Walk through the pages of F1 history at London exhibition

4th October 2024

The Excel showcases a journey that traverses triumph, scandal, innovation, and safety, while also honouring the many lives saved - and lost - through the sport’s evolution.

Why search for Formula 1’s rich history online when you can literally walk through its pages in real life? writes Damian Hall.

That’s exactly what the Formula 1 Exhibition at London’s Excel offers, a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the sport’s history, its scandals, technological advances, and the stories of lives lost and saved by the progression of safety measures.

It’s like stepping into your own Google search results, where the facts, figures, and iconic moments of F1 come alive right before your eyes. Just remember: don’t touch the exhibits!

From the moment I entered the exhibition and saw ‘Once upon a time in Formula 1’ emblazoned across the wall, I knew I was about to embark on a journey unlike any other.

Armed with a headset and remote, I was free to explore the vast display at my own pace, deciding when and where I wanted to dive deeper into the stories of the sport. The headset and remote allows you to control what displays you want to learn more about, offering audio and visual presentations at your command. It’s an immersive way to hear and see F1’s history come to life without being distracted by other visitors, ensuring a personalized experience.

From the legendary ‘Sharknose’ Ferrari 156 of 1961 to the modern marvels of Sir Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes W09, I took my time, strolling among the iconic machines. It was like walking through a timeline of greatness.

Each car told its own story, and allowed you to get so close you could almost feel the history radiating off them. The temptation to touch was almost too much, with signs everywhere reminding me to resist!

Once confined to video games and simulators, these vehicles now stood just an arm’s length away, breathing life into the legends I had only read about. Seeing the McLaren MP4/14 from 1999 up close felt surreal, as if I’d stepped into a racing dream. I had to pull myself away from reaching out to touch the sleek curves of the Lotus 72 and the historically significant Williams FW07-C, the car that won the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix in 1981,an event that took place before I was born, but one I hope to attend in the current era.

For history buffs and technology enthusiasts alike, this exhibition captures the essence of F1. It’s a journey that traverses triumph, scandal, innovation, and safety, while also honouring the many lives saved and lost through the sport’s evolution.

One of the most impressive parts of the exhibition is how transparent it is about the sport’s history, including its scandals. F1 is a world full of glory and excitement, but it hasn’t been without controversy. The exhibition doesn’t shy away from those darker moments, presenting them openly for fans to understand the complexities of the sport.

The technical section was another standout. Seeing the Mercedes 2019 Power Unit, the engine that powered Hamilton to yet another world title up close was remarkable.

Hearing about F1’s hybrid technology is one thing, but standing in front of the sheer complexity of its design is a whole different experience.

From aerodynamics to Pirelli tyres, every element of F1 technology was laid bare for fans to marvel at.

Then came the room that truly stopped me in my tracks; suspended in mid-air were life-sized models of drivers in their racing positions, each wearing the safety gear of their time. From the polo shirts and goggles of early F1 racers to the cutting-edge gear of today’s drivers, the display made me appreciate just how far F1 has come in terms of safety. It’s a poignant reminder of the sport’s dangerous beginnings and its ongoing commitment to driver protection.

This room also hit home the financial realities of the sport. The signage ‘Talent + Family xx Sponsors’, made it clear that while talent is crucial, sponsorship is what ultimately propels a driver to F1’s pinnacle. It’s a reality that settles some driver-market debates once and for all.

For me, the emotional connection came when I saw the prominence of Sir Lewis Hamilton’s journey in the exhibition. As the sport’s only Black driver, his story is extraordinary. His face, displayed in larger-than-life proportions, filled me with pride. His presence at this exhibition was not just a celebration of his talent but a recognition of his place in shaping the sport as it stands today. Seeing Hamilton represented so significantly, I couldn’t help but feel proud to see someone who looked like me reflected at the heart of F1’s narrative.

The exhibition also had plenty of fun, interactive elements. One of my personal favourites was the F1 steering wheel display, where you could press buttons and rotate the wheel to learn what each control did. It made me appreciate just how complex it is to pilot a modern F1 car. Another highlight was the reaction time game, where you can test your reflexes against a friend by reacting to the famous five red lights going out.

But it wasn’t all fun and games. The exhibit also honoured the harrowing 2020 crash of Romain Grosjean, with the wreckage of his car displayed beside a video replay of the incident. Standing next to the charred remains of his car was chilling. Yet, it’s a powerful reminder of how far F1 safety has progressed, enabling Grosjean to walk away from such a catastrophic event.

The exhibition ended with an adrenaline rush, a pit wall display that’s hard to describe without experiencing it for yourself. It’s a sensory overload, capturing the intensity of real-time race strategy in a way that left me awestruck.

Before leaving, there is the option to test your own racing skills on a simulator, driving around a virtual F1 circuit. For anyone who hasn’t experienced sim racing esports or doesn’t have their own rig at home, it’s a must-try.

This exhibition wasn’t just about seeing memorabilia; it was about stepping into F1’s past and present, with a glimpse into the future. It’s an experience that leaves you with a deeper understanding of the sport and its heroes.

I’m already planning my next visit, and if you’re a true motorsport fan, you won’t want to miss it.