What F1 race to attend?
Discussion
Oi U said:
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.
Thanks for the info, so would you recommend Germany over Hungary? i'm more inclined to do Hungary, partly because Hamilton is always successful there lol! 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
iva cosworth said:
I was unlucky enough to do Monza in 2008..........when it rained........ALOT.
I am sure it would be better in nice weather.
I paid 50E for a McLaren umbrella which is now broken
Fail! I am sure it would be better in nice weather.
I paid 50E for a McLaren umbrella which is now broken
I think the weather has a big impact on the enjoyment!ps i no longer buy Mclaren merchandise...... it's so crap! It always breaks! Lets just hope they don't make their cars like that!
Edited by Andy_vx on Wednesday 2nd January 23:53
Andy_vx said:
Oi U said:
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.
Thanks for the info, so would you recommend Germany over Hungary? i'm more inclined to do Hungary, partly because Hamilton is always successful there lol! 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
Edited by Oi U on Thursday 3rd January 00:17
iva cosworth said:
I was unlucky enough to do Monza in 2008..........when it rained........ALOT.
I am sure it would be better in nice weather.
I paid 50E for a McLaren umbrella which is now broken
I bought a cheap poncho at the metro station at Montreal in 2011. It served that Grand Prix and has also kept me dry at countless race meetings since. It's well worth keeping one in your motor racing bag (I'm not the only person who has one, right?) - comes in handy all the time and takes up virtually no space as well. I am sure it would be better in nice weather.
I paid 50E for a McLaren umbrella which is now broken
Going to Monza here with my old man.
Barcelona was first choice but the dates didn't work for us (buisness stuff)
Budapest but we went off that idea,Spa was in there but my old mans not keen.
So Monza it is.
Not sure on seating for Monza though,either be along the start finish line or down near into turn 1.
Browse the rest of the circuit during the weekend.
Barcelona was first choice but the dates didn't work for us (buisness stuff)
Budapest but we went off that idea,Spa was in there but my old mans not keen.
So Monza it is.
Not sure on seating for Monza though,either be along the start finish line or down near into turn 1.
Browse the rest of the circuit during the weekend.
Andy_vx said:
Fail! I think the weather has a big impact on the enjoyment!
ps i no longer buy Mclaren merchandise...... it's so crap! It always breaks! Lets just hope they don't make their cars like that!
I bought a McLaren top from a stall at Monaco. Everything looked legit, but it faded in the wash. I assumed it was fake - maybe it wasn't. I think the weather has a big impact on the enjoyment!ps i no longer buy Mclaren merchandise...... it's so crap! It always breaks! Lets just hope they don't make their cars like that!
Edited by Andy_vx on Wednesday 2nd January 23:53
woof said:
Monaco (been 6 times!) with Monza a very close second choice.
But I really want to go to Austin
Did Austin this year and much more enjoyable than Monaco IMHO. But I really want to go to Austin
If you go to Texas I suggest trying to find a house to rent - access to city and track were good this year. Had a treat on the Sunday night to find the Sauber drivers in the same restaurant as us [though keeping well apart from each other].
Just think - you could do US immigration at Vegas then head on to Austin after a couple of days......
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?
I went to Spa in 2004. It was wet. I was cold and miserable.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?
ETA: I still enjoyed myself.
Edited by CraigyMc on Monday 21st January 15:19
onomatopoeia said:
Am planning to go to Monza this year. By planning, I mean "decided I want to go and written some holiday on the board at work this morning", rather than actually looked into tickets etc. 
Questions about hotels and travel will no doubt be asked here at some point quite soon!
Just done the same today. We have ear marked an apartment in Milan near ish to the Central Station. Track is 30min train from there I believe. Questions about hotels and travel will no doubt be asked here at some point quite soon!Anyone else done this before? Tips?
John D. said:
onomatopoeia said:
Am planning to go to Monza this year. By planning, I mean "decided I want to go and written some holiday on the board at work this morning", rather than actually looked into tickets etc. Questions about hotels and travel will no doubt be asked here at some point quite soon!
Just done the same today. We have ear marked an apartment in Milan near ish to the Central Station. Track is 30min train from there I believe. Questions about hotels and travel will no doubt be asked here at some point quite soon!Anyone else done this before? Tips?
chevronb37 said:
Train is easy but the shuttle bus to and from the circuit is pretty mental. Also, be aware that it's about a half hour walk from the track to the bus stop. If it's hot make sure you have plenty of water with you. It almist killed me last year! We got coach transfers from Milan to Monza on race day and that is considerably easier so if it's an option I'd recommend it.
Where does the coach transfer depart from? How do we book?John D. said:
chevronb37 said:
Train is easy but the shuttle bus to and from the circuit is pretty mental. Also, be aware that it's about a half hour walk from the track to the bus stop. If it's hot make sure you have plenty of water with you. It almist killed me last year! We got coach transfers from Milan to Monza on race day and that is considerably easier so if it's an option I'd recommend it.
Where does the coach transfer depart from? How do we book?It's difficult to make an informed decision as everyone’s opinion varies wildly on this subject. To add my thoughts on the races I have been lucky to attend so far;
Silverstone 1995 and 2005 - Enjoyed both very much, coming from Aberdeen it still felt like a 'road trip'. Particularly in 2005 the weather was great and we camped just outside of Copse Corner. The atmosphere was great in the camp site with lots of beer, BBQ's and live music etc. Downsides - weather is unpredictable, cost of things once in the circuit is quite high and it doesn't feel that 'special' watching an F1 race in this country unfortunately.
Monaco 2005 - Absolutely Epic. To experience V10 F1 cars through Monaco is something I'll never forget. One tip I'd pass on is to sit in different areas on each of the days (Thurs, Sat and Sunday). This way you get a chance to see different parts to the track - I would say it's more important to do this at Monaco than anywhere else given the vantage points and infrastructure of the town. Easy to get to Monaco (Easyjet to Nice) then either hire a car or get a train along the Cote d'Azur directly into Monaco. Surprisingly food and drink can be done reasonably priced once there and accommodation isn't too bad if you are happy with a 15 minute train journey each morning. Absolutely no downsides!
Barcelona 2007 - Enjoyed very much, have been there for preseason in the past also. I would echo the previous comments that the circuit set up and facilities are very good. Getting to the track is very difficult though. Don't try and drive, we also tried the train but it was almost as bad. We ended up meeting a local taxi driver who looked after us for the 3 days and knew lots of sneaky back roads. The only criticism to Barcelona is that the track is quite bland and the races are often quite boring. There is however the added benefit that you can combine with a city break in Barcelona.
Spa - 2007 - Fantastic, the entire trip, circuit, atmosphere, weather, everything was beyond my expectations. Stayed in a self-catering farmhouse nearby and rented a car. Sat at the Grandstand at Eau Rouge for the 3 days. Also walked the entire track after the race, the hills are quite brutal when on foot! Easy to get too, everything is reasonably priced. As someone else said it has a very British feel to it which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Downsides - Weather can be patchy and there is a lot of walking involved no matter where you are seated.
Valencia 2012 - By far my favourite so far, such a shame it's not on the calendar this year. Contrary to other reports that it's a bland, boring event, myself and a friend had a fantastic time. Weather was great, Grandstand located right next to the beach with plenty of bars and food. Valencia as a city was great fun with fantastic night life. To witness Alonso winning in the fashion he did last year, in Spain was very special. Everything inside the circuit was very reasonably priced, 2 Euros for a beer! There are lots of F1 inspired nightclubs and bars etc during the whole weekend. During the race the atmosphere in the grandstands was the best I've experienced so far. Let’s hope it comes back this year!!!
Silverstone 1995 and 2005 - Enjoyed both very much, coming from Aberdeen it still felt like a 'road trip'. Particularly in 2005 the weather was great and we camped just outside of Copse Corner. The atmosphere was great in the camp site with lots of beer, BBQ's and live music etc. Downsides - weather is unpredictable, cost of things once in the circuit is quite high and it doesn't feel that 'special' watching an F1 race in this country unfortunately.
Monaco 2005 - Absolutely Epic. To experience V10 F1 cars through Monaco is something I'll never forget. One tip I'd pass on is to sit in different areas on each of the days (Thurs, Sat and Sunday). This way you get a chance to see different parts to the track - I would say it's more important to do this at Monaco than anywhere else given the vantage points and infrastructure of the town. Easy to get to Monaco (Easyjet to Nice) then either hire a car or get a train along the Cote d'Azur directly into Monaco. Surprisingly food and drink can be done reasonably priced once there and accommodation isn't too bad if you are happy with a 15 minute train journey each morning. Absolutely no downsides!
Barcelona 2007 - Enjoyed very much, have been there for preseason in the past also. I would echo the previous comments that the circuit set up and facilities are very good. Getting to the track is very difficult though. Don't try and drive, we also tried the train but it was almost as bad. We ended up meeting a local taxi driver who looked after us for the 3 days and knew lots of sneaky back roads. The only criticism to Barcelona is that the track is quite bland and the races are often quite boring. There is however the added benefit that you can combine with a city break in Barcelona.
Spa - 2007 - Fantastic, the entire trip, circuit, atmosphere, weather, everything was beyond my expectations. Stayed in a self-catering farmhouse nearby and rented a car. Sat at the Grandstand at Eau Rouge for the 3 days. Also walked the entire track after the race, the hills are quite brutal when on foot! Easy to get too, everything is reasonably priced. As someone else said it has a very British feel to it which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Downsides - Weather can be patchy and there is a lot of walking involved no matter where you are seated.
Valencia 2012 - By far my favourite so far, such a shame it's not on the calendar this year. Contrary to other reports that it's a bland, boring event, myself and a friend had a fantastic time. Weather was great, Grandstand located right next to the beach with plenty of bars and food. Valencia as a city was great fun with fantastic night life. To witness Alonso winning in the fashion he did last year, in Spain was very special. Everything inside the circuit was very reasonably priced, 2 Euros for a beer! There are lots of F1 inspired nightclubs and bars etc during the whole weekend. During the race the atmosphere in the grandstands was the best I've experienced so far. Let’s hope it comes back this year!!!
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