Last weekend, we licked our wounds because we weren’t in Austin to watch a beautiful, sunny weekend of Formula 1 racing at Circuit of the Americas. But we found a salve for not being there in person with the next best thing, watching the race live with fellow Formula 1 fans in Los Angeles at Pirelli P Zero World.
Watching the USGP at Pirelli P Zero World with fellow F1 fans
Thanks to the LA F1 Fans meet-up group Mark Sternberg created a few years ago, each week during the Formula 1 season LA fans gather to watch the races with fellow F1 enthusiasts. We once thought we were the only Formula 1 fans here in the US, since hardly any of our friends knew what we were talking about when we said, “Formula 1.” Now we meet with other followers of the FIA’s premier motorsport series, Formula 1, to watch races at various locations throughout Los Angeles.
Most race weekends, the group watches a tape delayed broadcast of the race due to the international nature of the sport. With races occurring around the world, finding a location to watch a race in the middle of the night, and the willingness to watch in the middle of the night, is a tough proposition.
Usually, the LA F1 group gathers at the Britannia Pub or Cock and Bull Pub in Santa Monica. For the season opener in Australia, Mark arranged for a viewing party at Tom’s Urban in downtown LA. A few weeks ago, the group returned to Tom’s Urban to watch the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka live – starting at 10:00 PM Los Angeles time. The new U.S. Formula 1 team, Haas F1, sponsored the party and offered team hats and other team promotional items that Mark raffled off. Over 100 people gathered to watch.
We’re up & running at @TomsUrbanLA for the #JapaneseGP watch party! We have a trivia question for @HaasF1Team merch. Anyone know? #HaasInLA pic.twitter.com/wcU9QCZnej
— Los Angeles F1 Fans (@LAF1Fans) October 9, 2016
Here watching #JapaneseGP #F1onNBC with @laf1fans and #HaasinLA (@ Tom’s Urban) https://t.co/64vk87EIkZ pic.twitter.com/sFwP0xb7P6
— Kiera Reilly (@KieraReilly) October 9, 2016
Over 115 people came out for #HaasInLA today! @HaasF1Team pic.twitter.com/cr71LMsZeR
— Los Angeles F1 Fans (@LAF1Fans) October 9, 2016
Last weekend, for the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, the LA F1 Fans group met at Pirelli P Zero World in Century City. Pirelli is the official tire for Formula 1. A catered buffet, wine, and beer were offered (for a fee), and we enjoyed a big screen viewing of the race.
Pirelli’s P Zero World in Century City, Los Angeles
A Lavazza cappuccino and Formula 1 viewing
It was a good, but not great race. Our group really made some noise when Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were battling for fifth position near the end of the race and Alonso and Massa almost took each other out.
Watching the USGP at Pirelli P Zero World in Los Angeles
During the commercial breaks, the fans chatted with each other and looked at the cars on display and parked outside.
A McLaren 570 GT parked in the back of Pirelli P Zero World
McLaren 650S in Pirelli P Zero World
There’s a McLaren behind us but we’re all focused on the action on the track!
Wearing my Williams Martini racing shirt to support Felipe Massa by this beautiful Maserati
This weekend, Formula 1 is in Mexico, offering US west-coast fans an opportunity to watch the race live at a reasonable hour. Join them tomorrow at the Britannia Pub in Santa Monica, and cheer for your favorite team and driver among fellow Formula 1 fans!
What: LA F1 Fans watch the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix live
Where: Britannia Pub, 318 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
When: 10:30 am
Details and to RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/LAF1Fans/events/235117340/
While Mercedes AMG Petronas has clinched the constructor’s title for the third straight year, the driver’s championship is still in play. Nico Rosberg could clinch his first F1 world championship if he wins the race and his teammate, reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton, finishes tenth or lower. But Lewis is on the pole for the race, with Nico in the second grid position and the Red Bulls breathing down their necks in third and fourth. It should be an exciting race. We hope to see you at the Britannia to watch with us live tomorrow!
Who do you think will win the race? Who do you think will win the driver’s championship?
More photos from the USGP viewing party are here:
Back of the McLaren 570 GT
The McLaren 650 S from the back
Kiera Reilly 