Formula 1 Announces Toronto to Host F1 Exhibition

The Formula 1 Exhibition (CNW Group/The Formula 1 Exhibition)

The Formula 1 Exhibition and Formula 1 announced that Toronto has been selected to host the North American premiere of The F1 Exhibition.

The F1 Exhibition opens May 3 and will run until early summer at the Lighthouse ArtSpace Toronto. Boasting a range of exclusive contributions from the sport’s most legendary teams and personalities, highlights will include iconic Formula 1 race cars from different eras as well as never-seen-before artifacts and video materials, officials stated.

For the first time, visitors can also experience what it’s like to get behind the wheel of an F1 car in the state-of-the-art simulators using official F1 gaming equipment.

The exhibition’s North American debut follows a world-premiere run in Madrid, Spain, followed by a record-breaking opening in Vienna, Austria, in February. The Exhibition will provide both seasoned followers and those newer to the sport with an opportunity to engage with F1 away from the track, offering them a rare front-row seat to the thrilling world of Formula 1 and an unforgettable experience for all ages, the organization noted.

Delivering an adventure across six specially designed rooms, spanning over 20,000 square feet and in collaboration with award-winning curators, artists and filmmakers, the exhibition offers unique insights into tworld of Formula 1.

Visitors begin their 90-minute journey in Once Upon a Time In Formula 1, which features previously unseen photography, film and artifacts that transport fans through some of the sport’s most iconic and defining moments. Design Lab takes visitors into the heart of a Formula 1 factory for a rare glimpse into how teams manufacture each season’s new car.

Next, visitors will experience Drivers & Duels celebrating the most iconic drivers and legendary races since Formula 1 began in 1950. Fallen Heroes shines a light on the many drivers throughout Formula 1’s history who tragically sacrificed their lives in pursuit of success. The following gallery, Survival, covers Romain Grosjean’s horrific 150 mph crash in Bahrain 2020 and his extraordinary escape from the ensuing inferno. The gallery features a spine-tingling display of his HAAS car’s remains, alongside a new, multiscreen video installation featuring unseen interviews and footage of the crash.

The show then reaches the finale in The Pit Wall, an immersive experience that allows fans to relive the greatest moments in Formula 1 history. 

The F1 Exhibition has proven hugely successful during its visits to Madrid and Vienna and with Canada’s history and passion towards our sport, we expect that it will be popular with new and existing fans when it opens in May in Toronto. Experience has shown that it is a great way for them to connect to the sport in a different format outside of a race weekend. This first F1 Exhibition in North America reflects the incredible growth the sport has seen in the region in recent years,” said Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer, Formula 1.

“We’re excited to extend our strong partnership with Formula 1 to the Formula 1 Exhibition as it comes to Toronto. Canadians are incredibly passionate F1 fans, and as the exclusive television home of F1 in Canada – including the biggest annual sporting event in the country, the Canadian Grand Prix – we’re proud to be part of this innovative exhibition,” said Stewart Johnston, senior vice-president, sales and sports, Bell Media.

The Formula 1 Exhibition in Toronto is presented by Canada’s Sports Leader, TSN, a sports channel owned by Bell Media, and the exclusive television broadcast partner of F1 in Canada.

Pre-sale tickets for The Formula 1 Exhibition Toronto presented by TSN go on sale March 26 at 10am EDT and fans can register now at F1Exhibition.ca to be among the first to secure their entry. Tickets will go on sale to the general public March 28 at 10am EDT.

By Pat Curtin

Pat Curtin is the managing editor of THE SHOP magazine.