Welojets, an executive aviation company based in Madrid, shares how private aviation maximizes the experience of the most important motor racing championship in the world.
The 2021 Formula 1 championship was unique, exciting, and controversial, seeing Max Verstappen crowned for the first time in the category over Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This year the excitement will continue with new car designs and, why not, with a new way to experience a Grand Prix in a private plane.
It's no mystery that business aviation maximizes travel times. There is no need to arrive at the terminal earlier and the boarding process can take less than 10 minutes. Last but not least, the flexibility of being able to land on almost any runway in the world puts this segment of transportation at the top.
An unforgettable experience
Picture this: You can enjoy a relaxed breakfast on Sunday reading the latest on the race, then a driver will take you to the private terminal of your choice and in 10 minutes you will be enjoying a modern executive jet. On the plane, a lunch at 35 thousand feet of acorn fed Iberic pork and sparkling wine awaits, before landing in magical Italy with the driver waiting to go to the historic Monza circuit.
Once there, the emotion of the Grand Prix is experienced from the exclusivity of the Paddock Club, to then close the day with a relaxed dinner at home after the return flight, with everything ready to start a great week. A truly unmissable experience.
The fact of being able to enjoy the event by day is something that only executive aviation can offer, especially in short and medium-haul trips in Europe, home to more than half of the Formula One circuits in 2022, making the flight the perfect opportunity to enjoy each stage comfortably and without worries.
Welojets, a private jet company based in Madrid, shares what is the best way to fly in an executive plane to the venues with the highest demand for flights in Europe, starting from the Spanish capital, Madrid, as a reference for flight times and costs.
Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
The region where the Ferrari team was born in Maranello, a town in the province of Modena in Emilia-Romagna, is the perfect stop to start Formula One in Europe. From the Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), dedicated largely to executive aviation, it is just under 2.30 hours of flight to Forli Airport (FRL), the closest to Imola, where the circuit is located. A flight on the Madrid – Imola route aboard a Citation CJ2 for six passengers starts at EUR 10,750.
Where: Imola, Italy When: April 24
Spanish Grand Prix
Another race with an important track record is held at the Barcelona-Catalonia circuit, in Montmeló, with 50 editions to date. And it is not surprising that in Spain it is one of the most visited races from the capital. The best way to get there is via the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, on a flight that lasts 1.20 hours from Madrid. A trip on this route aboard a Hawker 400XP for 7 passengers can cost EUR 6,300.
Where: Barcelona, Spain When: May 22
Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco prize is possibly the most famous and prestigious circuit of all. Just one week after Barcelona, it brings together sports fans and international celebrities alike, mainly due to all that Monte Carlo, its venue, has to offer before and after the race. The closest airport from Madrid is Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE), just over two hours by plane from the Spanish capital. Once there, it is common for passengers to rent a helicopter from Nice to Monaco, where they can enjoy the impressive sceneries on the route.
The flight in a Citation II for eight passengers between Madrid and Nice starts at EUR 9,350 for the charter of the entire plane.
Where: Monte Carlo, Monaco When: May 29
British Grand Prix
History and tradition. Along with the Italian Grand Prix, it has hosted every Formula One season since its inception in 1950, although the award itself dates back to 1926 as a motorsport race. How to get to Silverstone in Northamptonshire from Madrid? Via London Luton Airport (LTN) on a 2.20-hour flight, one of the busiest private airports in Europe. The price of renting a complete plane for the family, aboard a Learjet 45XR starts at EUR 13,850 for 9 people.
Where: Silverstone, England When: July 03
Italian Grand Prix
Italy again. And of course, in addition to having two of the most exciting races on the circuit, it is a beautiful destination to spend a weekend with friends and family. Monza is another of the venues that emanates tradition, being from year one an official circuit of the championship. From Madrid, the closest terminal to Monza is Linate International Airport (LIN). For this route, a comfortable plane for seven passengers is the Piaggio Avanti II, priced at EUR 9,200.
Where: Monza, Italy When: September 11
Other circuits to arrive by private jet
There are other venues that also generate a lot of demand from Spain for executive flights on the continent, led by the French Grand Prix at the end of July, also with a lot of history and tradition, the Austrian Grand Prix at the beginning of the same month, and the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August, at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
The flexibility that business aviation offers is unparalleled, especially when the commercial counterpart still has several setbacks in its itineraries. Being able to travel with the whole family in a controlled and safe environment, in times of pandemic, and enjoying Formula 1 throughout Europe according to the times and needs of each travel group, is the essence that defines this industry, one which is expected to continue registering historical demand numbers in 2022. Plan ahead and enjoy a great experience!
