London: The cost of attending one Formula 1 race is pricey enough, but is it possible to attend all 24 grands prix this season on a £20,000 budget? One British fan thinks it can be done. Brandon Burgess, 29, set off on his epic journey across five continents and 21 countries in March, hoping to show fans that it is achievable to enjoy the sport many consider a rich man's game.
According to BBC, Burgess, who has been an F1 fan since the age of two, shared his enthusiasm at the Dutch Grand Prix, saying, "It's been my ultimate dream." After attending the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest, which was round 14, Burgess had £9,221 left in his budget and 12 days of annual leave remaining. Burgess's journey is fueled by the adrenaline of triple-headers and back-to-back grands prix, with the next race in Italy at Monza just around the corner.
To manage his limited budget, Burgess varies the number of days he attends each event. For instance, in the Netherlands, he opted for two days of track action, attending Saturday's qualifying and Sunday's race. The British Grand Prix in July provided some financial relief as Burgess was able to stay in his flat in London and commute to Silverstone. Despite tight finances, he remains optimistic about completing his mission, stating, "It's going to be very tight," but the European leg of the campaign has been beneficial.
Burgess faces a critical phase with upcoming races in Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, and Las Vegas before the finale in Abu Dhabi in December. He has made rough calculations for expenses but acknowledges uncertainties in transport and food costs. "I want to do it for the £20K, but if I have to, I have got some spare funds just in case," he says.
While attending the Zandvoort race, Burgess saved money by staying in a capsule hostel. In Austria, sharing accommodation costs with his girlfriend Ellie also helped. The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka required a quick trip to minimize expenses, while the Australian Grand Prix and China were strategically linked to save costs. Burgess documents his journey on Instagram, which occasionally offers him accommodations, though he tries to keep the experience authentic.
Burgess's professional commitments also require strategic planning. He worked remotely during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and avoided flying home between Bahrain and Saudi to cut costs. Aston Martin noticed his challenge and rewarded him with a garage and paddock tour in Saudi, which Burgess described as a "dream come true." The connections he has made with fans worldwide have been another highlight of his journey.
Burgess, a lifelong Ferrari fan, hopes to witness a Ferrari grand prix win, particularly one for Charles Leclerc. "If I go to every race and I don't see one Ferrari win, that's going to be quite unbelievable," he says.