This week, I had the opportunity to experience the ‘F1 Arcade’ in Birmingham, an immersive driving event in the heart of the city that combines state-of-the-art driving simulators, themed food and drink, and various attractions designed to test and hone your racing skills. Joining me was my brother, Alan, a self-confessed petrol head who has been following F1 since the days when Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard ruled the tracks in the 90s.
Upon arriving at the venue, we were greeted with a bustling atmosphere filled with the buzz of excited participants and the roar of virtual engines. The first step was creating our driving profiles, an essential part of immersing ourselves in the simulation. This setup allowed us to personalize our experience, ensuring that the simulators accurately reflected our preferences and skill levels.
Once our profiles were set, we took our positions at the start line. The simulators were impressively equipped, offering up to five difficulty modes. The hardest mode provided zero braking or racing line assistance, leaving gear changes (via ‘flappy paddle’) completely manual. I chose the medium difficulty, hoping for a bit of a challenge, despite not playing any of the F1 video games in over 10 years. And because of this, I quickly discovered that controlling this virtual F1 car was far more demanding than I had anticipated. My brother, on the other hand, opted for a higher difficulty and immediately showed his prowess.
My brother dominated all three races (all lasting about ten minutes each, on Monza, Circuit of Americas and Circuit Zandvoort respectively), smoothly navigating the tracks and showcasing his refined driving skills. In contrast, I struggled, spinning out multiple times, particularly when I imprudently applied full throttle around corners—an error stemming from my habits driving a much less powerful 1.2 litre Volkswagen Polo. These short but intense sessions were enough to make me realize the complexity and skill required in F1 racing.
Despite my initial challenges, each race saw a marked improvement in my performance as I began to understand the controls and handling better. The thrill of the races, combined with the pressure to improve, made the experience incredibly engaging. The simulators provided a realistic taste of the demands placed on professional drivers, highlighting the concentration and precision needed to succeed.
Although we only had 30 minutes of racing in total, both my brother and I agreed that it was more than enough. The intense concentration required during the races was surprisingly draining, giving us a newfound appreciation for the stamina and focus of professional F1 drivers.
Beyond the racing, the venue offered a variety of attractions. One highlight was the button-bashing reaction time tester, a device used by professional drivers to maintain their reflexes. Competing against my brother (seen below) on this tester added another layer of fun and friendly rivalry to our day, and thankfully I won this bout (although I am 10 years younger than him!).
F1 themed food and drink awaited us once we had given it all we’d got on the race circuit. With my brain literally hurting from how much I’d been concentrating, it was a greatly appreciated opportunity to ‘refuel’.
It was clear from the presentation of the food and drink served that a lot of thought and care had gone into it, and the taste didn’t disappoint either. A particular highlight was the Caprese with Basil Pesto flatbread seen below.
Overall, the F1 experience in Birmingham was a thrilling and enlightening adventure. It offered a perfect blend of entertainment and challenge, allowing us to engage deeply with the sport we love. Whether you’re a seasoned fan like my brother or a novice like myself, this immersive experience provides an exciting glimpse into the world of Formula 1 racing.
Book Now – https://f1arcade.com/uk/birmingham
