Hyderabad, NFAPost: The Covid-19 pandemic has forced every walk of life to adopt a digital formula for success and sport isn’t left behind.
With webinars across verticals dotting the digital landscape in sports, Formula One, partnering with Zoom Video Communications, has announced a new digital partnership to deliver the first-ever virtual Paddock experience, ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Zoom, the video communications platform, which set a new business record in April 2020 by facilitating over 300 million daily meeting participants, is working with F1 to provide new business opportunities through unique, live-sport experiences.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the first eight races are without the traditional in-person hospitality offerings. Hospitality is a key component of the F1 experience, so the companies partnered to create a bespoke virtual hospitality experience for guests.
Virtual Paddock Club
Across the past race weekend, guests joined the Virtual Paddock Club, through Zoom, and were treated to a range of experiences, including live updates and insight from legends of the paddock. Additional experiences will also be created, in-line with the FIA’s regulations, at future races.
Zoom will provide an exclusive experience throughout the eight-race European season, and in addition, F1 will look to work with Zoom to expand the Virtual Paddock Club offering to its Global Partners and F1 Teams.
Ben Pincus, Director of Commercial Partnerships, Formula 1, said F1 understood the opportunity Zoom presented, which was about delivering a live sporting experience for guests despite the fact much of sport is currently behind closed doors.
“Zoom by its very nature is about enabling and connecting businesses remotely and this partnership, which has been developed virtually, is an example of just that,” said Formula 1 Director of Commercial Partnerships Ben Pincus.
Virtual hospitality
“We are excited to work with Zoom to continue to connect businesses and their VIPs through this virtual hospitality experience. We hope this will be the first of many innovations we roll out in the coming months for our partners. Over the past few months, through Project Pitlane and Virtual Grand Prix races, we have seen the ability to innovate is imperative as we collectively adapt to an environment that continues to evolve,” he added.
Commenting on the partnership, Zoom Chief Marketing Officer Janine Pelosi said Zoomis thrilled to kick off the Virtual Paddock Club with Formula 1.
“During this challenging time, organizations such as Formula 1 still need to provide engaging experiences for fans and enterprises need to offer unique opportunities for their top prospects, and Zoom is here to help. The Virtual Paddock Club is the best way to recreate that VIP sports experience from home,” said Zoom Chief Marketing Officer Janine Pelosi.
Zoom Chief Marketing Officer Janine Pelosi said in the long run, there’s an opportunity for a hybrid virtual/in-person model so distance is no longer a barrier to sports hospitality.
