If you’re fortunate enough to have been to the Formula 1 exhibit in London, you’ll know what a captivating experience it is. If not, I’m here to persuade you to give it a chance, before it packs up and hits the road on the 2nd of March; less than a month away, and on my own birthday, no less. Now, I’m not normally one for spoilers, so I won’t give too much away, but here are my top 5 things from the evening I spent there recently, in no particular order.
Ayrton Senna’s SEGA trophy
Back in 1993, when the European Grand Prix was held at my local track, Donnington, Ayrton Senna was victorious in a bout of classic British weather. His trophy was something quite unique, modelled after Sonic the Hedgehog thanks to SEGA’s sponsorship of the race. Sure, I’d seen the photos before of Senna holding the trophy triumphantly in his hands, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the sheer size and beauty of it in person.
There were many other trophies on display at the exhibition but this one stood out for me, not only as a video game fan who’s worlds were colliding as I looked at it, but also the fact it belonged to such a legendary driver.
Max Verstappen’s RB16B
Whether you’re a fan of the reigning Dutch champion or not, there’s no doubt about it that his car is a sight to behold. Designed by none other than Adrian Newey, the car helped Max Verstappen achieve his first World Drivers’ Championship, and though I’ve seen a Red Bull F1 car up close and in person before, I was still blown away by the beauty of the RB16B.
As the display plaque at the front of the car details, the RB16B gave the team a total of 23 podiums in 2021, thanks to the efforts of both Verstappen and his teammate, Sergio Perez. The team didn’t, of course, win the constructors championship that year, but they came back with a vengeance in 2022 and as we know? The rest is history.
Lewis Hamilton’s junior karting suit
It’s hard to believe that Lewis Hamilton was this small, once upon a time, but it’s true – he hasn’t always been a seven-time world champion, he was once a young teenager competing in the Formula Junior championship, and this display was a testament not only to the humble beginnings of his career, but also showing a video highlighting a few defining moments of some other familiar faces from the grid.
On loan from McLaren Racing, my friends and I spent a long moment drinking in the sight of Hamilton’s 100cc Mclaren-Mercedes zip kart from 1998, which originally carried the number everybody now associates with the British motorsports legend – 44. There were some other stunning race suits on display in this segment of the exhibition, but this one stood out amongst them for us.
The helmet display
Never, ever in my life did I think I’d bear witness to a Senna helmet in the flesh, so imagine my surprise when I rounded the corner into this room and saw multiple on display; I’m shocked no-one heard the thudding sound of my jaw literally hitting the floor as I saw that all-too recognisable yellow and green palette.
Other iconic helmets belonging to the likes of Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost graced the display, with other more recent helmets from current drivers such as George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton (yes, it was THE purple Mercedes helmet).
Despite all this, the second I saw the words Daniel Ricciardo emblazoned on a bright orange helmet, I have to admit that I beelined for that end of the display and spent some time hanging out with my favourite Aussie’s dome.
Romain Grosjean’s Bahrain 2020 car
The final highlight of this evening needs no introduction. We’ve all seen the events of Bahrain 2020; perhaps you watched the race live, or you’ve seen the episode of Drive to Survive detailing Grosjean’s courageous battle with the flames that threatened to engulf him. The motorsports world is eternally grateful that Grosjean was spared from the wreckage that day, but the flames were not as kind to what was left of his car; the charred skeleton of what was once a Haas VF-20, now burned beyond recognition, is displayed in a glass case, a stark reminder of what was, and what could have been.
You truly could hear a penny drop in that room. It truly put into perspective the danger that our favourite racers face each and every time they set out on the tracks all over the world, but also how the safety features such as the halo are invaluable and have saved many other drivers as well as Grosjean.
I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room as we stood, speechless, taking in every single detail of the aftermath of one of the scariest incidents in modern Formula 1 history.
Overall, the exhibition is rich with history and knowledge, and contains something for F1 fans of all ages. Perhaps you’re a lifelong fan dying for the chance to see this memorabilia in person, or you’re a relatively new fan who wants to know more about the history of this iconic single-seater series. Either way, it’s an experience you won’t forget in a hurry, and I cannot stress enough how much I’d love to go back again and stare at that SEGA trophy one more time.
Comments