Asia offers best value for F1 fans – study

Asian Formula One fans get a better deal than their counterparts elsewhere in the world, according to a new study that reveals the average cost of attending a Grand Prix.

Ahead of this weekend’s Singapore GP, TripAdvisor has unveiled its list of average F1 spectator costs, taking into account the price of five essential items, from the most affordable race-day ticket to the priciest pint of beer.

And taking into account all five costs – tickets, hotel, burger, beer and soda – Asia was found to be home to the three cheapest F1 races. The Malaysian GP at Sepang was found to have a total average race-day cost of just SG$206.85 (approximately US$164), followed by the Chinese GP in Shanghai (SG$247.77) and Japanese GP at Suzuka (SG$318.78).

Unfortunately for fans heading to this weekend’s race, the Singapore GP is only 13th on the list, with an average race-day cost of SG$622.67. The Abu Dhabi GP is most expensive, at a staggering SG$1,319.23 per person.

In terms of the race-day ticket alone, Malaysia was again found to be the most affordable, with an average of just SG$39.12 – much cheaper than second placed Shanghai (SG$87.94) and third placed Bahrain (SG$98.98). Again, Abu Dhabi was the most expensive at SG$741.28.

The highest hotel rates are in Monte Carlo

Shanghai has found to have the cheapest average nightly rates for hotels close to the circuit, at SG$124.53, ahead of Suzuka (SG$128.79) and KL (SG$141.24). Accommodation in Monte Carlo for the Monaco GP was priciest, at SG$584.31 per night.

The price of a burger ranged from SG$6.09 at Suzuka to SG$36.26 at Monza for the Italian GP, while a pint of beer cost just SG$3.20 at the Hungarian GP in Budapest, compared to SG$13.58 in Singapore. Finally, a soda was cheapest in Budapest (SG$2.64) and most expensive in Monte Carlo (SG$6.93).

But of course, it is impossible to take into account the value for money offered by each race, including the excitement of the racing action. For example, Suzuka has played host to several title deciders over the years, while the Canadian and Belgian GPs in Montreal and Spa-Francochamps often produce thrilling races.

With six more races to go this season and a tight battle for the driver’s championship, it remains to be seen which GP will produce the best value for spectators.