F1 to offer discounted seat tickets to minorities
F1 is planning to make discounted grandstand tickets available to minorities to give them a chance to attend their expensive races that they would not otherwise be able to afford.
“We know that attending an F1 event can be expensive,” said F1 director of strategy and business Yath Gangakumaran during the inaugural Autosport International Connect.
“It’s slightly different, obviously in that you’re paying for three days and several hours worth of content across a weekend versus say a football match which is just 90 minutes on one day. That being said, it’s still a significant outlay.
“As part of our second pillar about sustainable events by 2025, a key component is working with each of the promoters to see where we can ensure that people from the local community, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds are able to access the events at either a heavily discounted rate or free of charge.
“That is something that is being worked through with the different promoters. It will take time, and obviously everyone is coming out of a coronavirus situation which has really hit hard event operates.
“But that is something we are working on with the promoters as we work on meeting our goals for 2025.”
“This year one of the big things we’re executing on is a dramatic reduction in single-use plastics within the pit and paddock,” said Gangakumaran.
“We control the pit and paddock, so we’ve got more of an opportunity to impact that short term, and we’ve got all 10 teams, the FIA and Pirelli to agree to this as well.
“From Bahrain testing, you’re going to see different operations in place from the vast majority of us, and actually come Spain, all of the members that I’ve just mentioned will have plans in place to ensure there is dramatic reduction in single-use plastic bottles, but also cutlery and crockery when you go to canteens etc.
“At the same time, our promoters are also working on their plans to ensure in future fan zones in the wider circuit can also reduce their single-use plastics.
“In fact, Bahrain this year is implementing recycling and has invested in recycling infrastructure for the first time ever, and they’re not just going to do that for the F1 race, they’re going to do it year-round.
“It is a nice small example of how we as a sport can have a positive impact on a location, not just when we’re there for the week or so, but actually beyond our time in that country.”