First-class suites for Formula 1 fun

Times

3 hours ago

I'm reclining on a sunshine-yellow sofa, watching a couple enter the final throes of a chess game before flicking through a weighty tome analysing Lewis Hamilton's greatest achievements. Then 3pm rolls around and the couple dash to the terrace to watch the man himself race past at 200mph.
The living room-like House 44 suite, a collaboration between Lewis Hamilton, F1 and Soho House unveiled at Silverstone, is the latest addition to the Paddock Club — the vast hospitality complex that overlooks the starting grid. In 2025 the suite will feature at the upcoming Netherlands, Italy, Mexico, Las Vegas and UAE grands prix.
'The House 44 suite is an amazing way of experiencing a Formula 1 race weekend,' says Lewis Hamilton. 'Working closely with Soho House and F1, I wanted to design a space I'd choose for myself if I wasn't on track.'
Even the drinks are Hamilton-themed. At the bar, clad with studded metal panels recalling the stripped-back bodywork of a 1950s grand prix car, there's free-flowing Moët alongside cocktails made with Almave. Co-founded by Hamilton, it's the world's first non-alcoholic blue agave spirit brand.
The House 44 layout and size will vary slightly depending on the track, but the capacity will stay between 100 and 200 people, making it smaller and more intimate than most F1 Paddock Club suites. The overall sense is of cosiness — it's not a place where you need to know your driveshaft from your DRS. My favourite spot? Perched next to the long, rustic wooden table, watching the on-track action on a screen suspended above a sideboard topped with pot plants and a stack of books pinioned by a starfish-shaped paperweight. If I could design my dream living room, this might just be it.
Guests don't need Soho House membership — just a minimum of $12,000 (about £8,900) for a three-day race weekend ticket. Added extras include pit walks, paddock tours and appearances from Sir Lewis.
house44atf1paddockclub.com
The Singapore GP's Twenty3 is a multilevel trackside retreat famous for its multiple vantage points (you'll find it at the track's final turn, which means unbeatable views of the starting line and post-race fireworks) and entertainment — in previous years performers have included aerial silk acrobats and fire poi spinners. But it's the culinary offerings that put it on the map. Highlights include pop-ups from Michelin-starred chefs (at the GP in October sit-down restaurants will include one from the Seoul-based Soigné, which has two Michelin stars, and La Scène, a Paris bistro also with two stars). Meanwhile, pitstops for thirsty race fans will include one from Barcelona's Paradiso Bar, which bagged a spot in the top 10 of the World's 50 Best Bars 2024. Finally, it's worth bearing in mind this is a race where those vantage points are worth the expense. The action-packed Singapore GP — F1's first night-time race, wrapped around the spectacular Marina Bay — makes for a breathtaking backdrop.
From £4,760 for a three-day ticket, singaporegp.sg
A fun fact? The first Las Vegas GP took place in 1981, when the cars raced around the parking lot of the Caesars Palace hotel. There wasn't another Las Vegas GP until 2023, when F1's speed machines raced down the city's neon-lit Strip. Perhaps unsurprisingly the hospitality offerings are as extravagant as it gets, and the pricier offerings include the Gordon Ramsay at F1 Garage — with tickets starting from £20,000. A more affordable (but equally opulent) option for race weekend (in 2025 this will be November 20-22) is Skybox, with its Rat Pack-inspired decor (think vast expanses of red velvet and lots of feathers). This hospitality suite, above the Heineken Silver Main Grandstand, offers stunning views of the starting line while guests feast on gourmet cuisine and toast the race's return to Vegas with cocktails prepared by the city's top mixologists. Tickets include a Heineken Silver Main Grandstand seat in addition to suite access. The suite's proximity to the Heineken Silver Stage is a big draw — it's the setting for driver appearances as well as live music.
From £6,530 for a three-day ticket, f1lasvegasgp.com
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix's 360 at Sixteen hospitality area, which will launch at this December's event, will have a prime position — it will be located at turn 16, which means brilliant views of the finishing straight as well as the circuit's famous chicane section. It will be a multilevel lounge with leafy areas and terraces overlooking the pitlane. Perks for guests include pit walks and complimentary access to nearby attractions such as Warner Bros World Yas Island Abu Dhabi and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Guests will be able to refuel at live cooking stations and at food trucks, although it's worth nothing this will be one of the few hospitality packages that includes only soft drinks — alcoholic beverages cost extra.
From £1,200 for a four-day ticket, abudhabigp.com
House 44 wasn't the only F1 Paddock Club suite unveiled at Silverstone — the Atlassian Williams Racing team revealed its beautiful suite at the British GP too. Created for guests invited by the team or its partners, it will appear at the Singapore, Austin, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi GPs in 2025 (2026's races are to be confirmed). Although exact layouts might vary, staples will include a large central bar, an open-plan layout and vast expanses of dark oak and light stone, and a central stage will be the setting for appearances by team members, including drivers. The vibe? Decadent but fun — at the British Grand Prix there were menu holders made from wheel nuts, and guests can ask for their initials to be embroidered on to complimentary ticket wallets and luggage labels from Carl Friedrik (one of the team's sponsors). Marcus Prosser, the director of marketing at Atlassian Williams Racing, believes this bespoke approach is the way forward. 'Today the F1 hospitality landscape is shifting from a one-size-fits-all to more meaningful, personalised experiences,' Prosser says.
Entry to the suite is by invitation only