I got to go behind the scenes at an F1 weekend, and it was absolutely amazing!
From arriving by yacht to spending time in the McLaren garage, I recently enjoyed an amazing weekend in Monte Carlo for the famous Monaco Grand Prix with Allwyn, an official F1 and McLaren partner – and it was just as incredible as you’d imagine.
The Monaco GP is definitely one of those must-see sports events. Like Wimbledon or the Grand National, it attracts all kinds of people, from celebrities like Kim Kardashian to TV presenters like Holly Willoughby, as we all saw earlier this month.
So when I was invited by Allwyn, a global lottery and gaming company, to spend three days soaking up the race excitement and the amazing atmosphere – especially the sounds! – I was all in. Out of Office: activated.
After flying from Manchester, my Monte Carlo adventure really kicked off when I was picked up in Nice by a private yacht that took me to the track. I even had time for a quick swim in the sea before arriving at the legendary Monte Carlo port. What a way to start a Friday!
I spent the afternoon enjoying fantastic food and drinks in the exclusive F1 Paddock Club, where race engineers explained the pit stops and strategy, followed by a walk down the pit lane. It was an incredible and surreal experience – maybe a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Things got even better when I visited the McLaren garage, meeting Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and checking out the cars up close. Then I watched the practice session from the balcony above the pit box, listening in on Piastri and his engineer through a headset. Definitely a day I’ll never forget.
Saturday morning was for making my picks in The Allwyn League on the F1 app – more about that later – before heading to the track.
The Allwyn League is a fun new competition where fans predict key moments during a Grand Prix weekend to win cool prizes like race tickets and unique memorabilia. There’s even a grand prize of Paddock Club access at the end of the season, which I can tell you is seriously worth going for.
After submitting my predictions, I found a great spot in the grandstand for qualifying. The buzz was amazing, watching Kimi Antonelli grab another pole position right across from the famous Swimming Pool Chicane and harbor.
Even more thrilling was walking the track that evening during the public opening. Going through Casino Square and the tunnel felt like a dream I’ll never forget.
At the end of the track, I was surprised to find a lively party with a DJ, dancers, lights, and drinks flowing – an experience I’d never expected but loved.
Sunday morning brought more close-up moments in the paddock, spotting top drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Fernando Alonso. As a football fan, I was also excited to see Mats Hummels and Alan Pardew. Monaco really attracts the big names.
I didn’t bump into Kim Kardashian like Michael McIntyre, but while she got some camera time, I was in my seat for the Allwyn Formation Lap – the ultimate moment of anticipation before the race starts.
The whole weekend was full of excitement and butterflies – from the yacht ride to the McLaren garage and the pit lane. Everyone felt it: drivers, staff, and fans alike.
The formation lap is special because it’s all about anticipation. Allwyn partners with this moment as it connects F1 with the world of lottery – kind of like holding a lottery ticket just before the draw. The tension and hope are very real.
Anything can happen, as Max Verstappen showed when he stalled on the grid and had to retire on the first lap – instant drama!
But no drama for the winner, as Antonelli held onto his lead for his fifth straight win. It wasn’t easy though, with safety cars and a red flag to deal with while fending off Hamilton and extending his championship lead.
The boat horns as Antonelli crossed the finish line were a special Monaco touch, followed by the trophy celebration and a few more Kardashian shots on the big screen to close out the amazing weekend.
As for my predictions? My heart wanted Hamilton to win, not Antonelli. So, I didn’t even have Antonelli in my top three! Still, his second place earned me 18 points.
Guessing one red flag right gave me 10 more points. Even though I’m no expert, my total of 48 points put me in the top 5% of players – and there’s plenty of time to climb higher in The Allwyn League this season.
Watching Sunday’s race, hoping for a Lewis win – sorry, Kimi – made the experience even more exciting. Honestly, it was a weekend I’ll cherish forever.
By Adam Percival