MUMBAI: Talk about putting the pedal to the metal. Heineken 0.0 and Fancode are shifting Indian Formula 1 fandom into top gear with a new partnership designed to bring race-day thrills closer to home.
The showstopper is The Ultimate F1 Fan Park at UB City Amphitheatre in Bengaluru, where the Singapore Grand Prix will be screened live on 5 October. Expect cheering crowds, roaring engines on the big screen and a festival-style buzz right in the city centre.
India is no pit stop when it comes to Formula 1 passion. According to Nielsen NFI, the country now boasts nearly 79 million fans, a 41 per cent surge since 2019, making it one of the sport’s fastest-growing markets. Heineken, with its global F1 legacy, is seizing the moment to fuel that growth.
Beyond Bengaluru, more than 200 curated screenings will light up pubs and sports bars across Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Adding extra horsepower, actors Siddhant Chaturvedi, comedian Rohan Joshi and creator Rizwan Bachav will rev up the digital experience with exclusive content around the Singapore Grand Prix.
Fancode, the official F1 broadcaster in India, will also put fans in the driver’s seat with live race coverage, behind-the-scenes stories and digital exclusives.
“Heineken 0.0 has always stood for innovation and responsible enjoyment. With F1’s popularity soaring in India, we’re excited to create inclusive fan experiences that make the sport part of everyday culture,” said Heineken Company chief corporate affairs officer Joanna Price.
For United Breweries, Heineken’s India partner, the move is about more than just screenings. “Formula 1 gives us the perfect stage to bring fans together and shape a culture of community, passion and responsibility,” said chief marketing officer Vikram Bahl.
Fancode co-founder Yannick Colaco summed it up, “F1 has grown from a niche to one of the fastest-rising fan cultures in India. Fan parks like this strengthen that community spirit.”
With engines revving and fans rallying, it seems India’s love affair with Formula 1 is only just leaving the starting grid.
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