The Formula 1 Racing Championships returns in March and the opening destinations for competition are some of the most spectacular circuits across the globe.
19 tracks will witness some of the finest drivers battling it out for the Constructor’s Championship, with two new venues added to the 2014 calendar.
Races will occur in Russia – for the first time in a century – and Austria this year, but those races are not until the latter part of the schedule.
First up are the events in Australia, Malaysia and Bahrain, with the new season set to be more exciting than ever with new team pairings and cars getting ready to race.
New pairings for 2014
Fans of the sport will be all too aware of the changes ahead of the new competition, as 2013 Champion Sebastian Vettel has been joined at Red Bull by Daniel Ricciardo.
Ferrari will almost certainly challenge as well, given that Kimi Raikkonen is now paired up with Spaniard Fernando Alonso while Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will also fancy their chances.
However, Jensen Button and his teammate Kevin Magnussen at McLaren will also be targeting the podium in the coming year.
That’s not to write off Force India or Williams either, in what could potentially be one of the closest Championships to date.
Red Bull won the team standings in 2013 by a whopping 236 points, but alterations to the cars should mean a much tighter competition in 2014.
Melbourne, Australia
The cosmopolitan metropolis of Melbourne is a fantastic city to get the driving underway in, with fantastic weather and an epic racing circuit almost guaranteed.
The circuit itself is only a few miles from central Melbourne in the south of the city and circles the man-made Albert Park Lake.
It’s a popular venue every year and with a whole host of other attractions nearby, it’s the perfect city in which to get the racing underway.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Sepang international circuit is a tough one for drivers due to the heat and humidity of Malaysia, but as a spectacle, it is one that fans will not want to miss.
High standard hotels exist all around Kuala Lumpur and most are available at excellent prices, while the delights of both the city and the local area are all within easy reach.
For those who enjoy shopping, the city is an absolute paradise with malls, department stores and bazaars everywhere.
Bahrain
With vast straights and tight corners, the Bahrain International Circuit tests the ability of vehicles to the maximum and will be raced under flood lights in 2014, as it starts in the twilight hours.
The hot conditions dictate this in order to avoid the midday sun, while fans will look on to see if Vettel can make it three wins on the bounce around the desert circuit.
Funding a trip to the races
Travelling with a prepaid travel card can provide money to spend without the need to carry lots of travellers’ cheques or foreign currency.
With a prepaid card you can only spend the amount which is on it at any given time, making budget management possible, although it can be topped up if you so wish.
Additional security exists on these cards, while the exchange rate seen will be the one when the original transaction took place – providing protection should the exchange rate vary dramatically during a trip.
