Written by Al Slattery (they/he)
Nearly every Formula One fan has dreams of attending as many Grand Prix as possible or watching one of the pinnacle races live. From completing the challenge to watch every race on the calendar live over one’s life or being able to watch Abu Dhabi 2021 as the drama unfolded, the ability to travel the world and watch the sport they love is one of the greatest gifts an F1 fan can get from life. But the reality is different for so many fans. Notwithstanding the substantial financial commitment attending any Grand Prix is, the chance to engage with the sport they love is severely hindered for many.
I’m young. I still have dreams of attending as many different races as possible when I hopefully no longer have to worry about money and bills. I dream, like so many others, to go to as many different races as I possibly can. As an Australian this is already so much more difficult, and expensive than for many others. But every year it seems the amount of races I would even be welcome at reduces and many countries Formula One insists on doing business with are unsafe or illegal for me to visit.
You might immediately think of the races I’m legally not allowed in the country, the ones where my relationship isn’t legal or even just the ones that are just socially and politically unsafe, but it is much more pervasive than that. I’ve accepted that I will never be able to attend any races with the exceptions of Western Europe and Australia. Even in these more progressive countries, the fanbase and environment is still less than accepting and completely safe for queer people. When other people consider attending a Grand Prix they’re greatest concerns are accommodation, flights and tickets. As a trans, queer person in a visibly queer relationship with someone I want to share those F1 Grand Prix experiences with, the reality is so different. Can I attend this country and be myself, legally? What are the social conditions of the broader community I am entering for people like me? Is the race and track a safe environment for me? Do I have people around me to keep me safe should queerphobic people be around? Is there truly anywhere where the F1 fandom is safe for queer people?
I first attended a GP live in Australia 2022. And while many others have, I would never go to a GP alone. As a trans, queer person even in more accepting countries such as Australia, I would never consider it safe enough to go alone or just with my partner. Along with the disgusting conduct towards women of some fans in Austria and Zandvoort over the past couple of years, the fanbase has a long way to go in their treatment of minorities and those that may be vulnerable at the races.
I am attending the 2024 Australian GP with my partner, along with a large group of friends. It is this group of friends that make me feel comfortable attending with my partner. And even still, we have had conversations of just pretending to be “besties” for most of the weekend to ensure we are safe and that our weekend couldn’t possibly be spoiled by the poor actions of some fans. I am ever hopeful that my experience at the AusGP24 will be nothing but great, but preparing for the worst is equally important and unavoidable.
I’m a fan of other sports and this feeling fluctuates significantly between them. While some feel much more safe (mostly women’s sports but also those with less interaction between crowd members), F1 is one of the ones I have felt less safe. And while nothing has happened to me personally, parts of the fanbase make this a concern, and stories told by other people attending these events solidify this.
All I truly want is to have no fear and no worry about being vulnerable while attending races.
A follow up regarding my real experiences of the AusGP will be posted following the 2024 race.
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