What F1 race to attend?
Discussion
Heartworm said:
Last night it came up with my dad, neither of us have ever been to a formula 1 race, so next season before engine changes it will be,
Somewhere in Europe, thinking Spa, but what's it like from a spectator point of view at the track, will it be a better experience than silverstone?
Best spectating I've ever experienced is the section from Curva Grande to Ascari at Monza. GP2 and F1 cars through that whole section will take your breath away. Somewhere in Europe, thinking Spa, but what's it like from a spectator point of view at the track, will it be a better experience than silverstone?
Spa is epic and the history and atmosphere are second to none. Plus there's the noise which is totally different to anywhere else.
If you value good facilities then also worth considering Catalunya. The circuit isn't great, but as a spectator the views are excellent, the food good, the toilets clean, etc. It's an extremely pleasant place to pass a couple of days. Of course the proximity of Barcelona and the sunshine also help...
Silverstone is Silverstone. It's a wonderful place to watch powerful single seaters but you doubtless end up there half a dozen times a year watching other events anyway. Continental Europe offers awesome road trip potential. Enjoy your race wherever you end up!
I live near Barcelona and have visited the F1 there, as well as MOTOGP. It is an awful circuit I would recommend to nobody, I will never visit for a race again, it is much better on television. Nothing happens and if it did, you would not see it. Local infrastructure is very bad, hideous traffic and clogged Metro, motorbikes OK, car, a no no. Pleasant enough for practice and testing though.
My friend won the lottery and visited most of the European circuits, he said that Monza was the winner by a country mile, iirc he said you can do it very cheap and well from a Park wit the Tifosi, incredible atmosphere.
My friend won the lottery and visited most of the European circuits, he said that Monza was the winner by a country mile, iirc he said you can do it very cheap and well from a Park wit the Tifosi, incredible atmosphere.
Budapest. Great circuit for the spectator, cheap as chips and a beautiful city.
we bought tickets online from the offical ticket outlet http://www.hungaroinfo.com/formel1/index_en.htm
general admission is pretty good as its quite hilly so you can see a lot in the areas between silver 8 and silver 2 and you get to see a lot of the back section between gold 4 and silver 1. we had seats in silver 8 and they were very good, they are 108 euros for the weekend.... the website has a view from each stand so you can see in advance what the view is like, eg http://www.hungaroinfo.com/formel1/tickets_tri_sil...
there isnt much at the circuit though so you need to be well prepared. If you are a brave, camp there but you will be surrounded by Germans and boy can they drink!. Hotels in Budapest are cheap and most are good, trip advisor etc are worth a look. Taxis have a flat rate from the city to the circuit all weekend or there is a free coach from the station about 15 minutes walk north of the city. its not the best of areas though so be cautious and discreet. its not rough or anything, just a few chancers might try to con you or something.
we bought tickets online from the offical ticket outlet http://www.hungaroinfo.com/formel1/index_en.htm
general admission is pretty good as its quite hilly so you can see a lot in the areas between silver 8 and silver 2 and you get to see a lot of the back section between gold 4 and silver 1. we had seats in silver 8 and they were very good, they are 108 euros for the weekend.... the website has a view from each stand so you can see in advance what the view is like, eg http://www.hungaroinfo.com/formel1/tickets_tri_sil...
there isnt much at the circuit though so you need to be well prepared. If you are a brave, camp there but you will be surrounded by Germans and boy can they drink!. Hotels in Budapest are cheap and most are good, trip advisor etc are worth a look. Taxis have a flat rate from the city to the circuit all weekend or there is a free coach from the station about 15 minutes walk north of the city. its not the best of areas though so be cautious and discreet. its not rough or anything, just a few chancers might try to con you or something.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 29th December 13:34
Thanks everyone, I'm looking at Spa as the most likely now, loving the idea of taking the Tuscan over, can do an overnight sail from Newcastle to Amsterdam and then the drive looks good from there. The dates look good too, assuming they on't change things with the unconfirmed European race.
Really depends what excites you.
Number 1 rule - forget what's exciting or boring on television. An exciting race on TV does not mean so much when you're in the stands.
Spa has the most 'British' racing atmosphere. If you enjoy camping, crowd atmosphere, a few beers, the drive there and so on, then Spa or Monza is the place. But be aware, the F1 cars only pass you 44 times in the race at Spa and 53 at Monza. And they're not that close to you either.
I am hoping Turkey appears on 21st July as previously Turkey was unbelievably cheap to buy tickets for and it's near a great city to combine with the trip.
If you ever get the chance though, do Singapore.
Number 1 rule - forget what's exciting or boring on television. An exciting race on TV does not mean so much when you're in the stands.
Spa has the most 'British' racing atmosphere. If you enjoy camping, crowd atmosphere, a few beers, the drive there and so on, then Spa or Monza is the place. But be aware, the F1 cars only pass you 44 times in the race at Spa and 53 at Monza. And they're not that close to you either.
I am hoping Turkey appears on 21st July as previously Turkey was unbelievably cheap to buy tickets for and it's near a great city to combine with the trip.
If you ever get the chance though, do Singapore.
It's worth pointing out though that you can get phenomenally close to the cars at Monza. Throuh the Lesmos they are almost at touching distance. The point about the number of laps is entirely valid though - both Spa and Monza are over in a heartbeat. Support races are also worth considering. In Canada you get an historic F1 race which is entertaining and nice to see different cars than you see in Europe. An ex-Gilles T5 on the circuit which bears his name is a special sight...
Keep in mind Spa can be a cold damp place at the best of times, good fries though and not a fantastic place to stay. Silverstone can be a nightmare to get in too and I've never been a fan of the circuit. Barcelona is usually warm / hot, feels like you are on holiday! Monza packed with history, you can walk up the old banked circuit, although it's bloody steep. Germany host the loudest, they all have air horns, and worst dressed. Hungary has the cheapest fags. I liked Monaco for the atmos. Whatever one you go too, your first will be amazing.
Monaco does have a FANTASTIC atmosphere. I have sat in the front row at Tabac. Serious prices, but what a seat! You get the grid behind you, the cars going up the hill to your left, the tunnel exit in view, and of course Tabac and all the way to the exit of the Swimming Pool. 
Well worth the big bucks in my opinion.
Travel was unbelievably easy, bearable and quick too.
Well worth the big bucks in my opinion.Travel was unbelievably easy, bearable and quick too.
Interesting thread as i'm currently deciding which race to attend this year!
Personally i would recommend Monza, i've done Silverstone Spa and Monza. For me Monza was perfect. It was nice and hot, loads of action all day on a brilliant fast track. We sat at Ascari and saw loads! very well organised too, no queuing and everyone was polite and helpful. Spa is an awesome track but my god did it rain, HARD! Everything is really far apart and we got lost a lot lol! Still a good track but it didn't live up to Monza or Silverstone IMO. If you do decide on Spa be advised there are hardly any grandstands, nearly the whole track is G/A. Very glad we didn't bother with grandstand tickets for this reason.
ps it's true what people say, you just wont believe how steep Eau Rouge is until you see it in person! :O
HTH and have a good time!
Andy.
ps anyone have a view on which track is better between the Nurburg and Hungary?
Personally i would recommend Monza, i've done Silverstone Spa and Monza. For me Monza was perfect. It was nice and hot, loads of action all day on a brilliant fast track. We sat at Ascari and saw loads! very well organised too, no queuing and everyone was polite and helpful. Spa is an awesome track but my god did it rain, HARD! Everything is really far apart and we got lost a lot lol! Still a good track but it didn't live up to Monza or Silverstone IMO. If you do decide on Spa be advised there are hardly any grandstands, nearly the whole track is G/A. Very glad we didn't bother with grandstand tickets for this reason.
ps it's true what people say, you just wont believe how steep Eau Rouge is until you see it in person! :O
HTH and have a good time!
Andy.
ps anyone have a view on which track is better between the Nurburg and Hungary?
I tend to use general admin tickets and have been to most European circuits in recent years.
Spa is a brilliant circuit, but the weather can be a real downer.
Nurburg is a good spectator circuit and I might go there again unless the tbc European goes to Magny Cours.
Budapest is also brilliant as you can see much of the circuit from a single location, but it can get very hot there.
Catalunya is another hot circuit and its easy to find a good vantage point.
Monza is usually hot and you can get close to the action.
I have camped at all the above quite easily and have also found cheap accommodation in Budapest city.
I tend to get weekend tickets and use the practice and quali days to prioritise my vantage points for the races.
Hope this helps.
Spa is a brilliant circuit, but the weather can be a real downer.
Nurburg is a good spectator circuit and I might go there again unless the tbc European goes to Magny Cours.
Budapest is also brilliant as you can see much of the circuit from a single location, but it can get very hot there.
Catalunya is another hot circuit and its easy to find a good vantage point.
Monza is usually hot and you can get close to the action.
I have camped at all the above quite easily and have also found cheap accommodation in Budapest city.
I tend to get weekend tickets and use the practice and quali days to prioritise my vantage points for the races.
Hope this helps.
Edited by Oi U on Wednesday 2nd January 23:20
Edited by Oi U on Wednesday 2nd January 23:23
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