The Formula 1® Exhibition | Worldwide

Five years in the making, the Formula 1® Exhibition is an immersive, multi-sensory experience that brings the sport’s rich history and innovation to life. First launched at IFEMA MADRID in 2023, the exhibition has since captivated audiences worldwide, breaking records in Vienna, Toronto, and now ExCeL London—bigger and more spectacular than ever.

Visitors can explore seven iconic F1 cars, never-before-seen artefacts, interactive racing simulators, and exclusive exhibits, all curated in collaboration with award-winning artists, filmmakers, and designers. Each gallery is purpose-built to tell the extraordinary story of F1, from its origins to the cutting-edge technology that defines the sport today.

Lighting Design That Drives the Narrative

Michael Grubb Studio was appointed by Round Room Studios to deliver a bespoke lighting design that enhances the storytelling across the exhibition’s purpose-built galleries. Collaborating with designer Alastair McCaw, Director at Real Studios, the team worked closely with curators, artists, and filmmakers to shape the visual language of the experience.

Each space demanded a unique lighting approach to complement its theme. The opening gallery, Once Upon a Time in Formula 1®, uses cinematic lighting to set the stage, evoking the drama of motorsport’s early years. The atmosphere shifts in the Design Lab, where a crisp, functional lighting scheme reflects the precision of an F1 factory. As visitors progress, the energy builds—the Drivers and Duels gallery features dynamic lighting that mirrors the intensity of the race circuit, culminating in a dramatic, high-impact spectacle at The Pit Wall, where fans relive F1’s greatest moments.
 

Bringing the Thrill of The Formula 1® Exhibition to Life Through Light

The lighting design plays a pivotal role in immersing visitors in the world of Formula 1®, capturing the speed, adrenaline, and spectacle of the sport. From the glow of innovation in the Design Lab to the electrifying rush of race-day action, the lighting enhances the experience, transforming each space into a vivid, high-energy environment.

With its groundbreaking approach to storytelling and state-of-the-art lighting design, the Formula 1® Exhibition continues to push boundaries, offering fans an unforgettable journey into the heart of motorsport.
 

“We recognised early on that lighting is a critical part of the experience of this exhibition. The lighting supports the narrative of each individual gallery space and helps bring the story in that room to life through an immersive experience. After initially appointing Michael Grubb Studio to provide the design for one gallery, we soon approached them to illuminate all the separate rooms once we saw what their lighting design could achieve.

We couldn’t be happier with the finished result. Michael Grubb Studio has helped us elevate this experience with dynamic lighting displays that will wow fans for years to come.”

Tim Harvey, Managing Partner at Round Room Studios

“We were thrilled to be part of a project for such an iconic brand with a rich history in sport. We were delighted to have been appointed by the client at the early design stages. As this is a complex exhibition, with many galleries and stories to illuminate, the design had to consider not just this, but the technical aspects of how it could be transported from city to city.

The result is an incredible immersive lighting experience that can be transported, retained, maintained and operated as sustainably and efficiently as possible.”

Michael Grubb, Founder + Managing Director of Michael Grubb Studio