In case you doubted that Formula 1 is the ultimate spot on the sports-fashion scene, look no further than Beyoncé’s headline-grabbing appearance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last month. She donned a striking white leather driving suit, unzipped right down the middle to reveal a crystal Louis Vuitton logo, paired with a dazzling Vuitton race helmet. Later, she switched into a fiery red vinyl bodysuit. While my 13-year-old daughter might chide me for using Gen Alpha slang, F1 is clearly targeting women like us. No surprise Jay-Z was overshadowed by Beyoncé’s stunning display. Women now represent around 42% of F1’s 825 million global fans. We binge Netflix’s Drive to Survive, support brands promoting women in motorsport, like Charlotte Tilbury’s backing of F1 Academy, and dream of rocking a leather jumpsuit as effortlessly as Beyoncé. Realistically, we might not, but a sporty Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière 25, Dh8,950, could suffice. Thus, LVMH’s 10-year global partnership with F1, revealed earlier this year. Louis Vuitton is crafting custom trophy trunks for major circuits, capturing the audience’s excitement for technical prowess, elite athleticism, and lavish glamour. What more could a luxury brand desire?
This weekend, F1’s 75th anniversary wraps up in the UAE capital, at the sport’s only twilight event. Last year, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix attracted 77.8 million viewers globally, with 192,000 fans attending over four days. Given the unique sunset-to-night race timing, layers are essential. For a taste of Beyoncé’s race day flair, consider a sporty white racer vest topped with a leather bomber. Helsa’s oversized moto jackets, Dh2,624, available on Revolve, transition seamlessly from the track to a UAE January chill. Revolve also offers official McLaren F1 gear, while Reiss’s McLaren pieces are both stylish and sporty. Tommy Hilfiger’s long-standing partnership with F1 fashion icon Lewis Hamilton (insiders dub Grand Prix weekends as Hamilton’s Fashion Week) makes the brand a smart choice. Although the partnership ended with Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari (Hilfiger is now with the 2026 US team Cadillac F1), a Hilfiger logo-embossed white cotton shirt looks great on F1 Academy head Susie Wolff, and it will on you too. Complete the look with a Paddock-access lanyard for extra flair.
Before Drive to Survive debuted in 2019, showcasing the drivers’ personalities, just 20% of Grand Prix attendees were women. Now, with TikTok capturing the sport in formats appealing to female audiences, Emirati racing sisters Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi featured in Netflix’s F1: The Academy, and celebrities like Beyoncé turning the pit lane into a fashion runway (boosted by brands like Louis Vuitton), F1 fashion stakes are at an all-time high. The style will shine from Yas Marina Circuit to our Instagram feeds all weekend. In 2023, F1’s earned media value on Instagram reached $1.4 billion (Dh5.1 billion), trailing only UEFA Champions League, and surpassing the NBA, NFL, and Wimbledon. By the end of this Sunday’s title showdown, that figure is likely to climb further, particularly if Beyoncé makes an appearance.
