Yes. Most of the circuits you watch on a Grand Prix weekend can be driven by anyone with a driver's license, on public track days, manufacturer courses or privately hired events.
In short: You can drive the Red Bull Ring, the Hungaroring, Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, Zandvoort, Imola, Paul Ricard, Portimão and more. The cheap way is a public track day in your own car. The complete way is a private event: Stratos hires the entire Grand Prix circuit for 15 drivers, and supplies a Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini, a professional coach and the whole trip.
Key facts
- Most Grand Prix circuits in Europe open to private drivers on non-race days.
- You need a valid driver's license, not a racing license.
- At a Stratos event the entire circuit is privately hired for 15 drivers max, for 2 full track days.
- The street circuits, such as Monaco, are public roads for most of the year and can be driven at road speeds.
Grand Prix circuits you can drive
| Circuit | Country | Known for | Can you drive it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bull Ring | Austria | The Austrian Grand Prix | Yes |
| Hungaroring | Hungary | The Hungarian Grand Prix | Yes |
| Portimão | Portugal | The Portuguese Grand Prix in 2020 and 2021 | Yes |
| Imola | Italy | The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix | Yes |
| Paul Ricard | France | The French Grand Prix, 2018 to 2022 | Yes |
| Misano | Italy | MotoGP's San Marino Grand Prix | Yes |
| Zandvoort | Netherlands | The Dutch Grand Prix | Yes |
| Spa-Francorchamps | Belgium | The Belgian Grand Prix | Yes, on track days |
| Monza | Italy | The Italian Grand Prix | Yes, on track days |
| Monaco | Monaco | The Monaco Grand Prix | At road speeds, as public streets |
The four ways to get on a Grand Prix circuit
- A public track day in your own car. The cheapest way. You share the circuit with dozens of cars and bring everything yourself. At Spa, about €690 to €1,199 a day.
- A lap package. A few laps in a supercar with an instructor. A taste, not a lesson.
- A manufacturer course. Porsche and others run courses on shared dates. Porsche's two-day Master starts at €3,999.
- A privately hired circuit. The whole circuit for one small group. This is what Stratos does.
What it is like
You know these corners from television. What television does not show is the elevation. The climb to Turn 3 at the Red Bull Ring is steeper than it looks, and Portimão's crests hide the track completely. The first lap is a surprise. By the tenth you are driving a circuit you have watched for years.
Driving a Grand Prix circuit with Stratos
- The circuit to yourself: 15 drivers max, the entire circuit privately hired, with safety crew and marshals.
- A supercar waiting in the pit lane: available cars, which may include a Porsche 911 GT3 or GT3 RS, a Ferrari F8 Tributo or a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. We keep a supercar fleet on hand, and you can also request other cars.
- A professional race driver beside you: private coaching, with data and video.
- Full use of the car over 2 full track days.
- Everything else handled: 3 nights of luxury accommodation, meals, dinners and transfers.
- Price: an €18,000 experience base plus your car. Totals from €32,500, VAT included.
What you need
A valid driver's license, and an International Driving Permit if it was issued outside the EU. No track experience. No racing license. No car.
The best circuits for a first track day · How much track days cost · See upcoming events
FAQ
Can you drive on an F1 track?
Yes. Most Grand Prix circuits open to drivers on non-race days, through track days, manufacturer courses and private events.
Which F1 circuits can you drive in Europe?
The Red Bull Ring, the Hungaroring, Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, Zandvoort, Imola, Paul Ricard and Portimão, among others.
Do you need a racing license to drive on an F1 circuit?
No. A valid driver's license is enough for a track day or a Stratos event.
How much does it cost to drive on an F1 track?
From a few hundred euros for a public day in your own car to €32,500 and up for a private, all-included event with the car supplied.
Can a beginner drive a Grand Prix circuit?
Yes. At Stratos no track experience is needed, and a professional coach sits beside you.
Can you drive the Monaco Grand Prix circuit?
Yes, at road speeds. It is made of public streets for most of the year.
Can I drive a supercar on an F1 circuit without owning one?
Yes. Stratos supplies a Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini.
Which Grand Prix circuit is easiest to drive?
The Red Bull Ring: ten corners and clear braking points.
About Stratos
Stratos runs exclusive driving experiences at Europe's greatest Grand Prix circuits, for founders and leaders. Each event privately hires the entire circuit for 15 drivers max, with a supercar fleet, private coaching with professional race drivers, 3 nights of luxury accommodation and 2 full track days. Stratos is invitation-only.