The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Turn 1 Eau de Parfum was launched in 2021 by F1 Parfums, with Fabrice Pellegrin as perfumer. Its name points directly to the language of motor racing, and the composition carries that association through a charged mix of citrus, pink pepper, salt, leather, patchouli, and woods. Bergamot and mandarin orange create a bright opening, while pink pepper adds a clean flare. The heart moves toward geranium, green apple, and salty notes, giving the fragrance a fresh, mineral edge. Ambergris, Canary Islands juniper, leather, patchouli, and woody notes form the foundation. The result is less a formal portrait of racing than an engineered impression of speed, machinery, and open air.
The unusual part is the contrast inside Turn 1. Citrus and green apple bring brightness, but they don't soften the composition for long. Salty notes introduce a marine tension, while leather, patchouli, and woods pull the scent toward hot tarmac and worn racing surfaces. Geranium adds a sharpened floral edge without becoming the main event. Together, the materials behave like a formula being tuned: fresh at first, mineral through the middle, and increasingly tactile as the warm woods settle in.
The evolution
The opening lands like a pit-lane snap: bergamot and mandarin orange cut through the air, sharpened by pink pepper. Soon, geranium and green apple bring a crisp green-fruity rhythm, but the heart quickly turns maritime. Salty notes take over, creating the impression of sea spray over warm stone or salt drying on hot machinery. As the fragrance settles, leather becomes the most persistent material. Patchouli and woody notes deepen that heat, while ambergris adds a mineral, skin-warm quality and Canary Islands juniper lends a dry, herbal edge. The result lingers as a smoky, salty trail rather than a neat citrus burst, with the leather and patchouli continuing well beyond the brighter opening.
Cultural impact
Turn 1 sits within F1 Parfums' motorsport-inspired world, where fragrance is framed as a precise performance system rather than an exercise in nostalgia. Its strongest cultural appeal comes from the direct translation of racing imagery into scent, especially for wearers drawn to leather, smoke, salt, and engineered materials. The name and composition connect everyday fragrance with the visual force of Formula 1 design, making Turn 1 a clear expression of the house's performance-first identity.
The House
F1 ParfumsF1 Parfums is a niche fragrance house that entered the market in 2020 with a focus on engineered scent compositions. The brand’s first releases – F1 I and F1 II – introduced a line‑up that blends high‑tech ingredients with classic perfume materials. Since then the catalogue has grown to include Overtake 320, Precious Mettle, Neeum White and Carbon Reign, each presented in both Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette formats. The collection targets consumers who appreciate a performance‑driven approach to fragrance, where precision and creativity intersect in every bottle.
The Creator
Fabrice PellegrinPellegrin's style often leans towards a bright, fresh feel, frequently incorporating citrus notes and clean musks. He's known for his skill in creating light and airy fragrances, yet with surprising depth and longevity.
