The Difference Between Chasing Access and Arriving With Purpose
Series: Automotive & Motorsport Culture
Formula 1 Barcelona, 2025.
Exactly a year ago, I spent thousands of dollars on a VIP ticket to attend Formula 1 Barcelona in the hopes that it would somehow kickstart the life and business I was trying to build.
This year, I was invited to the Velocity Invitational with media credentials and VIP access.
The difference between those two experiences has nothing to do with money.
Searching for Access
After officially establishing my business, Wanderlustrian House, I decided to take a bold step into the automotive industry to gain clientele. I was becoming increasingly interested in Formula 1, and I was already set for a week-long Mediterranean cruise that happened to depart from Barcelona the same weekend as the race. I convinced myself that it was fate. At the time, it felt like too much of a coincidence to ignore.
*The F1 Barcelona race occurred May 29-June 1, 2025 – these dates matter.
I was convinced that if I was going to make the decision to go, I would need to position myself in an environment that would give me deeper access not just to the sport, but to the world behind it. And, not to mention, I’m admittedly a little more on the bougie side, so a VIP package made the most sense for me. After extensive research and conversations with my inner circle, I took the leap and opted for the Rising Stars VIP package, focusing on the F2 and F3 series at the F1 Barcelona race. I envisioned a networking gold mine, full of opportunities to exchange business cards with industry professionals and insiders, all while getting a full behind-the-scenes look into a world that I had only dreamed of being a part of.
When the Promise Doesn’t Match the Reality
In reality, my F1 Barcelona was quite disappointing. A package that promised premium treatment paired with meet and greets and exclusive access, in actuality, provided me with confusion, the feeling of being an outsider, and a literal physical breakdown–I sprained my ankle, VERY badly. One thing I learned very quickly while at this race was that a premium ticket doesn’t necessarily mean the event production was premium at all levels. Getting dropped off on the opposite side of where I needed to be at a specific time taught me that lesson.
An event I expected to be top-tier in logistics and flow for VIP guests turned out to have glaring logistical disruptions around staff briefing and dismissive treatment of a solo, minority attendee. After receiving a high-level look at the various aspects of event production at a prestigious event, I realized that my decades-long expertise in service, event management, and production could be welcomed in a space like this–especially with my perspective of a consumer and professional in what is considered a minority group.
*I’ll save my deeper takes on F1 Barcelona’s failed opportunities for a more seamlessly produced event in my next newsletter.
All in all, the F1 Barcelona event revealed an obvious disconnect between the promise and reality of motorsport. The automotive and motorsport industries have historically been highly coveted and exclusive spaces, particularly because of the high costs associated with cars and racing. So, a particular subset of individuals has been able to dictate the ins and outs of who attends and is welcomed into this world at a premium, professional level. The disparities of identities within the car world, specifically around race, industry experience, and, most prominently, wealth, are what cause many people like me to sometimes hesitate to try their hand at entering this world.
This isn’t to say that my own insecurities and underlying blocks didn’t play a part in how I moved through the F1 paddock, as they definitely had a significant impact on my experience. However, the piece that affected my ordeal was my ignorance of how to move with purpose throughout the space.
What It Gave Me
The overall disappointment of the F1 Barcelona VIP experience gave me perspective. I realized that these luxury automotive spaces are way more complex. Having the ticket doesn’t automatically give you access–it’s earned through various techniques, such as strategy, positioning, and patience. This perspective led me to officially join the EIE Motorsport Mentorship community, a group led by industry expert Stefanie Dechant that provides aspiring motorsport professionals with the tools needed to enter the industry purposefully.
I also decided to begin my storytelling journey around access and equity after my F1 mishap, starting a YouTube channel and a series called “What I Was Promised vs What I Got”. Ironically enough, I haven’t added to that conversation on YouTube since then, but that’s not the focus here.
The point is that without F1 Barcelona, there would be no clarity. No clarity around my brand angle and storytelling lens. No understanding of how access actually functions. No full-circle moment to implement my various skillsets into a comprehensive offering of services through my business.
The Shift
Fast forward to now–I’ve started to truly shape my brand and my voice. I can now confidently say that Wanderlustrian House is an editorial-led media and production studio exploring culture, automotive and mobility, access, and lived experience. WH develops narrative-driven storytelling that turns access into insight—centering perspective, cultural context, and long-term relevance over campaigns and trends.
I now have the pleasure of offering a list of services, including short- to long-form documentaries, live streams/webinars, and experiential/event storytelling. I began my own newsletter, Wanderlustrian Wednesdays, that explores culture, access, and lived experience across automotive, travel, work, and beyond.
Through sharing what I’m building publicly–no matter how uncomfortable–an executive at Velocity Invitational came across one of my posts and offered to have me attend said event. With a little back and forth, I’m now proud to say that Wanderlustrian House is attending the Velocity Invitational on *May 29-31, 2026, with media credentials and VIP access.
The moment I stopped trying to force myself into these spaces and started developing a genuine perspective on them, things began shifting.
Returning Differently
Last year, I was chasing a dream, trying to prove to myself and others that I belonged in an ecosystem that I quietly watched from afar for years. And now, exactly one year later, I was invited, relationships are being established, I’m being credentialed, and most importantly, I’m clearer on my purpose.
So much has changed in exactly one year. Imagine what else can shift in the next 365 days…
A year ago, I entered this world searching for a sense of belonging.
This year, I’m returning to it with perspective.
I’m still figuring out exactly where this road leads, but I know I want to tell stories that make people feel seen inside spaces they’ve always dreamed of entering.
If that resonates with the work you’re building, let’s talk.
Zoë Benjamin
Founder & CEO of Wanderlustrian House
I love this!!! You make me so interested in cars and the experience of Motorsport