F1 driving experience: driving a Formula 1 car, a dream within reach!

For many motorsport enthusiasts — and you are probably one of them if you are reading this article — driving a Formula 1 car on a race circuit is the ultimate fantasy. For a long time, it seemed completely out of reach. F1 cars were reserved for professional drivers, private team test sessions, or a handful of highly exclusive programmes such as Ferrari’s F1 Clienti programme 👌

In reality, however, buying a Formula 1 car and accessing this kind of programme remains completely out of reach for the vast majority of enthusiasts, mainly due to the acquisition, maintenance and operating costs associated with these machines 🤑

See also: “Buying a Formula 1 car : it’s possible !”

Fortunately, there is a far more accessible alternative: Formula 1 driving experiences, which allow you to enjoy part of those sensations without owning a single-seater.

Today, several private companies offer this type of F1 driving experience, giving participants the opportunity to drive a genuine Formula 1 car on a race circuit.

View Available F1 Driving Experiences

These programmes allow amateurs to get behind the wheel of a Grand Prix single-seater, in a professionally supervised environment. For many, it is quite simply a dream come true 😍

Of course, this type of experience cannot be improvised. A Formula 1 car remains an extremely demanding machine to drive, even if it is several years old. The cars used during these programmes are not current-generation Formula 1 cars. The most recent examples typically date back around a decade, sometimes slightly more, and do not feature the complex hybrid power units of modern F1 machinery. Rest assured: this is still more than enough to experience the performance level of a Formula 1 car 😳

These days almost always follow the same principle: a step-by-step progression, with driving sessions in more accessible single-seaters before finally reaching the ultimate goal — driving the Formula 1 car itself for a few laps.

ℹ️ Another important point: the price can vary significantly depending on the organiser, the circuit, and the car offered. Entry-level packages start at around €2,000, while some premium experiences can easily exceed €10,000 💸

In this article, we will look at where you can drive a Formula 1 car, how these experiences are structured, and what budget to expect. The aim is to provide a clear comparison of the main F1 driving experiences, in France and abroad: circuits used, cars available, day format, and pricing.

👉 If the idea of driving a Formula 1 car one day has ever crossed your mind, you will see that this dream is no longer reserved exclusively for professional racing drivers 😉

Can You Really Drive a Genuine Formula 1 Car?

The answer is yes… but with a few nuances.

The driving experiences offered today do allow participants to drive genuine Formula 1 single-seaters, some of which have actually competed in the Formula 1 World Championship. These are typically cars from the 1990s and 2000s, and sometimes from the early 2010s.

📷 LRS Formula / Stephane Abergel

You may encounter chassis such as:

• Benetton B198
• Prost AP04
• Arrows A18 and A23
• Jordan EJ12
• Jaguar R1
• or even V8-era Williams cars such as the FW32

These cars are not replicas nor entry-level single-seaters: they are authentic Formula 1 cars, simply adapted for use within customer driving programmes. The engines are sometimes slightly modified or detuned to improve reliability, but the sensations remain very close — if not identical — to those of a true Formula 1 car 💨

For an amateur driver, the performance level is more than enough to understand the sheer demands of these machines. And let’s be honest: it is impossible to reach the true limit of a car like this in just a handful of laps 🥵

📷 LRS Formula

Even if they are several years old, these cars remain extremely impressive. Depending on the model, output still ranges from 500 to over 700 horsepower for a weight of around 600 kg. The acceleration, braking performance, and aerodynamic downforce are far beyond what most amateur drivers have ever experienced — even the more seasoned ones 🔥

This is precisely why organisers almost never put you straight into the Formula 1 car. Before that, participants usually go through a preparation phase in more accessible single-seaters to get comfortable and learn the circuit 👍

See also: “BOSS GP Racing Series: keeping yesterday's fastest single-seaters alive”

How Does a Formula 1 Driving Experience Work?

Although each organiser has its own specifics, a Formula 1 driving experience generally follows a similar structure. The objective is to allow an amateur driver — sometimes with no prior motorsport experience — to drive an extremely high-performance single-seater in safe and progressive conditions.

The day usually begins with the welcome and registration on the circuit, followed by a safety and driving briefing. Instructors cover the basics of single-seater driving, safety procedures, and the technical operation of the cars. Key concepts such as racing lines, braking points, and throttle control are also discussed 👨‍🎓

Before heading out on track, participants are fitted with the required equipment: race suit, helmet, balaclava, HANS device, gloves, and racing boots. One or more sighting laps of the circuit are usually completed, often in a road car or a minibus, to visualise the racing lines and main braking zones.

In any case, you do not start directly in the Formula 1 car.

📷 LRS Formula

Organisers almost always schedule several track sessions in more accessible single-seaters as preparation. This helps drivers get used to the very low seating position, limited visibility, direct steering, and the responses of a true race car.

Depending on the driving school, these cars are often Formula Renault or Formula 4 single-seaters.

See also: “Formula 4 France: technical specifications and budget”

These initial sessions allow participants to build confidence, learn the circuit, and listen to the instructors’ feedback before moving to the next stage. And make no mistake: a Formula 4 or Formula Renault is already a very capable single-seater 🔥

➡️ View all single-seater listings on GoToTheGrid 😉

Once this phase is complete, the most anticipated moment of the day finally arrives: getting behind the wheel of the Formula 1 car.

Participants usually complete only a few laps, typically between three and ten depending on the package. It may seem limited, but running a Formula 1 car remains extremely expensive: engine maintenance, tyres, technical crew, safety requirements… all of this explains why the track time is relatively short 💸

After the track sessions, a debrief is often offered with the instructors. Some organisers also present a certificate of completion, and it is sometimes possible to purchase an onboard video as a souvenir of the experience 🎥

Depending on the programme, some packages also include a passenger ride in a two-seater or three-seater Formula 1 car, allowing you to experience the true performance potential of the car with a professional racing driver at the wheel.

📷 LRS Formula

Formula 1 Driving Experiences in France

France is clearly one of the most attractive destinations for this type of experience. Several specialised operators now offer the opportunity to drive a genuine Formula 1 car on a race circuit 🇫🇷

Most of these programmes take place on iconic motorsport venues such as Magny-Cours or Paul Ricard, although some organisations also operate at additional facilities.

Here are the main operators currently offering the chance to drive a Formula 1 car in France 👇

LRS Formula

LRS Formula is probably the best-known company worldwide when it comes to Formula 1 driving experiences. The company is led by former French driver Laurent Redon, who competed in Formula 1 as a test driver for Minardi and Benetton, and later raced in IndyCar in the early 2000s.

The company offers several experience levels, ranging from introductory packages to more comprehensive programmes.

The current calendar includes dates at Magny-Cours (both the Grand Prix and Club layouts) as well as at Barcelona 🌍

Among the single-seaters operated by LRS Formula are three Prost AP04 cars from the 2001 season, originally entered by the Prost Grand Prix team, a Benetton B198 from 1998, and more recent Formula 1 machinery such as the Williams FW32 from the 2010 season.

📷 LRS Formula

The Prost AP04 genuinely competed in the Formula 1 World Championship, achieving, among other results, a 4th place finish at the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. For customer programmes, the original Ferrari engines have been replaced with Cosworth V8 or V10 units, better suited to regular track use.

The Benetton B198, originally driven by Alexander Wurz and Giancarlo Fisichella, was initially powered by a Mecachrome V10. For driving experiences, it runs a 3.5-litre Cosworth V8 producing approximately 600 bhp.

LRS Formula also operates Williams FW32 cars from the 2010 season, built at the team’s Grove factory and powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre Cosworth V8, in line with the technical regulations of the era. These cars were raced in the World Championship by Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hülkenberg.

In other words, every car operated by LRS carries a genuine Grand Prix pedigree. Output ranges between 650 and 750 horsepower 🔥

In terms of pricing, the most accessible packages start at €1,980, while the most comprehensive experiences can exceed €18,000, depending on the circuit, the car selected, and the number of laps included 💸

ℹ️ LRS Formula also offers three-seater Formula 1 passenger rides, developed from modified Larrousse chassis to accommodate two passengers behind the driver, allowing participants to experience the sensations of a Formula 1 car with a professional racing driver at the wheel 😍

Winfield Racing School

The Winfield Racing School, now based at the Circuit Paul Ricard, is one of the most historic driving schools in French motorsport. Founded in 1964, the school famously organised the Volant Winfield, a competition designed to uncover new racing talent.

Over the decades, more than 30,000 aspiring drivers from around the world have passed through its programmes. Several went on to become major figures in motorsport, including Alain Prost, Jacques Laffite, Didier Pironi, and Damon Hill 🏆

Today, the school continues this tradition of driver development and supports promising young talents emerging from its programmes, such as Théo Pourchaire, Isack Hadjar, Doriane Pin, and Arthur Leclerc.

Winfield benefits from a prime location directly at the Circuit Paul Ricard, with facilities offering immediate access to the famous Mistral straight.

Winfield Racing School previously offered a particularly exclusive F1 Driving Experience programme, in partnership with a Formula 1 team, allowing participants to drive genuine Grand Prix single-seaters.

These experiences notably featured the Lotus E20, a Formula 1 car that competed in the 2012 World Championship, powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre V8 engine.

The experience typically ran over a full day, with a limited number of participants to ensure highly personalised coaching.

The programme included:

• multiple track sessions in Formula 4
• a driving session in a Formula 1 car
• and a two-seater F1 passenger ride with a professional driver

The sessions took place at the Circuit Paul Ricard, one of the most modern circuits in Europe and a historic Formula 1 World Championship venue.

In terms of pricing, this experience was offered at around €13,500 excl. VAT, making it one of the most premium packages available to drive a Formula 1 car 💸

ℹ️ This programme is currently no longer available. However, the organisation is working on a new F1 Driving Experience concept, based on even more modern single-seaters, with an even greater focus on performance and exclusivity. At this stage, the project remains under development, with a target launch towards late 2026 / early 2027 😋

AGS Formula 1

The history of AGS (Automobiles Gonfaronnaises Sportives) dates back to the 1980s. Founded by Henri Julien, the team competed in the Formula 1 World Championship between 1986 and 1992. After its time in Grand Prix racing, AGS gradually specialised in the organisation of Formula 1 driving experiences.

The team’s facilities are located in Gonfaron, in the south of France, with direct access to the Circuit du Var, a private track that now serves as the main venue for its programmes. Depending on the package or upon request, certain experiences can also be organised at other circuits such as Cremona in Italy or the Circuit Paul Ricard.

Since 2019, the structure has been taken over by Willy Collignon, owner of the First Motorsport team, with the objective of giving AGS a new momentum while enhancing its motorsport heritage.

In terms of cars, AGS operates two different single-seaters. The Formula 1 experiences are conducted in historic F1 cars powered by Cosworth engines producing around 550 bhp, such as a Prost Grand Prix chassis or an Arrows from the era.

The programmes are mainly run at the Circuit du Var and allow participants to complete one or several stints in a Formula 1 car.

Pricing starts at €4,600 incl. VAT for 6 laps in F1, €5,900 incl. VAT for two stints of 6 laps, and can reach €7,200 incl. VAT for three driving stints 💰

Formula 1 Driving Experiences Abroad

There are also several operators outside France offering Formula 1 driving experiences. Here are a few examples.

Puresport F1 Experience

Puresport is one of the most renowned operators for driving a Formula 1 car in Europe. Based in Italy, the company offers experiences at several high-profile circuits such as Monza, Imola, Mugello, Spa-Francorchamps, Hockenheim, and the Red Bull Ring in Austria 🏁

Participants can drive an Arrows A18, a single-seater that notably competed in the Formula 1 World Championship with Damon Hill. The car remains famous for its performance at the 1997 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Hill led much of the race before finishing second after a late mechanical issue.

The car is now powered by a Cosworth V8 engine producing approximately 500 horsepower.

Observed pricing typically starts at around €4,300 for 3 laps, and can exceed €10,000 for 10 laps. These packages also include 10 laps in a Formula 3 car as part of the experience.

These programmes attract an international clientele travelling specifically to Europe to enjoy a genuine F1 Driving Experience 🌍

Drift Limits – Jordan F1 Experience

In the United Kingdom, Drift Limits offers a unique opportunity: driving a Jordan EJ12, a Formula 1 car that competed in the 2002 Formula 1 World Championship season.

The car used is chassis number 1, originally driven by Takuma Sato. The original Honda V10 engine has been replaced with a 3.0-litre Judd V10 producing approximately 600 bhp, making the car more suitable for customer driving programmes.

Interestingly, this is reportedly the only Jordan EJ12 chassis still in running condition today, with the other example displayed at the Honda Museum.

The experience takes place at Bovingdon Airfield, a former airfield converted into a driving venue featuring multiple layouts for exercises and track sessions.

Before stepping into the Formula 1 car, participants complete several driving exercises and typically drive a F1000 single-seater or an Ariel Atom, in order to familiarise themselves with high-performance machinery.

Once this preparation phase is completed, they can drive several laps in the Jordan EJ12, a car producing around 600 bhp for 600 kg, delivering sensations very close to those of a true Formula 1 car.

Depending on the package, prices generally range between £1,500 and £2,900, with different levels of experience and track time available 💷

Dubai Autodrome – F1 Experience

For those looking for an even more exotic setting, the Dubai Autodrome also offers a programme allowing participants to drive a Formula 1 car 🌴

This Dubai F1 Experience attracts many enthusiasts from around the world who travel specifically to enjoy the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car on a race circuit.

The experience takes place on the Club Circuit, a 2.460 km (1.529-mile) layout specially used for this type of activity.

Two single-seaters are typically used for this experience: a 2000 Jaguar R1 and a 2002 Arrows A23 😋

Both cars competed in the Formula 1 World Championship and were driven at the time by Eddie Irvine and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

Before stepping into the F1 car, participants go through several preparation stages:

• circuit reconnaissance driving a BMW 330i
• approximately 10 minutes in a Radical sportscar to learn the racing lines
• technical briefing with the instructors

Once this phase is complete, participants can complete three laps in the Formula 1 car, an experience that allows them to feel the acceleration and power of these Grand Prix single-seaters.

The full experience lasts around 1 hour 30 minutes, including briefing, track sessions, and final debrief.

The listed price for this experience is approximately 9,995 AED (around €2,300), with the option to add additional laps during booking 💸

Driving a Formula 1 Car: A Truly Unique Experience

Driving a real Formula 1 car remains a very special experience in the world of motorsport. Even though these programmes are now accessible to the public, they remain relatively rare and require a significant budget 😏

Beyond the price or the number of laps, what truly makes these experiences unique is the car itself. The single-seaters used are not simple replicas: they are often genuine Grand Prix chassis that competed in the World Championship and were sometimes driven by well-known Formula 1 drivers.

Sitting in that tight cockpit, just a few centimetres above the ground, behind the wheel of a machine producing several hundred horsepower for barely 600 kg, delivers sensations that are difficult to compare with anything else.

Even just a few laps are usually enough to understand why Formula 1 remains the pinnacle of motorsport 🏁

For many enthusiasts, these programmes are above all the opportunity to fulfil a dream: driving, even for a few minutes, a true Grand Prix car steeped in history 🤩

FAQ: Driving a Formula 1 Car (Price, Requirements, Format)

Can you really drive a Formula 1 car without being a professional driver?

Yes. Several companies now offer Formula 1 driving experiences open to amateurs. Participants are supervised by professional instructors and go through a preparation phase in more accessible single-seaters before driving the F1 car.

Although the cars used are not always from the latest generation, they are genuine Formula 1 chassis, many of which competed in the World Championship.

How much does a Formula 1 driving experience cost?

Prices vary significantly depending on the organiser, the circuit, and the car used.

In general, the following ranges can be observed:

• from €2,000 for the most accessible experiences
• between €4,000 and €7,000 for more comprehensive programmes
• over €10,000 for certain premium experiences

The number of laps in the Formula 1 car is often limited, as maintenance and operation costs are extremely high.

How many laps do you complete in a Formula 1 car?

Most programmes offer between 3 and 10 laps in a Formula 1 car.

This may seem limited, but these cars are physically demanding, particularly on the neck and arms, and operating costs are high. Organisers therefore usually complement the experience with sessions in a Formula Renault or Formula 4.

Do you need prior circuit experience?

No. These programmes are designed for amateur drivers, although prior track experience can obviously be an advantage.

Instructors explain the fundamentals of driving and guide participants throughout the day.

Can a Formula 1 driving experience be offered as a gift?

Yes. Most organisations offer gift vouchers for this type of experience 🎁

Formula 1 driving experiences are often purchased for special occasions such as:

• a birthday
• a retirement celebration
• a corporate gift
• or simply to fulfil a lifelong dream

Are passenger rides in a Formula 1 car also available?

Yes, some operators also offer Formula 1 passenger rides, typically in two-seater or three-seater single-seaters, such as those operated by LRS Formula.

In this case, the participant is a passenger with a professional racing driver at the wheel. It is a different way to experience the sensations of an F1 car, often at a more accessible price point.

Are there physical requirements to drive a Formula 1 car?

Yes, most organisers impose certain limits for safety reasons and cockpit size constraints.

Common requirements include:

• a valid driving licence
• maximum height around 1.85 to 1.90 m
• maximum weight between 100 and 110 kg

These limits may vary depending on the single-seater used.

What is the minimum age to drive a Formula 1 car?

Most organisers require participants to be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. Some require a minimum age of 21.

Certain experiences may accept younger participants, but this remains rare, as the performance of these single-seaters requires a certain level of maturity and strict supervision.

Where can you drive a Formula 1 car in France?

Several organisations currently offer this type of experience in France, including:

• LRS Formula
• Winfield Racing School
• AGS Formula 1

Experiences may take place on well-known circuits such as Magny-Cours or Paul Ricard, as well as on private facilities depending on the programme.

Can you drive a Formula 1 car on a Grand Prix circuit?

Yes, certain experiences allow you to drive on circuits that have hosted Formula 1 Grands Prix, such as Monza, Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, or the Red Bull Ring, depending on the organiser.

In France, some experiences also take place at Magny-Cours or Paul Ricard, two historic Formula 1 World Championship venues.

What speed can a Formula 1 car reach during an experience?

Even though the cars used during these programmes are not always pushed to their absolute limits, a Formula 1 car can easily exceed 250 to 300 km/h, depending on the circuit.

Acceleration and braking performance remain far superior to those of a typical road-going sports car.

Can you drive a current-generation Formula 1 car?

No. The single-seaters used in these experiences are generally historic Formula 1 cars dating from the 1990s to 2010.

Current Formula 1 cars are extremely complex and are reserved exclusively for Formula 1 teams and professional drivers.