Business: Formula One announces contract extension with its Paddock Club Partner
Formula 1 has announced the extension of a very important contract, confirming that the world leading gourmet caterers DO & CO will continue as its supplier to the F1 Paddock Club for the next 10 years.
DO & CO has been cooperating with Formula One for more than three decades, providing fans with a best-in-class culinary experience through its work with world-leading chefs and service professionals.
Over the years, the F1 Paddock Club has evolved into an exciting sporting hospitality destination, attracting guests from around the world with "its combination of perfect views of on-track action, exceptional dining and service, and exclusive at-event activities like Pit Lane Walks, Truck Tours and appearances from special guests from the world of Formula 1."
The 2024 F1 season saw the F1 Paddock Club welcome more than 150,000 guests.
Reflecting on the partnership, Formula One's President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: "Formula 1 has always prided itself on delivering unrivalled hospitality, and since 1992 DO & CO have been continually pushing the boundaries of premium event experience at Grands Prix around the world.
"It is incredible that this extension will see them at the heart of the sport for over 40 years - this is a testament to their hard work, creativity, and commitment to constantly improving F1 Paddock Club.”
Speaking of the announcement, Attila Dogudan, who serves as the CEO of DO & CO, said: “After more than 3 decades, we are very proud to continue this unique partnership with Formula 1 for the next 10 years.
"Ongoing innovation, best quality and personalized service will stay the main ingredients to exceed guest expectations. Our common goal for the future is to set further benchmarks in premium hospitality experiences around the globe.”
The Formula One Paddock Club, known simply as the Paddock Club, is the Formula One hospitality service. Known for its high prices and exclusivity, it caters for VIP guests and team sponsors, offering luxury dining and superior views at Formula One Grand Prix events.
Things to know about the Paddock ClubThe Formula One Paddock Club was originally founded by Paddy McNally, chief executive of Allsport Management, a company part of the Formula One Group.
McNally originally worked as a sponsorship consultant for Marlboro with John Hogan before becoming a business partner of Bernie Ecclestone. He started working closely with Ecclestone in the late 1970s, chiefly on the circuit advertising, and then on the hospitality concept.
The Paddock Club was launched in the 1984 season, first operating at the races in France, Austria and Belgium. The inaugural season saw limited success, as McNally intended to sell 600 tickets, but only managed to sell 170.
The following year saw the Paddock Club become more successful as sponsors were attracted and advertisements were coming in. However, the teams complained that the prices were too high and restrictions on access too strict.
By the late 1980s, the hospitality concept finally turned into a success and was highly lucrative. At the time, notable guests included George Harrison and numerous Hollywood celebrities.
McNally sold Allsport to CVC in 2006, and he retired from the business in 2011. Since then, the management of the Paddock Club has been entirely in control of the Formula One Group, now under the ownership of Liberty Media.
