Why sports travel, including Formula 1, is on a fast track for an Oscar-winning performance

The growth in sports travel has boomed in recent years, offering the opportunity for like-minded families to travel together, or groups of similarly interested travellers looking to knock off two birds with one stone – sport and travel – be it tennis, football, F1 or even fishing.

While the 2025 Australian Open helped airports, hoteliers and hospitality venues hit record numbers in Melbourne, the NRL is about to head to Vegas again, and Formula 1 motor racing – with the opening round in in Melbourne – isn’t far away either.

Australian Open travel industry activations help hit attendance figures out of the park

Here, in the first of an occasional series, we a look at the travel companies lining up for a piece of the sporting action, starting with Formula 1.

F1 gets the green light with travellers  

The Australian F1 Grand Prix is the opening race of the 2025 season, and the first season-opener here since 2019. Recent driver changes mean it will be an exciting time for fans to see drivers young and old put through their paces. While tickets to race day, Sunday March 16, are sold out, there are ticket still available for the practice sessions in the two days prior.

Fans will see Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari for the first time plus his replacement, young Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is buckling up for Mercedes. Add to that Australian Oscar Piastri’s exciting 2024 season with two wins in his McLaren and the inaugural season for Jack Doohan for Alpine and this year’s F1 has a lot going for it.

Photo: Instagram, @oscarpiastri81

Meanwhile, a recap of F1 season 2024 is soon to air on the small screen in Netflix’s captivating ongoing documentary Drive to Survive (Series 7) while the motorsport will also soon be on the big screen in F1, a US$300 million move starring Brad Pitt, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, which is set to debut in June.

“Formula 1 continues to grow in popularity around the world and as a global partner we have achieved exceptional results, so it is only natural for us to further develop our presence at the world-class races by joining forces with a team,” MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said this week as he announced the line as an F1 Premium Partner for 2025 and beyond.

“We are proud to announce our collaboration with BWT Alpine Formula One Team with a strong heritage and legacy and our shared values of innovation and team spirit will make for the perfect partnership.”

BWT Alpine Formula One Team’s livery feature MSC Cruises.

BWT Alpine Formula One Team’s Flavio Briatore said the collaboration brings together two dynamic industries, “both driven by a passion for innovation, performance and excellence”.

“We see many exciting synergies between the world of motorsport and luxury cruising, where precision, teamwork and delivering unforgettable moments are key elements. We truly look forward to working together with MSC cruises on many exciting projects, throughout the F1 season and beyond.”

These types of partnerships also offer an opportunity to add another lure to an operator’s existing destination, creating a new destination or value-add to an itinerary plus add new fans to a sporting pursuit.

CRUISE

Celestyal 

Celestyal Journey will offer a Formula 1 cruise on December 6, 2025. Sailing roundtrip from Doha, the 7-night cruise includes the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as well as calls to Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island and Bahrain. Priced from AU$899 per person twin-share for the cruise, with F1 grandstand packages starting from AU$1132 for South Grandstand access.

Celestyal F1 Doha trip offers triple treat for travel advisors and destination managers

MSC Cruises

As part of its ongoing global partnership, MSC Cruises is the title sponsor of three 2025 Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix races in Austria, the US and Sao Paulo.

MSC Cruises will feature prominently on the 2025 car, the A525, which was unveiled at the F175 Launch at the O2 Arena in London this week.

Stay tuned and choose among the best cruise destinations, with a wide variety of itineraries and a large fleet of cutting-edge and unique ships.

MSC Cruises has also partnered with the producers of the Hollywood blockbuster F1.

MSC F1 associated itineraries on MSC Euribia around the Middle East include:

Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar 7-nights departing 8 Nov, 15 Nov and 22 Nov 2025 Dubai to Dubai
Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar 7-nights departing 9 Nov, 16 Nov and 7 Dec Doha to Doha
Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar 7-nights departing 12 Nov, 19 Nov, 3 Dec Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys is inviting racegoers to the Monaco Grand Prix with a stay aboard Explora II which will be docked in Port Hercule. 

The Monaco City View suites provide guests with a front-row seat while the Monaco Ocean View suites offer uninterrupted sea views, away from the race frenzy of the Moaco street circuit.

“Both options provide a haven of space and sophistication, complemented by dedicated hosts ensuring every detail is seamlessly taken care of,” Explora Journeys said.

“Guests will also enjoy an enriched onboard entertainment program, making Explora II the ultimate setting for an extraordinary Grand Prix experience.”

Explora II will be moored in iconic Port Hercule during the Monaco F1 GP.

HOTELS

Marriott Bonvoy, through its partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, is giving members the ultimate Formula 1 experience with exclusive access to money-can’t-buy moments at the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix (13-16 March) at The Ritz-Carlton in Melbourne.

Once-in-a-lifetime packages include VIP hospitality with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, premium trackside experiences, dining and a luxury hotel stay. Guests will enjoy access to the prestigious Silver Arrows Lounge, where they can watch the action unfold in style while enjoying gourmet food and drinks. These Marriott Bonvoy Moments offer the perfect blend of unparalleled motorsport excitement and five-star luxury.

2025 Melbourne Grand Prix at The Ritz-Carlton 

VIP Hospitality on Practice Day with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team + 1-Night Stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne.

Guests will witness the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team fine-tune their race strategy from an exclusive vantage point inside the Silver Arrows Lounge. They will enjoy gourmet dining, premium drinks, and VIP seating, offering a front-row experience to the high-speed action. The experience is elevated with a luxurious one-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, where breathtaking city views and world-class hospitality await.

VIP Hospitality on Qualifying Day with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team + 1-Night Stay in Melbourne.

For those looking to experience the intensity of Qualifying Day, this package delivers exclusive Silver Arrows Lounge access, allowing guests to take in the drama of the session in a premium setting with complimentary food, beverages, and prime viewing. The experience is paired with a one-night stay at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel in Melbourne, ensuring the excitement continues long after the final lap.

George Russell (right) with new Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

AIRLINES

Qatar Airways is a Global Partner and Official Airline of Formula 1 and its home race the Qatar Grand Prix.

Its fan packages entail four categories with its Early Bird Promo and 10 per cent discount valid until mid-March:

The packages are designed to inspire fans from start to finish, where, along with this once-in-a-lifetime racing experience, fans will fly to Doha with Qatar Airways and stay in a world-leading 4- or 5-star hotel, for a minimum of three days, including breakfast. These packages give motorsport enthusiasts a front-row seat to the race and an opportunity to indulge in world-renowned Qatari hospitality. The packages are inclusive of return flights with Qatar Airways, and three-day race tickets.

“With the success of last year’s fan travel packages, are thrilled to launch packages for 2025 nearly a year in advance, giving F1 enthusiasts plenty of time to plan ahead and secure their spot,” Qatar Airways Holidays & Discover Qatar senior vice president, Steven Reynolds said.

“The 2025 Fan Packages will ensure an unforgettable experience for those who travel to Qatar for one of the most exciting weekends of 2025. Motorsport enthusiasts from more than 80 countries will benefit from great savings with these Qatar Airways Holidays packages.”

The McLaren Team from pit lane in Qatar 2024. Photo: Grant Jones