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The latest Formula 1 experience being offered to wealthy fans is honestly one that I never saw coming. I’ve seen the trailers hauling Paddock Club guests around the track during the race weekend, the pit walks, and the Hot Laps. But this? A container turned into a luxurious restaurant, put on the back of a flat-bed truck and driven around an F1 track while guests dine? Nope, I never saw that one coming.
It’s called “The Outlap,” and it’s the newest offering by one of the sport’s biggest partners, the liquor and luxury giant Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. In a nutshell, it’s a rolling fine-dining experience complete with renowned chefs, locally curated menus, bespoke beverages by LVMH, and even a storytelling F1 ambassador for the night. It’s not disclosed who that is, but the photos on the F1 Hospitality site show Mika Hakkinen and Jacques Villeneuve.
Per the release: The Out Lap takes guests on an immersive journey aboard a traveling dining room moving directly through the circuit. Accommodating just twelve guests, the experience unfolds across a bespoke route designed around each Grand Prix, stopping at the circuit’s most legendary locations. At every stop, the story of the track comes alive through the memories of a former racing driver, whose personal perspective offers a unique window into the defining moments of the sport. Each chapter is interpreted through an exclusive culinary creation imagined by one of the world’s leading chefs and paired with exceptional wines and spirits from the Moët Hennessy portfolio, creating an experience where gastronomy and racing history become inseparable. Every edition of The Out Lap is unique. Each circuit inspires its own route, its own stories and its own culinary identity, ensuring that no two experiences are ever the same.
Sure, this screams elitism and 1% vibes, but then again, that’s F1 for ya. And for what it’s worth, who wouldn’t want to share a nice dinner with a former F1 champion? The one bit I’m not sure about is the whole experience taking place in the back of a semi-truck that’s driving around an F1 track. I mean, I already get carsick easily even when I’m not focusing on a particular task, so I can’t imagine that eating, drinking, holding a conversation, or having to visually fixate on stuff while the restaurant is in motion would be enjoyable for me. Especially at a track with loads of elevation changes like Spa, where The Outlap debuted over the weekend.
Pricing for this experience was not disclosed, but given how exclusive and intimate it is, I can’t imagine it’s even close to affordable—and I’m already factoring in that, in order to buy a seat on The Outlap, you very likely have to be a Paddock Club pass holder. It’s essentially an add-on experience for Paddock Club buyers, and it’s taking place only during European races this year.
I suppose that when the average three-day Paddock Club ticket runs anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000, depending on the venue, what’s another few grand for a unique dinner? If you’re reading this and have already done it or plan on doing it, I’d love to hear about it.
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As deputy editor, Jerry draws on a decade of industry experience and a lifelong passion for motorsports to guide The Drive’s short- and long-term coverage.
