My F1 Drive London Experience

From the moment you step inside, you’re no longer just a fan, you become a driver, gearing up for the ultimate race experience.

When I arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I expected an exciting karting session. What I got was a fully immersive Formula 1 experience.

From the moment I arrived, it felt like an exclusive VIP event. You cross an impressive light bridge leading to the front desk, where the staff greet you with the same energy you’d expect in a real paddock.

Before even thinking about hitting the track, I had to create my driver profile. Using one of the many tablets provided, I entered my details preparing to leave my mark on the leader-board.

Profile set, I was handed a balaclava and directed to the fitting area, where the official F1 Drive-branded racing suits hung neatly in lockers.

The staff ensured I got the right fit because, let’s be honest, if I was going to race, I wanted to look the part.

Once suited up, I was shown to the drivers’ assembly area, where we waited for our briefing.

The first thing that caught my eye was a massive "Box Box" sign, cleverly placed beside the secure lockers, a nod to F1 pit stops. To my right, a glass-walled garage revealed a pristine kart identical to the one I’d be driving, with a screen cycling through its specs and features.

This wasn’t just a display, it was the actual workshop where mechanics prepped the karts. With its spotless floors and high-tech setup, it felt more like an operating theatre than a pit lane.

A few steps further, a life-sized modern F1 car stood in F1 Drive livery, positioned next to a seating area cycling through race replays and highlight reels.

Beyond this was the spectators' area, reminiscent of a premium Champions Club at a Grand Prix. There was trackside seating, race monitors, food stalls and of course, memorabilia. A Lewis Hamilton helmet and gloves stood proudly in a glass case, alongside race suits from both male and female drivers.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I heard a commentator. Yes, they have a live commentator calling the action, adding to the authenticity of a race weekend, where you hear the screech of tyres, the roar of engines and the commentator’s voice echoing around the venue as you move through different areas.

When it was time for the driver’s briefing, we were led into a dedicated briefing room, complete with bucket seats arranged in a mini-theatre format. Then, as if this whole experience wasn’t surreal enough, David "Crofty" Croft narrated the safety briefing.

Hearing Crofty explain the rules of engagement felt like being part of an actual F1 event. The attention to detail in this experience was ridiculous in the best way possible.

At the end of the briefing, we walked through another light bridge, this time leading into the racers’ area. The whole moment felt like an F1 driver introduction segment on TV.

Helmet fitted. Heart racing. Time to qualify.

The build-up to qualifying was the highlight of the experience for me. It was the first time I was introduced to my onboard engineer, who guided me through the session - just like in Formula 1.

Through the radio, the engineer highlighted the heavy braking zones and provided a detailed rundown of the track and kart features, including the Energy Recovery System (ERS) and Drag Reduction System (DRS). These functions, activated via buttons on the steering wheel, deliver a noticeable performance boost, simulating real-world F1 mechanics.

Despite the karts being fully electric, the roar of an F1 engine firing up echoed through the kart, catching me by surprise. The added auditory element heightened the realism, creating an intense sense of anticipation.

Moments later, a familiar radio chirp sounded (The same chirp from live F1 broadcasts).

“Engine started.”

The F1 immersion was next level and I hadn’t even hit the track yet.

The kart’s handling was phenomenal. The track itself, inspired by classic F1 street circuits, featured 17 turns and two DRS zones. Overhead LED lights mapped out the racing line, making it feel like driving the F1 game with assists on.

The kart displayed real-time telemetry, tracking my sector times and purple laps. In Formula 1, colors indicate sector performance - purple for the fastest overall, yellow for a slower time, and green for a personal best. The same system was applied here.

The onboard engineer provided continuous updates on my pace, informing me when I had set the fastest lap and when my ERS was fully charged.

While the karts don’t have DRS in the traditional sense, they feature a boost function that replicates its effect. When activated, I felt an instant surge of power, accompanied by a perfectly timed sound effect.

Even more impressive? The karts replicated the sound of F1 gear shifts, accelerating and decelerating just as an actual Formula 1 car would.

I was completely immersed.

After qualifying, the session results flashed on the wheel and our race engineer confirmed our grid positions. I had a short break before the race, but my mind was still in race mode.

Back in the kart, we rolled out for a formation lap under yellow flag conditions, before stopping in our respective grid slots.

The five red lights came on, they went out, and suddenly, I was an F1 driver.

The flag system worked brilliantly, with race conditions displayed on the wheel and remote control over kart speed under yellow flags. However, I noticed a slight delay in synchronisation, meaning some drivers had a split-second advantage when racing resumed. Still, the experience delivered everything I expected—and more.

After the race, we had a full podium ceremony, complete with post-race interviews and photo ops. There was even an option to get a race album.

Honestly? I didn’t want to leave.

F1 Drive isn’t just karting - it’s the closest you can get to feeling like a real Formula 1 driver. With new locations opening worldwide, including Las Vegas, I can’t wait to see how this experience expands.

If you’re an F1 fan, this is a must.