Formula 1 to visit Chicago for Soldier Field Fan Festival

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Formula 1 will roar into Chicago on June 8 for a program of entertainment and live demos that will constitute the sport's second Fan Festival of the year.

After last month's event in Shanghai that marked the 1000th Grand Prix, fans will have an opportunity to immerse themselves into the world of F1 at the Windy City's historic Solder Field site, the home of the NFL's Chicago Bears.

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Attendees will enjoy driver appearances, a live driving exhibition on Museum Campus Drive and the usual array of demos, donuts and burnt rubber.

Sponsors will join in on the fun with a series of activities while American band Judah & the Lion will provide the music in the evening.

The Emirates F1 Chicago Festival will take place on the weekend of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, a timing that will allow fans to follow the event's qualifying session live on Saturday afternoon.

"Following the huge success of the Shanghai festival, we are excited to be heading to Chicago - a city known to hold the most enthusiastic of sports fans," said Sean Bratches, F1's Managing Director of Commercial Operations.

"We are looking forward to taking F1 to the US and immersing fans in the race day atmosphere and showing the Windy City all that F1 has to offer."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.