Our winning Formula – how the Awning Company helps at the races

Motorsport has long been one of our specialist sectors here at the Awning Company, and the biggest one we serve year-in, year-out. In fact, we’re currently right in the middle of our busiest season of the year – and that’s largely to do with the Formula series. 

With more than 30 years of experience behind us, we’re proud to have a longstanding legacy as trusted suppliers of Formula 1 awnings – as well as supplying Formula Two, Formula Three and Formula Four. Together, these race series bring together some of the most intense, technical, and high-profile events in international motorsport. Each championship follows a demanding calendar, attracts top-tier talent, and involves complex operations across the paddock and pit lane.

So, if you need a quick overview, here’s a brief introduction to each of the key FIA Formula series.

Formula 1 – setting the global standard

This is the one that arguably needs no introduction – Formula 1 is the premier international single-seater championship. It features ten teams competing across more than twenty Grands Prix each year, held in countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. Each team enters two drivers and travels with a large support crew including engineers, strategists, data analysts, and logistics personnel. The championship is known for cutting-edge technology, global exposure, and highly competitive racing between some of the best drivers in the world.

As you’d expect, the championship accordingly attracts huge crowds, and broadcast audiences. Race weekends follow a strict format with practice sessions, qualifying, and the main event. FIA officials oversee strict regulations covering everything from parc fermé procedures to pit stop safety. Each round runs as a four-day operation requiring detailed coordination across hundreds of team and event staff. Teams build extensive paddock facilities and travel with vast amounts of technical equipment – and that’s where our bespoke awnings tend to come in here at The Awning Company. 

Formula 2 – developing future champions

Formula 2 essentially acts as the official feeder series to Formula 1, providing young drivers with a final proving ground before promotion to the top level. The grid features a mix of established junior talent and emerging names aiming for F1 contracts. All drivers compete using the same chassis, engine, and tyres – so that puts the focus on racecraft, consistency, and adaptability over the course of the season.

The championship shares many of its race weekends with F1, including access to the same circuits, facilities, and paddock zones. Teams in F2 tend to be smaller in scale, but still operate under highly professional standards. They manage race strategy, data systems, and tyre logistics internally. The format typically includes a sprint race and a feature race at each round, with reverse-grid rules and mandatory pit stops. Drivers who perform well here often secure test roles or reserve seats with F1 teams, so we’re proud to be one of the official providers of Formula Two awnings here at The Awning Company!

Formula 3 – raising elite drivers

Formula 3 forms the next tier in the FIA’s single-seater ladder, bringing together top drivers from national and regional championships, including winners from Formula 4 series across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The level of competition is extremely high, with closely matched cars and a deep talent pool. A large part of that is because many drivers in F3 are already affiliated with F1 junior programmes or backed by major sponsors.

The series usually runs on the same weekends as F1 and F2, though it uses shorter sessions and a compressed race format. Each event includes practice, qualifying, and two races – one of which uses a reverse-grid structure. Teams in F3 must operate efficiently in limited paddock space, often with compact work areas and tight turnaround times between sessions. Every decision counts, from tyre allocation to data analysis, and driver development remains the core focus throughout the season.

Formula 4 – launching professional careers

Formula 4 introduces drivers to international single-seater competition after karting. It marks the start of a professional pathway governed by the FIA’s global structure. F4 championships operate in several countries and regions, each using standardised cars to create an even playing field. Drivers are typically aged between 15 and 18, and work with small, dedicated teams to learn the demands of circuit racing.

F4 events follow national calendars and often support larger motorsport weekends. The race format usually includes multiple sessions over two or three days, with points awarded toward a season-long championship. Crews handle all aspects of car preparation, logistics, and driver coaching. Many teams also offer fitness, media, and technical training to prepare drivers for progression into F3. Each weekend serves as a high-stakes learning environment for future professionals.

How we help at The Awning Company

As we’ve covered, motorsport is one of our key sectors here at The Awning Company, and so we have a long history of supplying motorsport awnings to race teams and organisations on-site, at every level of these FIA competitions. Our personalised awnings are used by a variety of teams to mark and cover their on-site locations, so that they have the space and comfort to hold briefings, fine-tune their vehicles, and map out strategies for the races ahead. If you’ve ever taken a walk trackside at Formula 4, you may well have found that our awnings account for most of the paddock!

Besides the teams themselves, we also support companies like Pirelli, the global tyre manufacturer, who use bespoke awnings for many of their on-site operations, such as specifying and fitting professional grade tyres in quick turnarounds between races. You can find out more from our recent post about how our awnings help in fitting tyres at professional motorsport events.

This is just a sample of what we do – if you’re wondering what we can do for your team or organisation, don’t hesitate to give our team a call! Feel free to take a look at our bespoke GH Awnings to see what we can do for you – and if you have any questions or need any advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 01204 544 900, and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can!