FOR many motorsport fans, Formula 1 is a religion. Now one city church is aiming to take this to the next level – by screening races.
St Andrew's Church, at the junction of Mansfield Road and Mapperley Road, will show this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix on its big screen projector, and is inviting the whole community to join in the spectacle.
Reverend Richard Clark, who has been vicar at St Andrew's for 21 years, said: "There's no obligation, but if people want to stay for the service afterwards that's great. If they want to just watch the race on the big screen they will be equally welcome.
"Jesus is interested in every part of community life and bringing people together. That's the point of a church, it's a gathering place.
"There's always going to be limits as to what we can do inside a church building but this is just a great chance to bring people together."
The church first screened major events on its projector last year, including the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.
It also screened the final Formula 1 race of the 2012 season, the Brazilian Grand Prix, in November.
Parishioner and F1 fan Chris Howes, 38, of Sherwood, came up with the idea for the church screening races.
He said everyone would be welcome to watch Brits Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Paul di Resta and Max Chilton in action at the circuit of Shanghai.
Mr Howes, who has attended the church since 2007, said: "We decided to screen the opening ceremony of the Olympics last year and this kind of stemmed from there.
"Everyone in the congregation knows of my love of F1, and I said why not show a race? We showed the Brazilian Grand Prix and that was a success, so we decided to go for a few more."
He added: "However, to get somebody into church is a good thing. It doesn't have to be for a church service.
"Once they are through the doors it breaks all those negative attitudes towards church, like it's stuffy, cold, and full of hard pews.
"A church isn't about the building. It's the people inside that building, and we are warm and friendly people.
"Even if people just come for the F1 and then leave, that's fine."
As for Sunday's race, Mr Howes said he would be cheering on Jenson Button.
He said: "I'm a big fan of his and follow him on Twitter. McLaren haven't had the best of starts this season, but they've proved time and again that they can turn it around."
The church will open its doors at 7.30am on Sunday in time for the start of the race at 8am.
Breakfast will be laid on at the church for those who come along to watch the race, in exchange for a donation towards church funds.
The race is due to be finished in time for the church's regular morning service at 10.30am.
The Chinese Grand Prix is the first of four F1 races the church plans to screen over the coming months.
It is also planning to show the Canadian Grand Prix on June 9, the Italian Grand Prix on September 8, and the Brazilian Grand Prix on November 24.
Sports fans can also watch the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final on July 7, and enjoy a strawberry cream tea.
Anyone who would like to watch the race at St Andrew's is asked to call the church office on 0115 912 0098, or to text the church mobile on 07970 823462.
