Can you Drink Alcohol at the Saudi Arabian GP in F1?

A universal source of celebration, but has also been looked down upon globally. Consumption of alcohol is a highly debatable and controversial topic. Alcohol consumed in moderation is acceptable throughout most social settings. However, when abused, there is no exact science on its adverse effects, and often belittled. There is a special category offense for coupling alcohol and driving. However, after every race, the podium finishers always celebrate with a bottle of champagne. Although for the Saudi Arabia GP, where alcohol is strictly banned, will F1 get a pass?

Formula 1 switched to sparkling wine from champagne back in 2021. Coincidentally, 2021 marked the first edition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. However, before that, the circus was traveling to cities that did not have a no-alcohol policy. For these explicit rules, F1 had to make amends.

What do F1 drivers drink on the podium at the Saudi Arabian GP?

The sport made the change from champagne to sparkling wine as per a sponsorship deal with a brand called Ferrari and not to be frugal. The premier class is anything but. This switch meant from 2021 onwards, the drivers started spraying sparkling wine. Despite the switch, the drink used to celebrate a podium had trace amounts of alcohol.

To be exact, the Ferrari Trento sparkling wine used on the podiums contains 12.5% alcohol. This brought up concerns regarding the spraying of alcohol during the podium celebrations. According to The Muslim Times, the royal advisor gave the F1 tradition a priority. He said, “Champagne is part of the ceremony. Jeddah [the host city] will have seen nothing like it.” 

In fact, crown prince Muhammad bin Salman has brought plenty of reforms under his rule so far. Some believed the Saudi Arabian GP would mark the end of the alcohol ban in the country. Moreover, we even witnessed a celebratory drink spraying on the podium in the last two Saudi Arabian GPs despite the alcohol ban. However, the reality is different from what it seems.

Despite the comments and attempts to make Saudi Arabian more inclusive, that was not the case for the Saudi Arabian GP. The champagne was replaced with a pink and sugary water drink for the celebration.

Even Max Verstappen made that revelation after his 2021 race podium celebration. He said, “There was no champagne. Wouldn‘t have been fun.” 

Read More: Was There the Traditional Alcoholic Champagne During F1 Podium Celebrations in Saudi Arabia? Verstappen Reveals the Answer

There you have it, folks, even F1 drivers aren’t above a country’s laws and Islamic beliefs. However, every restriction comes with an opportunity for a replacement. This is exactly what investors can look forward to with the Saudi Arabia GP alcohol ban.

Opportunities for non-alcoholic beverages in F1 Saudi Arabian GP

Formula 1 is a flying money-making mammoth. The sport generates a lot of attention to an event and carries a lot of eyes around with it. With the no-alcohol policy, the sport can attract a fresh set of sponsors in middle eastern countries. How? A simple substitute, non-alcoholic beverages.

Beverages are a big part of every event and Formula 1 is no different. Every sponsor would want to make their presence felt in a high-marketability sport like Formula 1. The races in middle eastern countries can generate sponsorship from non-alcoholic beverage companies.

For non-alcoholic beverage companies, the middle east is a booming market. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is currently trying to transform the global perception of the country. The country has already made massive global investments under the Vision 2030 initiative. This is an excellent opportunity for non-alcoholic beverages to make their mark in the country.

Moreover, there is no better than the race in Jeddah to announce one’s brand. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is already a top-10 market for no-alcohol beer, which is the biggest supplement of malt-based beverages.

Read More: What Is the Cost of the Ferrari Champagne F1 Drivers Spray on the Podium?

The country has also picked up a new trend within the same space. The ‘Saudi Champagne’, which is a mix of fruit and soda water, has become a popular DIY drink.

“Non-alcoholic wine has gained some traction in the Saudi Arabian market, in part due to an increasingly well-traveled consumer base,” says Russell Menezes, Research Director Middle East for IWSR.

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The sport couldn’t change the country’s perception of alcohol and did not become an excuse for lifting the ban. However, the sport and even Saudi Arabia can still benefit from F1’s popularity and massive marketing capabilities.