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Hotels and accommodation guide for the Hungarian Grand Prix
June 7, 2025
If you're going to a Formula 1 Grand Prix and thinking about getting there early, you might be curious: what goes down at the track on a Thursday? While it’s not exactly a day filled with the roar of engines or nail-biting overtakes, Thursday plays a vital role in the race weekend. It’s a behind-the-scenes day that offers fans a unique glimpse into the sport's inner workings.
Here’s a closer look at what unfolds at an F1 track on a Thursday and why it’s definitely worth your time to arrive before the cars take to the track.
Thursday isn’t an official race day for the Formula 1 cars, which means no practice sessions or qualifying rounds are on the agenda. But don’t let the absence of cars on the track fool you into thinking it’s a quiet day. The paddock and pit lane are alive with energy as teams hustle to wrap up their preparations.
Garage setup and systems checks are in full swing. Mechanics and engineers are busy getting the cars, tools, and garage space ready. They’re calibrating equipment, updating software, and making sure every single piece of gear is primed for the first practice session on Friday. While some cars might be partially taken apart or undergoing system tests, you won’t see them hitting the circuit just yet.
Technical briefings are also a key part of the day. Teams often gather for internal meetings to go over simulation data, track conditions, and strategies. This is when they nail down their plans based on weather forecasts, tire choices, and insights from their engineers and strategists.
As for driver activities and media responsibilities, Thursday is usually the busiest media day of the weekend. Drivers and team principals take part in press conferences, interviews, and promotional shoots, giving the media a chance to gather quotes, insights, and updates before the on-track action begins.
Press conferences, organized by the FIA, are typically streamed online and attended by journalists from all over the globe. Drivers share their expectations for the weekend, reflect on past performances at the track, and discuss team developments.
Fan engagement is also a highlight, with many races featuring scheduled activities on Thursdays. These often include autograph sessions, photo ops, or Q&A events with drivers and team members. If your ticket grants you paddock or hospitality access, Thursday is usually the perfect time to catch drivers in a more laid-back atmosphere.
One of the key rituals that takes place on Thursdays is the track walk. Drivers, along with their engineers and performance teams, stroll the entire circuit to check out the track surface, curbs, runoff areas, and any recent changes to the layout.
This process helps drivers catch those little details that could impact car setup or their driving lines. It’s surprisingly crucial for the race weekend—especially at street circuits like Monaco or Singapore, where track conditions can shift from year to year.
As for support series practice and setup, depending on the Grand Prix, support series like Formula 2, Formula 3, or Porsche Supercup might kick off their first practice sessions on Thursday. This gives fans a taste of on-track action and a chance to see future F1 stars in action. Plus, these junior teams also use Thursday to set up their pit equipment, hold media sessions, and run their own briefings.
Many races also offer pit lane walks for fans on Thursday, particularly for those with weekend passes or hospitality packages. It’s one of the rare opportunities for fans to get up close to the F1 garages, watch the crews working on the cars, and snap photos without the usual hustle and bustle of a race session.
Some races even feature merchandise stalls, food trucks, and live entertainment, giving fans a soft launch to the weekend experience.
So, is Thursday worth attending? If you’re a casual fan just looking for some wheel-to-wheel racing, Thursday might not be a must. But for anyone eager to dive deeper into the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1, it’s definitely a rewarding experience. You’ll get to see the buildup to race day, interact with teams and drivers in a more relaxed setting, and truly appreciate the effort that goes into making an F1 weekend happen.
In so many ways, Thursday really sets the stage for everything that comes after. From getting the technical details sorted and analyzing the track to engaging with fans and handling media coverage, it’s the solid groundwork for the weekend ahead. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned F1 enthusiast, getting there early offers you a one-of-a-kind view of the sport that you just can’t experience from the grandstands.
At Fastway1.com, we’re all about helping fans create the ultimate F1 experience. Whether it’s picking the perfect tickets or getting to know what each day at the track has in store, we’ve got you covered. Check out our event guides and dive into ticket options for every race on the calendar at Fastway1.com.
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