Heading to a Formula 1 race soon and wondering what to wear? Well, honestly you can wear whatever you want – but some outfit choices are going to be better than others!
I’ve been to a couple F1 races now, and have experienced them in both hospitality suites AND just out around the track. So I can definitely give a good overview of what to wear to an F1 race!
(You can also find my guide to what to pack for an F1 race, which will have a little bit of overlap here.)
What to wear to an F1 race
I’m going to break down the different ticket types you might have for a Formula 1 race, and then give some tips on what to wear for each one. I’ll also share some photos of the F1 outfits I’ve seen at the races I’ve been to.
What to wear in F1 general admission
If you have general admission tickets (meaning you don’t have any sort of assigned seat/viewing area, but rather are free to watch the race from any of the designated general admission areas around the track), the thing I cannot stress enough is that you need to dress comfortably.
GA areas at F1 races can vary a lot in terms of views, but the thing they all have in common is that they’re going to require lots of walking, and will require you to be standing or sitting on the ground a lot. You’re also going to be the most exposed to all the elements, so this means planning for the weather, be it sun or rain.
The average Formula 1 track is 5-6 kilometers (3-4 miles) long, and in many cases you’re going to have to walk quite a ways from the track entry points to the viewing areas, fan zones, etc. This means good, comfortable shoes that you can log miles in and a comfy outfit are key!
I *know* the perfect ‘fit for the Austin F1 race includes cowboy boots in your head, but unless you live in cowboy boots in your everyday life and have a pair that are high quality and well broken-in, I cannot stress enough how much I DO NOT recommend cowboy boots at an F1 race. The same goes for high heels, strappy sandals, and anything else you wouldn’t normally walk miles in.
Another thing to keep in mind is that many F1 tracks can be quite dusty (or muddy, depending on the weather), and doubly so when you’re in GA and sitting at ground-level. So be sure you’re wearing shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty.
And lastly, know that general admission tickets often only have access to portable toilets around the track. Sometimes these are nice trailers with real toilets, but other times they are just basic porta-potties. Some older tracks even still have squat toilets. So ladies, I don’t necessarily recommend bodysuits, jumpsuits/rompers, or super long dresses unless you are a wizard at using a porta-potty in them.
Must-have staples for watching F1 in GA:
- GOOD SHOES (seriously, I cannot stress this enough)
- Shorts, pants, or a skirt you’ll be comfortable in for both walking and sitting (and skirt-wearers, always think about preventing chafing with either some slip shorts or a friction stick!)
- A shirt from your favorite team, or just a comfy t-shirt
- A hat (for both showing team/driver pride AND for sun protection)
- Any additional layers you might need, based on the weather forecast (for example: a sweater or rain coat)
- Bag that meets track size requirements (I recommend small backpacks for everyone in GA!)
GA F1 outfit ideas for women:
- Comfy pants/shorts, team t-shirt, team hat, sneakers, small backpack
- Biker shorts, cute cropped F1 tee, linen shirt or blazer over top, bucket hat, cute sneakers, small tote bag
- Active skirt, plain t-shirt, team hat, sneakers, sling bag
- Long breathable tank dress, linen button-up shirt worn open, team hat, sneakers, sling bag or small backpack
What to wear in the F1 grandstands
The grandstands at a Formula 1 race are a great way to go if you want to upgrade your race experience but not necessarily spend a fortune. You’ll have an assigned seat in the grandstands, so you won’t have to worry about staking out space on the ground.
Some grandstands have seats with seatbacks, while others don’t. And some grandstands are covered, while others are not. But in terms of what I recommend wearing, the list really doesn’t change from what I would suggest for GA ticket-holders.
People sitting in grandstands at a Formula 1 race are still going to be doing a lot of walking around the track (unless you can find that unicorn grandstand that’s close to an entrance, the fan zone, and food vendors all at the same time). You’ll also still be exposed to the elements somewhat, and you’ll also still be using whatever toilet facilities the GA people are using (again, usually mobile toilets or porta-potties).
So overall my suggestions on what to wear in the grandstands are the same as what I’d recommend wearing in general admission.
Must-have staples for watching F1 from the grandstands:
- GOOD SHOES (we had grandstand seating at Monza, and on Saturday alone I walked 25,000 steps)
- Shorts, pants, or a skirt that’s comfortable for both walking and sitting (athletic shorts/skirts are definitely fine)
- A shirt from your favorite team, or just a comfy t-shirt
- A hat (for both showing team/driver pride AND for sun protection)
- Any additional layers you might need, based on the weather forecast (for example: a sweater or rain coat)
- Bag that meets track size requirements (small backpacks are good, or maybe do one backpack and one cute sling bag if you’re with a partner/friend)
Grandstand F1 outfit ideas:
Basically the same as I recommend for GA; you can dress cute, but be sure to still focus on what will be functional and comfortable to be in all day out in the elements.
- Comfy pants/shorts, team t-shirt, team hat, sneakers, small backpack
- Biker shorts, cute cropped F1 tee or tank top, bucket hat, cute sneakers, small tote bag
- Active skirt (I love my Popflex Pirouette skirt), plain t-shirt, team hat, sneakers, sling bag
- Long breathable tank dress, linen button-up shirt worn open, team hat, sneakers, sling bag or small backpack
What to wear in F1 hospitality suites
Now here’s where my suggestions are going to shift. Because hospitality at an F1 race is very different from attending in general admission or even the grandstands.
There are various hospitality package options based on the race, ranging from team-sponsored suites at the top end, down through Paddock Club and Champions Club (offered through F1 Experiences), and also track-specific VIP suites.
*Most* hospitality suites include a bar, food, access to both an indoor area and outdoor seating overlooking the track, and usually private restroom facilities. You won’t have to worry about sitting on the ground or using porta-potties here, though you still might have to do a bit of walking to reach your suite. And you’ll still want to think about sun protection and dressing for the weather.
Since hospitality suite tickets are the most expensive ones you can buy an at Formula 1 race, most of these suites do come with a (somewhat suggested) dress code. The dress code for Champions Club, Paddock Club, and other suite-style spaces at an F1 race is generally “smart casual,” and you’re often encouraged to skip the team gear and look a bit more chic.
(In my experience in Paddock Club, men were mostly wearing khakis or dressy jeans and a polo shirt or short-sleeved button-down, while women were wearing things like cotton dresses, linen pants with t-shirts, shorts with blouses, etc. Not many people wore team shirts, but several were still sporting team hats.)
Must-have staples for F1 hospitality:
- GOOD SHOES (you’ll STILL be walking a lot)
- Smart-casual bottoms (think: linen, khakis, maxi skirts)
- Button-down tops or polo shirts
- A light sweater, blazer, or leather jacket to complete the look
- A sunhat and sunglasses
- Cute handbag that can fit all the essentials
F1 hospitality outfit ideas for women:
- Linen pants, button-down blouse, fashion sneakers, cross-body purse
- Linen shorts/top matching set, sneakers, sling bag
- Maxi skirt, plain tee/tank, neck scarf, fashion sneakers or flats with lots of support
- Denim or linen jumpsuit, fashion sneakers, sling bag
- Midi or maxi dress, denim jacket, baseball cap, fashion sneakers, small backpack
F1 hospitality outfit ideas for men:
- Khakis, button-down short-sleeved top, dressy sneakers or very comfy loafers
- Dark jeans, polo shirt, dressy sneakers
You’ll see less team gear in the hospitality areas, but you can certainly still wear team colors and get creative with your accessories to show support for your favorite driver(s).
READ NEXT: What to Pack for a Formula 1 Race: Your F1 Survival Kit Guide
Hopefully this has given you some ideas for what to wear for an F1 race! Feel free to share any additional F1 outfit tips below.
