Last weekend in Prague, I found myself queueing in the cold for nearly three hours before a unique motorsport experience began — but it was absolutely worth it.

From 12–14 December, the Allwyn McLaren Formula 1 Team Celebration brought the world of F1 into the heart of the city at Výstaviště Praha, Holešovice (Křižík Pavilion B). What made it even more remarkable: admission was completely free to the general public.

At the centre of the exhibition was an authentic McLaren Formula 1 2025 winning car, displayed up close and without barriers. Seeing the car in person gives you an entirely different appreciation of Formula 1 — the complexity of the aerodynamics, the precision of the engineering, and how every surface exists for performance, not aesthetics. These are details you simply cannot absorb through broadcasts or photos.

Beyond the car itself, the event walked visitors through McLaren’s journey, development philosophy, and racing heritage. From safety systems like the Halo, to race suits and helmets, to interactive simulators that hint at the reflexes required at the top level — it was a reminder that success in F1 is the outcome of years of structured innovation, teamwork, and relentless iteration.

What struck me most was how accessible this experience was. No expensive race ticket, no VIP pass — just time, patience, and curiosity. Being able to stand inches away from a championship-winning machine, understand its evolution, and connect it to the broader story of performance and technology is incredibly valuable.

Cold hands and a long queue were a small price to pay for a rare, public window into the world of Formula 1 — and a powerful reminder that some of the most meaningful learning happens outside classrooms, offices, and formal settings.