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Throughout the city, it was impossible to escape the pervasive branding of Formula 1. Every shop, including those in the airport, was selling F1 merchandise, with enticing offers like “buy one, get the second 50% off.” This seemed to be the norm, although prices for items were steep: $150 for a Ferrari t-shirt and $60 for a Mercedes beanie. Surprisingly, Red Bull shirts were a relative bargain at $88. The variety of merchandise available was staggering, with items covering everything from branded water bottles to even Formula 1-themed boxer shorts in pharmacies!