Calling all motorheads! A spectacular new exhibition that has already dazzled fans in Madrid, Spain and Vienna, Austria is making its North American debut in Toronto, and it’s going to be an immersive journey into all things Formula One.
The F1 exhibition will open in the city on May 3, and fans of what some have called one of the fastest-growing sports in the world will be able to test out F1 cars using state-of-the-art stimulators and official gaming equipment.
The experience debuted in Madrid, where it became Spain’s biggest-selling temporary show in 2023, and with the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal this year almost entirely selling out, there’s clearly growing demand for the sport on our side of the Atlantic.
The 90-minute experience will take visitors on an adventure through six specially designed rooms across more than 20,000 square feet, where they’ll get an inside look at the inner workings of the world of F1.
The exhibition includes previously-unseen photography, film and artifacts meant to give fans a history of the sport’s most iconic moments. Visitors will also get a glimpse at how F1 teams design and manufacture new cars. The experience will also highlight drivers of note throughout the years since the beginning of F1 in 1950, including a display about one of the most horrific near-death crashes in the history of the sport. Since the exhibition is taking place at Lighthouse Artspace Toronto — previously home to popular immersive experiences including Immersive Van Gogh — it wouldn’t be complete without an immersive experience of its own. The finale of the entire exhibition features a “show-stopping” immersive cinematic experiences where fans can relive the greatest moments in F1 history.
According to a press release, the experience will also feature a few new displays exclusive to the Toronto exhibition. Tickets go on sale to the general public on March 28.
“Canada has a huge history in the sport, from a host of world-class drivers to an iconic Grand Prix. Toronto is home to a plethora of sports, entertainment and culture so it’s in an ideal position to be the first in North America to welcome Formula 1 fans to this one-of-a-kind show,” Jonathan Linden, producer of the exhibition, said in a statement.
There have been a few successful F1 drivers from Canada over the years, including Gilles Villeneuve and his son Jacques Villeneuve, Allen Berg, and Toronto’s own George Eaton and Nicholas Latifi. There’s currently one Canadian racing driver on the grid — Montreal’s Lance Stroll, who has been competing since 2017.