🍾 The Tradition of F1 Champagne Celebration
“I still remember how to spray champagne.” Those were Nico Hülkenberg’s words after stepping onto the podium. But why has champagne spraying become such a signature of Formula 1 celebrations? Today, we explore the story behind this unique culture.
What Champagne Does F1 Use?
For visual impact and luxury, F1 uses oversized 3-liter champagne bottles. In 2023, Formula 1 renewed its partnership with Moët & Chandon, a collaboration dating back to the 1990s. Each bottle costs around $500, and four bottles are prepared per ceremony—for the top three drivers and the winning constructor.
Between 2017–2020, Formula E used Carbon Champagne, with bottles coated in carbon fiber. Each was valued at $3,000, meaning podium ceremonies sometimes sprayed as much as $12,000 worth of champagne.
The Ceremony
After national anthems and trophy presentations, the iconic champagne moment begins. Bottles are placed on the podium in advance with corks slightly loosened, making them easy to open. At that instant, Bizet’s Carmen Overture often plays—its triumphant notes now inseparable from champagne celebrations. The pairing of music and spectacle has strengthened F1’s identity as a sensory brand.
Unique Celebrations
The podium is also where drivers show personality. In 2016, Daniel Ricciardo introduced the shoey—pouring champagne into his racing shoe and drinking it. The tradition spread, with even teammates like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri joining in.
Celebrations don’t stop on the podium. At the 2024 British GP, when Hülkenberg unexpectedly secured a podium, rival teams even offered champagne to Sauber for their garage celebrations—showcasing the camaraderie within the paddock.
Origins of Champagne Spraying
The roots trace back to France. At the 1950 French GP, near Reims—the heart of champagne country—winner Juan Manuel Fangio was gifted a bottle of Moët. Yet spraying didn’t begin until 1966 at the Le Mans 24 Hours, when a bottle overheated in the sun and sprayed drivers unintentionally.
In 1967, American driver Dan Gurney, after winning Le Mans in a Ford GT40, deliberately sprayed champagne into the crowd. His spontaneous act transformed motorsport tradition forever, shifting from sipping champagne politely to wild celebrations—eventually spreading worldwide as a universal symbol of victory.
Rules and Exceptions
Not every F1 race allows champagne. In countries with alcohol restrictions, like Bahrain or Abu Dhabi, podium ceremonies use sparkling rose water or juice as substitutes.
Age restrictions also matter. For example, at the 2011 Turkish GP, Sebastian Vettel—then 23—couldn’t drink champagne because the legal drinking age was 24. By contrast, 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli was allowed to enjoy champagne on the podium at the 2024 Canadian GP, since Montreal’s legal age is 18. In junior categories, underage drivers also use sparkling juice.
These adjustments show F1’s respect for global laws and cultural differences, while maintaining the essence of celebration.
⚡ Conclusion
From a sun-warmed bottle at Le Mans to today’s choreographed podium shows, F1 champagne celebration has evolved into a cultural symbol of triumph. It blends luxury, spectacle, and individuality—capturing the joy of victory in the most unforgettable way.
