What is at least as important at a Formula 1 award ceremony as the trophy? Exactly – the champagne shower!

Everyone does it or has done it – whether Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel. The award ceremony in Formula 1 does not take place without a proper champagne shower. Usually, 1.5 or 3 liter bottles of champagne (magnum or jeroboam) are used, most of which ends up on the clothes of the racers or spectators and not in the mouths of the winners. 

Of course, we don’t drink out of champagne glasses either. Most of the time, people drink out of the trophy. So please, no need for false modesty.  

Since 1967, the champagne shower has been an essential part of the Formula 1 podium ceremony. We have Dan Gurney to thank for it, who came up with the glorious idea of shaking and spraying the noble sparkling wine during the victory ceremony after a 24-hour race at Le Mans. Over the years, the champagne shower became established outside of motorsports as well. Even cyclists or volleyball players find pleasure in shaking champagne. Gurney is said to have once admitted: “What I did with the champagne was completely spontaneous”. We say – Well done!