. In the video, the term is used to describe the time when Formula 1 races are held, which often coincides with peak travel times, driving up accommodation costs.

💡Discount

A discount is a reduction in the usual price of a product or service. The script discusses the possibility of teams receiving discounts on hotel bookings, especially when booking for all crew members, as a way to manage accommodation costs.

💡Private Jet

A private jet is an aircraft used for private flights, often by wealthy individuals or corporations. The script mentions private jets in the context of drivers traveling to and from races, indicating the high level of expense and convenience associated with the lifestyle of a Formula 1 driver.

💡Testing

In the context of Formula 1, testing refers to practice sessions where drivers and teams evaluate car performance and make adjustments. The script mentions that drivers may extend their stay at a hotel due to testing sessions, which adds to their accommodation costs.

Highlights

A driver may spend over 180 days away from home annually in various accommodations.

Accommodation costs for a driver can be estimated race by race throughout the year.

In Bahrain, drivers might spend around $8,000 for a stay at the Sofitel hotel.

The Shangri-La hotel in Saudi Arabia could cost over $3,000 per night for some drivers.

Drivers in Melbourne might stay at Crown Towers, accruing a bill of around $7,200.

In Japan, drivers could pay approximately $750 per night, totaling around $3,750 for the stay.

Chinese drivers often stay at the Heng where rates are relatively cheaper, around $400 per night.

Miami accommodation for drivers can peak at $1,500 per night during race weekends.

In Europe, some drivers opt for motor homes, with rental costs around $1,000 per week.

Monaco is unique as many drivers stay at their own homes, potentially avoiding accommodation costs.

In Montreal, drivers might stay at the Four Seasons with a cost of around $8,000 for five nights.

Austria's Schloss Seefeld Hohenems could cost drivers around $4,800 for a four-night stay.

Silverstone accommodation might range from $1,500 to $6,000 depending on the hotel's proximity to the track.

Hungary offers some of the best value for money, with accommodation ranging from $400 to $1,200 per night.

The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa sees drivers paying around $5,400 for a four-night stay at the De La Source hotel.

In the Netherlands, drivers often stay at the NH Collection for its proximity to the track, costing around $4,000 for four nights.

Monza's Hotel dielle is a popular choice among drivers, with a cost of around $5,200 for a four-night stay.

Abu Dhabi's Hilton on Yas Island might cost drivers around $85,000 for a stay including testing days.

The total estimated accommodation cost for a Formula 1 driver over a season is over $159,500.

The transcript provides insights into the high costs of housing elite athletes in various global locations.

Transcripts

good day if one drivers spend 180 plus

days away from home a year in hotels

apartments and motor homes so what might

their annual accommodation Bill be well

I'll tell you in a few

seconds let's go race by race and we'll

use this year as an example let's kick

it off with Bahrain and this year we'll

take for an example we had testing so

there's 3 days there they probably

arrived a day early then there was a few

days off between that and the race and

then there was the race so another four

nights accommodation there most of them

stayed at this hotel the sofel it's

probably a 12-minute drive from the

track sometimes even quicker and I can

tell you they would have paid around

$8,000 for that period of time of course

if they' stayed in the city say a Ritz

Caron be slightly more than that now

remember I'm not saying that all the

drivers stay in the same hotels but this

will give you an idea of what it might

be like for a driver who stayed at all

of these hotels next up it was off to

Saudi Arabia the shanga hotel on the

last corner is brand new stunning and a

number of drivers called that home for

the week or so that they were there

because many flew on the Monday you

would have budgeted 1,000 a night for

the first two nights and then probably

two grand a night for four nights most

of them would have checked out on the

Sunday gone to the track done the race

and then headed out that night I

budgeted on the drivers arriving a day

earlier into Melbourne because of the

long trip so let's assume they stayed

six nights at the crown Towers which is

the major hotel in Melbourne at 122009

night remember these prices are all in

Us doll you could rack up

$7,200 for that stay next up it was

Japan and this was one of the cheaper

races most of the drivers staying at the

circuit hotel which is all of 600 m to

the track but even then they would all

Drive in I'm suggesting 750 a night for

five nights would be around the mark and

then on top of that many would have

arrived a little bit earlier or perhaps

stayed another couple of days later and

gone to Tokyo or Osaka but I haven't

included that in this price so there's

37 50 for Japan and who pays for this

well it's the teams mostly and do they

get a discount well sometimes they do

especially if the hotel is booking for

all of the crew but a lot of times the

drivers stay separately from the crew

because obviously the team doesn't want

to be paying out a th000 or 2,000 a

night per room when they can put a team

say in a h or a Hilton at a much lower

rate in China a good number of the

drivers stayed at the height which was

pretty cheap I think it was about 400 a

night and it's close to the track I

stayed at the Sheron it was about the

same price if they' stayed in the city

yeah it probably would have paid more at

a better Hotel I'm guessing 800 so let's

assume they stayed in the city at the

higher end we'll say 600 for the first

night and then three nights at 800 a

total of

$3,000 now Miami where I'm sitting right

now a number of them stayed at the setti

hotel you'd pay probably 1,000 a night

for the first two nights and then it

goes into higher Peak when the race is

on so500 a night for the other three

total of 6 and 1/2 ,000 and speaking of

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copy next up it's the first of the

European races at IMA now at this point

some of the drivers will actually go and

rent these large motor homes I don't

know what they pay per month but this

one here is worth just over $300,000 so

I'm guessing you're probably paying

$1,000 a week maybe a little bit less

but I'm not going to budget for these

because there's a number of drivers who

use them and they're typically the likes

of Lewis valter MC Shaker used to use

one Fernando and they're typically

parked up in an area not too far from

the track all of them together security

around and they don't have to deal with

any fans or have any socializing with

outside people but for the sake of this

exercise let's look at a hotel a lot of

them stay and this is the do I even know

how to pronounce this Varin varana

Palace Resort and Spa yeah look this is

normally 250 us a night but race weekend

we're up at over $11,000 I'm guessing

1,200 to drive to the track but it's

reasonably private out there so let's

put down 4,800 for that next up it's

Monaco now this one's an interesting one

because a lot of drivers stay at their

own homes in Monaco I'd be interested to

know if any of the drivers charge the

team for accommodation even though

they're staying in their own home

because technically they could say no I

want a hotel in the city and if they

were to take a hotel as some of them

have done in the past something like the

Columbus hotel which was and I think

still is partly owned by David cart is

probably a th000 a night for the

non-race weekend nights and then

probably two for the race weekend nights

and if you're there for 5 days that's

going to be about

$88,000 and I've stayed there once and

the room I had was very small but it's

Monaco and of course everywhere we go we

go in peak season so the teams the media

everyone that travels with the circus is

getting reamed the closer they stay to

the track obviously the higher the rates

in Montreal they'd probably stay at the

Four Seasons or the Ritz cartton Four

Seasons is slightly more expensive so

I'll have two knights at 1,000 and three

at 2,000 for a total of 8 Grand for

Montreal balona the Arts Hotel is

popular with a number of drivers I'm

thinking 12 100 a night is probably

within the ballpark as an average over

the five nights unless of course they

fly out on the Sunday which a lot of the

drivers do so let's do in Wednesday

Thursday Friday Saturday out Sunday

that's four nights a total of 4,400 all

up next up Austria and this is an

interesting one because uh if if you're

not staying in a motor home close to the

track you're probably out at the Schloss

gabble hoffen a lovely property which is

completely overtaken by Formula 1 on

that weekend 1 12200 a night would be

about the mark four nights in once again

arriving Wednesday and leaving Sunday on

your private jet and you've racked up

$4,800 worth of accommodation silverston

now there's not a great deal around

silverston of any great quality I stay

in The Moxy in uh where is it Milton ke

it's about a 30-minute drive it's a

great little hotel it's got a nice Buzz

to it but closer to the track uh pretty

much there's only whittlebury Hall and I

stayed there once and I thought it was

very daggy and old but it's pricey I'm

going to go with 1,500 a night here and

some of the rooms don't have air

conditioning but its Saving Grace is it

is very close to the track that's 6

grand for your four nights Hungary is

good value for us it's one of the best

value places that we go to I stay in the

kinsky hotel but right next doors a Ritz

Caron the Four Seasons is around the

corner um look you're probably paying

anything from 400 to 1200 a night

depending on the quality of the property

so I'm going to say here 4,800 for the

Ritz Caron and Hungary is one of the

best places for you to see drivers

arriving back at their hotels there's

such a buzz outside the hotels from

Thursday night right through until

Saturday night with hundreds and

hundreds out the front chanting and

screaming at drivers when they arrive

and it's all good natured the Belgian

Grand PRI at spa it's in a very small

country town area so quality

accommodation is not a premium but there

is one place right near the track 150

MERS from the first Corner called delar

Source a good number of the drivers stay

there it's impossible to get a booking

and you need to pay almost a year in

advance if you do get a booking it's

very comfortable but the buzz downstairs

each night when the drivers come back is

quite special often times the whole

place will erupt in cheers and Applause

when a driver enters the premises so

what will a team be paying for their

drivers here 1,350 per night that's a

total of 5,400 for four nights let's

talk to the Netherlands now and the

hotel of choice for most of the drivers

is the NH collection it's right opposite

the track at the very entrance

but it's a very old and tired property

in fact it's it's downright daggy but

the drivers aren't booking that hotel

for exclusivity or exciting Decor

they're booking it for the sheer

proximity to the track once again

there's often people waiting at the

front of that hotel every night for

drivers to return and for four nights at

the NH I'm going with $4,000 one of the

most visually pleasing hotels is the

hotel dille just outside Monza fans

gather there too put ly Ferrari fans

because the Ferrari drivers have stayed

there in the past and bear in mind that

there's no guarantee that if drivers

stay there last year they're going to be

there this year and what will a driver

be paying for four nights at the hotel

dille 5200 I've got that down for we're

about 2/3 the way through the year next

up it's off to aaban really only two

hotels that the drivers consider staying

at here and the either end of The

Paddock the JW Marriott up this end and

the Hilton at this end the Marriott's a

better Hotel hence it's more expensive

so I'll go with that one 1,500 a night

and I'll put them down for five nights

cuz often they'll stay and leave on the

Monday now there will be a couple of

days in between aaban and Singapore but

I'll Overlook them and we'll just go

straight to Singapore I've booked them

in for 59 on the Wednesday out on the

Monday and a good number of them will

stay at the Ritz carton because it is

the closest hotel to ptic it's a walk of

no more than 250 M the rooms are big and

beautiful and it's it's just a top class

Hotel the credit card bill for that stay

per driver

$7500 Austin in Texas is a hellishly

expensive city uh I've got down the

Fairmont at 1,800 a night and you'll

need five nights it might even be six

because there'll be uh a fair time

difference they might even come two days

early and five nights at 1800 comes out

to 9k and that might even be on the

lower side of what a driver would end up

paying in Mexico's City most of the

drivers stay in pal o or a long reformer

and I have seen the likes of Niko

hulkenberg some years ago staying at the

Four Season so let's base it on that

because that is a stunning hotel and

what will Five Nights at the Four

Seasons set you back around 14

Grand we're 20 races in to the 2024

season and then it's off to Brazil Sal

Paulo to be exact and a good number of

drivers will stay at the pattio tangara

Hotel you will not get a booking there

it's impossible five nights in on

Tuesday say out on Sunday 800 for the

first couple of nights $ 1,200 for the

other three that's

$5,200 for what is one of the best

hotels in the world in fact I'm going to

say it is the best hotel that I stay at

all year last year in Las Vegas a lot of

drivers stayed at the wi or the venan or

Palazo I'll go with the wi here because

it is the number one property there5

night for the first couple of nights and

then 2200 a night for the next four cuz

they probably would have gone over a

little bit earlier

11,800 but it is the standout property

in Las Vegas the penultimate race is in

Kata or Qatar depending on how you say

it now I can tell you the Ritz Carlton

is popular with drivers and I had a look

today and you can still get it for

$3,700 for five nights in on Wednesday

out on Monday now that is one of the

best deals we get all year at five star

properties because Kata has just an

overs supply of hotels that they built

for the World Cup so put the Ritz carton

down for

$3,700 and the final race of the year is

in Abu Dhabi and I've picked the Hilton

it's on Yas Island there are what four

other hotels near the track the Rotana

the Centro Crown Plaza yeah they're

three and a half star nice close to the

track and um certainly okay but the

Hilton is a much newer Hotel on Orlando

Norris state sted there last year of

course um the team is sponsored by

Hilton that is expensive so I'm going to

put that down for

$85,000 because most of the drivers will

need an extra two nights because testing

takes place on the Tuesday so they'll

have to stay Sunday night and Monday

night do testing and then probably head

to the airport either Abu Dhabi or Dubai

to head home so that's 24 races and have

a look at the total

159,50 $50 now that is an estimate and

it doesn't take into account all of the

days that they would stay away between

races where they don't fly back home but

as you can see it's an expensive game to

house Elite athletes especially when

we're going all over the world now one

final thing before you head off and buy

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passionate oh

you we are 2/3 the way through the year

oh

that does that cable not even work