It’s that time of year again. Formula 1 is back on the airwaves, with all the drama and excitement you could ever want in a sporting event. But what are you going to do about your friends? They won’t be tuning in at the same time as you are- they’ll be out doing other things! And it can feel like a chore getting them up to speed each week when they’re finally watching your recording, or worse yet, trying to keep up with their live feed. What’s a dedicated F1 fan to do?
In this article, we’re going to break down some great ways for planning an awesome viewing party for your friends who will never watch an episode of F1 voluntarily. We’ll give tips on how to get them involved, how to keep them from being too confused by what’s going on, and how to keep the event fun for everyone. You need a solid plan, and you need to be executing it well. Here are some of the things you’ll need to have in place if you want your event to go down as a success:
Know Your Guests
Who are they, and what do they like? Which one is the joker who will laugh even when he doesn’t understand what’s going on? You don’t want to put them next to someone who will grumble or be willing to play free bets the whole time. You want this to be memorable: you’re the host, and it’s up to you to set the tone. For example, if your friend who isn’t into car racing is going to be at your event, you should skip showing race recaps from previous races in favor of coverage from other channels.
Sure, he might see someone he knows, but you’ll make him more comfortable in the long run. Make sure their personalities will fit in with everyone else at the party. That way, they’ll be more likely to have a good time, even if they haven’t seen an F1 race before.
Make It A Theme Night
A viewing party doesn’t have to be totally random. You can pick a theme, like a ’90s theme, and make sure that everyone comes dressed in the appropriate attire. The more you plan ahead, the better. If you have a theme night, it adds a sense of occasion to the event. Sometimes a bit of structure can help loosen up your friends, even if they aren’t as comfortable with F1 as you are.
In addition, having a theme night is another way to show that this isn’t just any old watch party. It’s an event that suits a purpose. You can find these themes all over the Internet- check them out, and you might be surprised at how fun they are to plan around!
Prep the Big Screens
Not all viewers are created equal. Sure, some will be able to follow along on the TV you’re planning on using, but others might benefit more from a second or even third screen. Preplanning will help you here- if you have an extra big television that everyone can crowd around, make sure it’s got enough power for your guests’ devices. If you have a laptop, maybe one of your guests can bring theirs too, so they can all see what’s happening simultaneously.
Don’t Forget The Sounds Too
This one’s an easy way to make your event stand out. For example, if you’re watching on a laptop, you probably have access to some pretty great speakers- especially if it’s for something like F1. The event can be less fun without the engine noise blasting from your speakers. So, if your guest doesn’t know what that sounds like, it can be easy to forget about.
Make sure everyone is able to enjoy the sounds of Formula 1, whether they know what’s going on or not. It’ll help them appreciate better why you love it so much! You don’t want this night to end in tragedy! Make sure everyone gets the full experience here.
Ensure the Internet or Cable is Working Properly
The last thing you want is to be fretting because there’s been a glitch in the system. You or someone you know might be able to fix it, but if not, make sure your viewers have a variety of options for getting their racing fix. Make sure your internet is as fast as possible, and that all of your connections are working well before anyone arrives. You need either of them to stream videos, so it’s best to get the kinks out beforehand. If you need to call the cable company, do that before your guests arrive, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Remember- this is supposed to be fun! A viewing party is all about getting together with your friends and watching something awesome while chowing down on some snacks. It doesn’t need to be stressful just because the event is centered around F1. This way, everyone will be able to watch and enjoy.
Include Food And Drinks
A good watch party includes food and drinks, but it’s important not to forget about your non-F1 friends when you’re inviting everyone. Related to this is knowing your guests- ask them what sort of thing they would like to wear and pair it with something complementary already in your wardrobe (assuming their style meshes well with yours). Sure, you can go to the store and buy some snacks, but there are lots of recipes out there that will compliment your F1 event, like these ones for example.
You can use these suggestions to help plan an F1-themed party for all occasions. Whether you want to impress your friends or just have fun with them while watching an awesome race, you’ll need to plan ahead in order to make the most out of your event. If you can do that, there’s no reason why it won’t be an awesome night for all involved!
These are just some ways that you can make your friends feel more comfortable watching F1 with you- and maybe they’ll even enjoy it! Then, they can come back for more. If you’re a dedicated fan of Formula 1, then you know the races really aren’t as complicated as your friends might think they are.