The sound of roaring engines, fast and furious action, and exhilarating fun: All of these can mean only one thing; it’s British Grand Prix season. This year marks the 71st season of Formula One motor racing, which is synonymous with luxury lifestyles and living life in the fast lane. It’s no wonder that Formula One has a reputation for being exclusive. That said, for the first time, Formula One hosted ‘F1 Live‘ in the heart of London on Wednesday, 12 July to celebrate a new era of inclusivity, particularly for fans who, perhaps, have only experienced Formula One from their TV screens as opposed to up close and personal. F1 Live London brought this luxury experience to Trafalgar Square with a live stage show and a car parade on Whitehall.

F1 Live In London

Ahead of the British Grand Prix, several Formula One teams came together to offer their fans and guests a spectacular show alongside a host of stars and headliners including Little Mix and Tom Grennan. I was thrilled to receive an exclusive invite to celebrate such an iconic event in Formula One history and, to top it all off, it took place in the city where I was born. I had to keep all of the details of F1 Live London under wraps due to a strict embargo until Tuesday, 11 July at noon. In the meantime, I excitedly planned my outfit for the day in anticipation of this unique occasion.

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That day, I picked up my VIP pass from the Corinthia Hotel, where I had access to the Accreditation Centre and met the lovely team from Edelman. Amanda, Amy, and Zareen made me feel welcome immediately, having provided me with a little pack, which included a brief itinerary for the day, my hospitality pass, and my wristband. I had exclusive access to the paddock to see the Formula cars; it was a great opportunity to capture some behind-the-scenes action.

F1 Live London Paddock

F1 Live London Paddock

F1 Live London Paddock

Amanda then escorted me to the VIP marquee, where I had a few aperitifs from Johnnie Walker, after which I headed to the National Gallery for more VIP hospitality, which included a champagne reception, oysters, canapés throughout the evening, and an exclusive view of the main stage.

F1 Live London VIP Marquee

F1 Live London VIP Marquee

F1 Live London National Gallery

F1 Live London National Gallery

Rochelle Humes was joined by TV sports presenter Jake Humphrey to host F1 Live London. Little Mix looked great in outfits that showcased F1 Live London’s signature colours of black, white, and red. I found myself singing along to a few of their hits over oyster tasting, classic champagne pops, and more bubbly. Everything else continuously flowed in unison: the entertainment and the sunshine, together with an influx of other stars such as Naomi Campbell, Martin Brundle, and one of my favourite Spice Girls, Geri Halliwell, who attended with husband Christian Horner.

F1 Live London

F1 Live London National Gallery

F1 Live London

F1 Live London National Gallery

F1 Live London

F1 Live London pulled out all the stops to make the event accessible to all, including young children who have an interest in engineering as a career. There are 40,000 UK- based engineers working at Formula One. Young adults and teachers had the opportunity, along with students, to learn about careers in association with F1 and the relevant skills required in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) as part of the F1 Schools and Innovation Showcase between noon and 4 pm. The latter conveys a positive message in that young children are encouraged to explore different avenues of motor racing if the physical demands to become a professional racing driver were less appealing. Other initiatives include Formula One students helping to develop young engineers and Dare To Be Different (D2BD) – a UK-based group started by ex-driver Susie Wolff, in 2016, ‘with the goal of inspiring, connecting, and celebrating women in sport.’

F1 Live London

F1 Live London was a fantastic opportunity for guests to enjoy motor-racing in all its glory in addition to paving the way for a fresh outlook on Formula One as a sport that is becoming more inclusive as it evolves.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “F1 Live London is a brilliant opportunity to show young people in our city that learning about science and engineering can provide them with fantastic careers, and can be great fun. It will also bring fans of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate a sport they are passionate about and in which Britain is a world leader.”

Written by @StyleIconNat | A special thanks to the Edelman Team.