FROM ÉPERNAY TO SPA: The homecoming for Moët & Chandon
FROM ÉPERNAY TO SPA: WHERE CRAFTSMANSHIP TAKES THE LEAD
Spa-Francorchamps is one of motorsport’s most legendary circuits, a place where history, tradition and the pursuit of excellence continuously converge. Nestled in the Ardennes, close to the Champagne region, it feels almost like a natural homecoming for Moët & Chandon.
Spa-Francorchamps has been part of Formula 1® since the inaugural FIA World ChampionshipTM in 1950 and continues to echo with the legacy of its earliest champions. Among them, Juan Manuel Fangio’s victory on 18 June 1950 remains a defining moment. Shortly after, his success at the French Grand Prix in Champagne brought him into direct contact with the Maison, where Paul Chandon-Moët and Count Frédéric Chandon de Briailles witnessed his triumph. An invitation to Château de Saran marked one of the earliest symbolic links between Moët & Chandon and the world of motorsport.
In 1950 at the Reims Grand PrixTM, Frédéric Chandon de Briailles spontaneously offered a bottle of champagne to the race winner. What began as a simple gesture of generosity became one of the most enduring rituals, a celebration that continues to unite drivers, teams and fans to this day.
At the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, this shared language of performance and refinement was embodied in finely crafted expressions: a contemporary tribute inspired by the Silver Jeroboam Trophy, and The Out Lap, an unparalleled culinary journey at the heart of Spa-Francorchamps.
THE SILVER TROPHY: RECRAFTING AN ICON OF VICTORY
This year, Moët & Chandon paid tribute to one of the most emblematic symbols of its history with motorsport. Thirty years ago, silver became a signature of victory for Moët & Chandon in Formula 1® through two distinct creations. During the 1996 and 1997 seasons, the Silver Jeroboam was raised on the podium by the race winner, while the Silver Trophy, a sculpted silver Jeroboam, was awarded at season's end to the driver with the most Grand Prix victories.
In 2026, Moët & Chandon honoured this heritage through a contemporary tribute inspired by this silver legacy. At Spa-Francorchamps, the creation was revealed in the trunk of an exceptional Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman that has belonged to the Maison since 1971. Long used to welcome distinguished guests to the Moët & Chandon estate, including Formula 1® figures such as Alain Prost and Jean Todt, the historic car returned to the world of racing with a new symbol of victory inside. By transforming this Maison mainstay into the setting for the new Silver Jeroboam Trophy, Moët & Chandon brought one chapter of its history into conversation with a modern ritual of victory.
THE OUT LAP: CULINARY CRAFTSMANSHIP INSIDE THE CIRCUIT
Spa-Francorchamps marked the inaugural chapter of The Out Lap, a first-of-its-kind hospitality experience co-designed by Formula 1® and Moët Hennessy. Designed as an intimate journey at the heart of the circuit, The Out Lap brought together racing storytelling, gastronomy and exceptional wines in a concept never experienced before.
Aboard a traveling table moving through the track, twelve guests were taken from one iconic location to another: from the summit of Raidillon to the foot of Eau Rouge, from the sweeping curves of Pouhon to the final meters before La Source. At each stop of The Out Lap, stories are shared where they happened, brought to life by a former Formula 1® driver whose memories and perspective revealed the defining moments of each circuit. At Spa-Francorchamps, this first-hand perspective allowed guests to experience one of motorsport’s most legendary tracks through the eyes of someone who had lived its intensity.
The journey through Spa-Francorchamps also continued through the Maison’s cuvées, presented by Benoît Gouez, Chef de Cave at Moët & Chandon. As part of a culinary experience created in close collaboration with Chef Yannick Alléno and designed to unfold with the circuit, the food and wine pairings became part of the narrative, revealing the precision and savoir-faire of the Maison’s wines.
“It was the best kind of creative challenge to tell the story of Spa-Francorchamps through our Maison’s cuvées and Chef Alléno’s cuisine, creating a dialogue between the precision of the circuit and the craft of champagne,” said Benoît Gouez. “At this track, every stop has a story. Each pairing was selected to echo its emotion, transforming the tasting into a journey through place, movement and memory.”
For this first edition, Yannick Alléno, Moët & Chandon’s Chef Ambassador and the world’s most Michelin-starred chef, with 26 restaurants worldwide, was invited to create an exclusive menu designed specifically for The Out Lap. Developed with Benoît Gouez, the sumptuous dishes included a warm royale and fish roe with the iconic Brut Impérial, poached langoustine with mayonnaise, lovage and black lemon paired with the bespoke creation Grand Vintage 2016, and wagyu beef, foie gras and glazed eel with the exceptional Grand Vintage Collection 1996.
“When I was invited to be the first chef to inaugurate The Out Lap at Spa-Francorchamps, I was immediately drawn to the ambition of the experience. Formula 1® and gastronomy share the same culture of performance, built on precision, innovation and the strength of the collective. Behind every victory, just as behind every exceptional gastronomic experience, there is a team, perfectly mastered gestures and unwavering attention to detail. I would like to thank Moët & Chandon and Moët Hennessy for inviting me to be part of this inaugural edition and for the opportunity to create, together with Benoît Gouez, an experience worthy of this legendary circuit,” stated Chef Yannick Alléno.
From the circuit to the podium, Moët & Chandon brought the craft of victory to life at Spa-Francorchamps, transforming celebration into an unforgettable shared moment.
ABOUT MOËT & CHANDON
Founded in 1743, Moët & Chandon draws on the largest terroir in Champagne to share its exceptional savoir-faire with the world through a rich and diverse portfolio of champagnes. Present in over 150 countries, the Maison’s craftsmanship is the art of turning champagne into emotion. It is a collective work shaped by many hands and hearts, where each bottle becomes an invitation to share joy and celebration. Guided by the deep belief that life is better when shared, the Maison’s range includes key expressions such as the timeless classic Brut Impérial, the bespoke creation Grand Vintage, the first champagne designed to be enjoyed on the rocks, Ice Impérial, and the ultimate expression of Haute Oenologie with Collection Impériale. Each expresses joyful fruitiness, refined maturity and effortless pleasure in every sip. As a leader in Champagne, the Maison is committed to the welfare of its people and communities, acting responsibly through its sustainability programs, Natura Nostra and Essentia, to pass on a preserved Nature for future generations.
ABOUT FORMULA 1®
Formula 1® racing began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, as well as the world’s most popular annual sporting series. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1® and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World ChampionshipTM. Formula 1® is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: FWONA, FWONK, LLYVA, LLVYK) attributed to the Formula One Group tracking stock. The F1 logo, F1 FORMULA 1 logo, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX, PADDOCK CLUB and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company. All rights reserved.
