F1 superfan and KttiPay CEO Iain Salteri names best Grand Prix spots
This Sydney-based adrenaline junkie has channelled his lifelong love for motor racing into a worldwide pursuit of the F1.
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“I’ve always been interested in anything with wheels,” says Iain Salteri, CEO and founder of Australian finance start-up KttiPay.
“From a young age, I played with toy cars, read motoring magazines and could give you any stat on any car out there.”
The Sydneysider channelled his passion into an obsession with the F1 and now travels the world to attend high-octane Grand Prix events.
“The thing I love about the F1 over other motorsports is the sheer thrill of speed and adrenaline,” he says. “One of the most fascinating aspects of F1 is its ability to transcend cultures. It’s a sport anyone can enjoy regardless of background.”
Here, he shares his favourite Grand Prix experiences around the world:
Monza, Italy
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is my favourite F1 event. My family is traditionally from Milan, which is the closest city to Monza, and I spent a lot of time there growing up. Supporters are fanatics, and the food at the track is great. After the race, the tifosi (Italian fans) storm the track to the podium above the main straight. It’s an amazing sight.
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
I landed in Brussels early in the morning for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps and decided to detour via the World War II Ardennes American Cemetery. I was late booking accommodation, so the last place I could find was a room above a local pub. I was lucky enough to have a Paddock pass to the F1, and seeing the size of the motorhomes erected for every event was impressive. Looking towards Eau Rouge and seeing the scale of that corner was a “wow” moment.
Melbourne, Australia
My favourite motorsports event was my first F1 which I attended with my dad. It was the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne and we had a prime spot at the entry of Turn 1 for the entire weekend. Seeing the drivers I had admired and followed for years was a surreal experience. The speed of the cars, the roar of the engines, and the electric atmosphere only deepened my love for the sport.
Singapore
Everything was so well thought out at the Singapore Grand Prix, no rubbish or bad behaviour. After the qualifying knockout on the Saturday evening, we walked from our grandstand seats to the stage area in the middle of the circuit in the humidity and it gave me a great appreciation for what the drivers must experience during two hours in a Formula 1 car around the circuit.
IAIAN SALTERI’S TRAVEL HIGHS AND LOWS
Hostel horror
In my late 20s, I flew to NYC with friends. We stayed at a hostel and ate at an American steakhouse. Everyone who ate the ribs got food poisoning. We were jet-lagged, sick and fighting each other to use the shared facilities. It was a shambles.
World record
In 2017, my dad and I cruised to Antarctica. We went from Hobart to the Ross Sea. We were so remote. We broke the world record for the furthest south a ship has ever gone when the captain saw an opportunity and stuck the ship’s bow into a small opening in the ice.
Originally published as F1 superfan and KttiPay CEO Iain Salteri names best Grand Prix spots
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