Formula 1 and videoconferencing platform Zoom are offering a new Virtual Paddock Club to replace the real-world experience while normal activities are suspended due to the pandemic.
The sport is unable to offer its lucrative, high-end Paddock Club hospitality packages as a result of the restrictions brought in to hold F1 races without spectators. It has therefore teamed up with Zoom, which has experienced a boom in use due to the sudden rise in people working from home.The first Virtual Paddock Club experiences, including contact with famous figures within the sport and live updates from the Red Bull Ring, were offered during the Styrian Grand Prix weekend. More will follow over the remainder of the first eight races which have been confirmed on the reorganised 2020 F1 calendar.
“We understood the opportunity Zoom presented to us, which was about delivering a live sporting experience for guests despite the fact much of sport is currently behind closed doors,” said F1’s director of commercial partnerships Ben Pincus.
“Zoom by its very nature is about enabling and connecting businesses remotely and this partnership, which has been developed virtually, is an example of just that. We are excited to work with Zoom to continue to connect businesses and their VIPs through this virtual hospitality experience.
“We hope this will be the first of many innovations we roll out in the coming months for our partners. Over the past few months, through Project Pitlane and Virtual Grand Prix races, we have seen the ability to innovate is imperative as we collectively adapt to an environment that continues to evolve.”
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jmlabareda
16th July 2020, 10:14
how much does it cost? just curious
Charles King (@charleski)
16th July 2020, 11:26
Pfft, if you have to ask …
It does seem odd, though that there’s no indication of how you’d go about signing up. The Paddock Club page at formula1.com just lists passes for the Italian GP in Sept (sold out) and Abu Dhabi in Nov (not yet on sale). Maybe you have to be an accredited Rich Person to get an invite for this. They do need to keep the hoi polloi out, after all.
playstation361
16th July 2020, 12:21
I know these guys use very good technology always.
JungleMartin
16th July 2020, 12:52
Ooh yes, please relieve me of lots of money in return for the opportunity to ignore the on track action.
Why did nobody think of doing this remotely before! No longer is ignoring the track the privilege only of those who are there!