So you’re going to a Formula 1 race! Amazing!
You probably have your tickets all squared away – but what *else* do you need to bring to an F1 race with you?
What to pack for a Formula 1 race is going to (at least partially) depend on 3 factors:
What you need to bring to watch a race in a General Admission area is going to differ a bit from what you might need in, say, the Paddock Club – but I still think I can give you a good F1 race packing list that you can apply to any race situation.
Note: This is a general packing list to apply to any F1 race, but I highly, highly recommend checking the policies for the specific track you’ll be going to beforehand. Every track has slightly different rules about what you can/can’t bring!
F1 race packing list
(Note: This list contains commissionable affiliate links.)
Here are all the things I’d recommend bringing to a Formula 1 race with you.
Must-have items for any F1 race
- Tickets and ID – Obviously you’ll need your tickets to get into the track/to your seats! These might be printed, via QR code on your phone, or perhaps on a lanyard if you bought a hospitality package. Pack these first, and check to see if you also need to bring an ID.
- Earplugs – Formula 1 cars are LOUD in-person, so some ear protection at the track is a very good idea. You can get some cheap foam earplugs that you can dispose of after use, or invest in fancier ones like Loops earplugs that you can use over and over again. Just protect those ear drums! (And if you’re traveling with kids, over-ear noise-canceling headphones are highly recommended to protect their ears.)
- Comfortable shoes – No matter which race you’re attending, you’re going to be doing A LOT of walking around the track. Like, miles and miles potentially. Wear the most comfortable shoes you can!
- Water bottle – You’ll need to research what the track you’re going to allows in terms of water bottles. Some tracks allow you to bring your own reusable plastic water bottle that you can refill at the track, while others allow only factory-sealed water bottles (that you can also usually refill at the track). Whatever type of bottle you’re allowed to bring, definitely bring one!
- If you’re allowed to bring a plastic bottle of water, security may remove the cap of the bottle (or you may be required to bring it in without a cap on). Stick an extra cap in your pocket if you can so you can seal it back up later!
- Many tracks only allow bottles of 500ml or less, so just pay attention to this (that’s about 16.9oz).
- Seat cushion or picnic blanket – If you’re dong General Admission, you’ll probably be able to bring things like blankets and folding chairs with you to the track (though do check the track’s specific rules). But if you’re sitting in a grandstand, I highly recommend bringing some sort of seat cushion to save your bum! An inflatable seat cushion is a great option, as they’re easy to pack and carry.
- Tissues and hand sanitizer – Because the bathrooms at some tracks might run out of toilet paper and soap.
- Power bank for phone – You’re likely gong to be using your phone a lot to take photos/video, so be sure to bring a power bank for recharging on the go! I currently have this Anker powerbank that’s very portable and charges either wirelessly or using USB-C. It holds nearly 2 full charges for most current phones.
- Snacks – IF you’re allowed to bring food to the track, pack some high-protein snacks to help get you through the day. Protein bars, nuts, fruit, etc. are all great.
Weather-specific things to pack
- Clothing for the weather – Check the weather forecast for race day so you can be prepared for whatever weather you might encounter. It could be hot and sunny, or it could be cold and rainy. Layers are usually a good bet if you’re not sure. As we all know, races generally take place no matter what the weather is like!
- And while I usually suggest dressing for comfort over fashion, you do you! If you have any sort of hospitality package, the dress code might be a little fancier – though I would still recommend dressing as comfortable as you can. (Here are my tips for what to wear to an F1 race.)
- Poncho or rain coat – If there’s *any* chance of rain at all, I would go prepared with at least a poncho (they make these tiny fold up ones that take up no space), if not full-on rain gear. If it rains, you’re going to get wet, and not all tracks allow you to bring umbrellas (or use them in grandstands).
- Hat/sunglasses/sunscreen – And if the weather is going to be clear and sunny? Be sure to bring sun protection! That could include long sleeves, a hat, sunglasses, and good sunscreen that you’ll remember to re-apply. Especially if you’re sitting somewhere that’s uncovered, you’ll be exposed to all the elements!
- Liquid or solid stick sunscreen is a better bet than anything in a spray can – some tracks won’t allow any aerosols in.
- Portable fan – If it’s going to be hot, believe me when I say you’ll be so thankful if you pack a portable handheld fan! I’ve had this fold-up electric fan for years and love it (it’s affordable, too), though this small fan basically has built-in air conditioning for an extra blast of cool.
- Cooling towel – And for those really hot races, pack one of these cooling towels, too. You wet them with water, and then they stay cool for at least a couple of hours.
- Electrolytes – I honestly would pack these for any type of race, but especially for hot races. You’re going to be walking a lot, and potentially losing salt and vitamins through sweat. You can rehydrate with water, but you need electrolytes to replace everything else. You can either pack chewable electrolytes like these, or bring the powdered electrolytes that you add to water (I prefer these, because it forces you to also drink water!).
Optional additional items
- Sharpie (just in case!) – If the race you’re going to has any sort of driver meet-and-greet events or other fan activations, it doesn’t hurt to throw a Sharpie in your bag for any potential signing opportunities. You never know!
- Camera – You can generally bring any kind of camera into F1 races. So if you’re into photography at all, this can be a fun environment to experiment in. The cars move a lot faster in person than they do on TV!
- Binoculars – Some fans like to bring their own binoculars for watching the race, especially if they’re sitting in a spot without a good view to a big TV screen.
- F1 TV app + headphones – If you pay for F1 TV, make sure to have the app downloaded and bring along your headphones. You might be able to listen to live race commentary this way (though you might need to use a VPN, and you might struggle with phone signal at some tracks, especially on race day).
Pro tip: Whatever you do, resist the urge to buy any team merch at the race – it’ll be more expensive here than anywhere else! If you see something you like, go online and you can likely order it for cheaper and maybe even have it waiting for you when you get home!
Can you bring a bag to an F1 race?
Considering the (fairly) long list of items I’m suggesting you pack, you’re probably wondering about how to carry them all!
Bag policies vary from track to track, but *in general* small bags like purses, bum bags, and sling bags are usually fine, and small backpacks are sometimes allowed, too. Some tracks also allow Camelbak-style hydration packs. All bags are usually subject to search.
If you’re going to a race in the US, pay close attention to the bag policy, as many US events require clear bags.
If the race you’re going to has a strict bag policy, my tip is to wear clothing with as many zippered pockets as possible! And for the ladies… if you’re going to wear a cute dress, remember that they make biker shorts with pockets that you can always wear underneath.
READ NEXT: What to Wear to a Formula 1 Race: Your Ultimate F1 Outfit Guide
Have I missed anything? What’s your top thing to pack for an F1 race?
