I was thinking of going to a race this year... How much?!

[w44neg]

I know it's been said a million times that F1 isn't cheap but after setting my heart on going to either Monza (again) or Spa this year, we've realised we can go on a nice cruise for the same sort of money when taking travel, accommodation and grandstands into consideration.

I'm now in two minds whether to just get some General Admission tickets and try to get grandstand seats on the day (if even possible), or just forget it and go on said cruise!

The prices are in no doubt thanks to someone called Bernie I guess.

[Dan_1981]

I've done both Spa and Monza all in for sub £300 in the last couple of years.

Granted GA tickets rather than grand stands but both of these tracks have good GA facilities.

Silverstone on the other hand is an over priced rip off.

[w44neg]

I went to Monza and found it hard to get a decent view with the GA tickets we had, so we managed to purchase Grandstand tickets. This was on the qualifying day though so I'm guessing it's nigh on impossible on race day.

Spa is my favourite race of the year on TV but I looked at the price of grandstand tickets and they're offered in Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers, with eye-watering prices for a day out. It makes Goodwood look like a bargain when you compare the activities on show!

[paulyv]

I am of the opinion that if you get to Spa around 8am you should get a more than acceptable spot with a GA ticket...on the straight before Pouhon would be my choice for somewhere with some room whilst also letting you see the cars at speed...there's even a screen or two there. Some people were still getting on to the banked area there at 11am a couple of seasons ago.

Edited by paulyv on Tuesday 24th February 23:56

[Norfolkit]

w44neg said:

I went to Monza and found it hard to get a decent view with the GA tickets we had, so we managed to purchase Grandstand tickets. This was on the qualifying day though so I'm guessing it's nigh on impossible on race day.

Not last year, our grandstand (Parabolica Interna A) was about 80% full on race day and the ticket office was open on race day, I know because we walked past it (that's the one just off Via Enzo Ferrari).
Incidentally, a three day ticket this year in that grandstand is £121, cheaper than last year(£149).

Edited by Norfolkit on Tuesday 24th February 01:24

[Henry Fiddleton]

Go on a cruise, and use the money saved to attend a WEC or other type of race?

Seriously, F1 is total rip off, and is not fan-centric.

Go to local event and get some hands on/ face to face (!!) exposure.

[jodypress]

Do it! I go every year to Silverstone with my Dad and do Grandstand tickets and love the British fans. Last year we drove to Spa and did GA but it's tough walking around with all the chairs and kit etc. Especially with a 74 year old. Great fans from all over though and prepared to get soaked at some stage during the weekend.

This year we're doing Monza. Booked 3 day grandstand at Laterale Parabolica A (approx £170 each), accommodation on Air bnb in Milan for £73 per night for a 2 bedroom apartment with balcony and approx £120 for flights. A lot cheaper than Silverstone for sure and really excited to go later this year.

[andburg]

Me and the GF did silverstone last year and yes its expensive for good grandstand tickets however if you camp there, and take advantage of the showers, entertainment, after party and make a proper weekend of its not so bad!

[jodypress]

andburg said:

Me and the GF did silverstone last year and yes its expensive for good grandstand tickets however if you camp there, and take advantage of the showers, entertainment, after party and make a proper weekend of its not so bad!

It also helps when a Brit wins too

[fomb]

Henry Fiddleton said:

Go on a cruise, and use the money saved to attend a WEC or other type of race?

I'm going to the WEC in Silverstone with my son. Both of us GA all day, with a pit walk before the race for the grand sum of £40.

[DanielSan]

Dan_1981 said:

I've done both Spa and Monza all in for sub £300 in the last couple of years.

Granted GA tickets rather than grand stands but both of these tracks have good GA facilities.

Silverstone on the other hand is an over priced rip off.

I always think grandstand seats at those 2 would be a bit of a waste, there's a good few places around both I'd want to view from, not be stuck in one seat for the duration.

[Dan_1981]

DanielSan said:

Dan_1981 said:

I've done both Spa and Monza all in for sub £300 in the last couple of years.

Granted GA tickets rather than grand stands but both of these tracks have good GA facilities.

Silverstone on the other hand is an over priced rip off.

I always think grandstand seats at those 2 would be a bit of a waste, there's a good few places around both I'd want to view from, not be stuck in one seat for the duration.

Spa inparticular was great with just GA. Monza is limited for the first quarter of the track or so but the final half or so is really easy to view.

[R1 Indy]

I did Monaco last year, it cost around around £2500 all in.

That included decent seats thurs-sun, around 10ish tanks of fuel for the CLK55, and a slight de-tour back through Switzerland, Germany, oh and a quick stop off at the Nurburgring for a few days.

[MattS3]

Just sorted out Barcelona for me and 3 mates.
4 bed apartment in Barcelona for Thurs thru to Monday was £140 each.
Flights were £109 return
Tickets to GP, well we went with a silver ticket option with F1 tickets which has cost £600 each but that's a reserved grandstand seat for Friday, sat and sun, plus food and beer for the 3 days with seating and marque style for lounging around.
It'll be as much for a lads weekend as much as the F1, so free booze at the circuit was an attraction, especially if it hot weather as we'll be able to sit about in the shade too.
It won't be as good as the yacht hospitality we had in Monaco 2 years ago, but that was about £5k just for 2 days and didn't include flights or accommodation. But we weren't paying for that then.

[lovechild]

Can't remember the costs as it was 7 years ago...............but,
A friend and I in my R32 GTR
2 more friends in an M3 CSL
Tickets for Eau Rouge, no accomodation booked
Tearing through Belgium in the evening
Finding a campsite full of maniacs playing gabba and launching explosives in the air!
Forgetting stuff like food, but substituting it for Jupilers instead
Friendly Hamilton/Ferrari grandstand rivalry throughout race
An event from start to finish

2008. Hamilton and Raikkonen's antics on the last lap, with Hamilton winning only to find out about the penalty on the ferry home.
Hamilton's 1st WDC that year.

It would take one hell of a cruise to be that.

[Barchettaman]

I think it cost about €40 for a stand ticket just before the Parabolica in Monza, in 2005 I think.

I cycled up from Milan, I was staying just off Corso Buenos Aires, think it was about an hour each way.

I wouldn't go again, crap spectator sport IMHO. Much better to watch it on the telly.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Barchettaman said:

I think it cost about €40 for a stand ticket just before the Parabolica in Monza, in 2005 I think.

I cycled up from Milan, I was staying just off Corso Buenos Aires, think it was about an hour each way.

I wouldn't go again, crap spectator sport IMHO. Much better to watch it on the telly.

We found exact opposite at Monza. Close the action, masses to see & do..didn't leave the circuit until 20.00 most nights. Absolutely amazing experience. Spoke to Jaques Villeneuve, Rob Smedley, Gary whatshisname the one time BBC 1 pundit. It was the best...but we did spend a fortune. (Most of it was due to us being dorks though )