Gordon Ramsay in Formula 1? What's cooking with the Angry Chef

No joke! As part of the F1 Garage initiative, Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay has agreed to bring his culinary expertise to fans at multiple Grands Prix. Across ten Formula 1 events this season, the celebrity chef is set to rustle up meals for guests while taking inspiration from wherever he happens to pop up.

Some may be bemused at the celebrity tie-up, but F1 President Stefano Domenicali says it’s in keeping with the pursuit of excellence at the pinnacle of motorsport, on and off the track.

Domenicali said: “Our vision is to offer premium F1 hospitality through a unique journey not only on the track but also at the table, with standards of excellence that reflect the passion and soul of our sport.

“We cannot wait to begin this joint venture entirely dedicated to our guests, which will see them enjoy an unforgettable experience, starting from the Miami Grand Prix," added the F1 chief.

Ramsay's dishes may be a new addition to F1 Garage, but the program itself has already been running as an F1 Experience for a year. Those who fork out for a three-day pass get access to the pit lane, podium, and an exclusive celebrity lounge, as well as getting wined and dined.

According to F1, these fans will now also be able to access ‘Garage Ramsay’ — a restaurant staffed by a team of executive chefs who will treat them to gourmet dishes, at just under half of the events.

When the concept was trialed at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, guests were even treated to meals prepared by chefs from Ramsay’s famous Lucky Cat restaurant, so there could be further cameos in the season to come.

Ahead of 'Garage Ramsay's' launch, the man himself says he and his team are “excited about what they can offer” to the racing-going public and “can’t wait to get to the starting line in Miami.”

Ramsay said: “My passion for F1 is well known, but it’s the complexity and pace of the cars and the talent of the many people building and controlling them that appeals so much.

“In many ways, F1 is like a high-performing professional kitchen, so this is the perfect partnership for us and our growing international restaurant group," the chef added.

F1 has always attracted the great and the good. The fast cars, the glamour, the opportunity for an awkward gridwalk interview with Martin Brundle. The appeal is clear to see.

But F1 owner Liberty Media has doubled down on its efforts to lure them into the paddock over recent years. First, there were the cameos. Who can forget Will Smith ‘tying up’ Lewis Hamilton at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? Since then, races have even attracted the likes of Elon Musk and Donald Trump.

Then there are the film crews — Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves have become fixtures in the paddock over the last couple of years while making their upcoming F1 movie and docuseries, respectively.

In the past, F1 access was much more tightly policed. By relaxing this, Liberty has successfully broadened the series’ appeal. That said, with F1 Garage tickets said to cost upwards of $30,000 each, this access is being opened to a select few race fans.

For those who can afford it, F1 Garage is set to feature at the Grands Prix of: Miami, Monaco, Canadian, British, Italian, United States, Mexico City, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.