F 1
or a team to be
successful in
Formula 1 it has to
push the boundaries of
performance both on and
off the track. Teams have to
“Many F1 drivers
are famous for
their regular use of
private aviation”
Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly
work to precise schedules and possess meticulous
professionalism. Similar principles and pressures define the
most successful private aviation companies.
F1 has been a loyal customer and user of private aviation
since the championship started. The relationship between
F1 and private aviation brings with it challenges and
opportunities for the sector. Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly
says, “Private aviation and motorsport work very closely
together in a number of ways.
“Many F1 drivers are famous for their regular use of
private aviation. Others fly less conspicuously, but still enjoy
the benefits of flying on their own schedule.
Like high-performance athletes in other
fields, drivers’ schedules are meticulously
studied and planned in today’s competitive
environment, so the ability to maximize
sleep and travel to races and other
commitments in a way that optimizes their
Alfa Romeo Racing & GlobeAir
As an official partner
to Alfa Romeo Racing,
GlobeAir’s fleet of Cessna
Citation Mustang Jets, the
company’s know-how and
resources are available to
the F1 team 24/7.
Frédéric Vasseur,
team principal, Alfa
Romeo Racing says, “The
work involves the highly
efficient transportation
of engineers, mechanics
and components between
individual test tracks,
or between a track and
the factory or a supplier.
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When we’re in the testing
phase, we require flights
several times a day
between the test track
and the factory, so
that we can transport
components.
“That wouldn’t be
possible using normal air
transportation and for
time reasons it wouldn’t
be feasible by road. The
time factor is enormously
important for us – it is
ultimately the difference
between the team’s
success and its failure.”
health and wellbeing is a major priority.”
Charter firm Luxaviation regularly
works with F1 teams and fans of the
sport. George Galanopoulos, managing
director of the company says, “We
operate one of the most diverse fleets of
executive aircraft in Europe and are able
to offer an extensive service across the
motorsport industry.
“Year in, year out, we fly motorsport
drivers and their teams to F1 events. We have also seen an
increase in the number of supporters that choose to charter
a jet. They choice of a charter aircraft could be down to a
number of reasons, such as the convenience of allowing
supporters to travel at times that truly suit them and flying to
and from the most convenient airports.”
Investment stimulus
A local Grand Prix can be a high-profile catalyst for
investment in an airport of FBO, with the caveat that the race
is an annual occurrence and host tracks can change.
Million Air is due to open its new US$40 million
development at Austin Bergstrom-International Airport in
Texas in time for this year’s US Grand Prix, which takes
place in November. The project is building a FBO, including
pilot and passenger lounges, seven hangars and additional
apron space at Bergstrom-International.
Alfa Romeo Racing’s drivers,
Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio
Giovinazzi with the 2019
season’s car