Silverstone VIP Hospitality
Discussion
Hi, just wondering if anyone has had access to this previously so I know what to expect as I have never been to Silverstone let alone in the hospitality area.
Through work I am to be a guest of Ferrari in their own version of the paddock club. With breakfast in the motorhome, pit walks, driver talks etc.
Im assuming this is a pretty good level of access - do you think there is a chance of meeting other drivers etc.
My access is for the qualification day (sat)
Thanks
Through work I am to be a guest of Ferrari in their own version of the paddock club. With breakfast in the motorhome, pit walks, driver talks etc.
Im assuming this is a pretty good level of access - do you think there is a chance of meeting other drivers etc.
My access is for the qualification day (sat)
Thanks
Have been fortunate to have enjoyed this previously. Your day will likely be one of the following:
Access to privileged viewing grandstands and a marquee offering a nice selection of food, drinks - possibly a free bar and snacks. The drivers that will come and do talks are unlikely (though not impossible) to be Vettel or Leclerc. Most likely development drivers or others associated with Ferrari. You might get lucky and meet a a few of the current drivers but don't bank on it. This will most likely be in an area away from the main pits and paddock (these facilities used to be located on the inside of Copse). Tours of the motorhome and pit lane will be swift and at a time when not much is happening but still interesting.
Or
You may have hit the jackpot and be granted full Ferrari hospitality. Access to the Paddock Club directly above the pit lane - maybe even the Ferrari motorhome and timed access to the garage. If this is the case, you will have access everywhere other than the pit lane. Bumping into drivers will be a foregone.
Either will be a highly enjoyable day.
No need to suit it and boot it but don't turn up in normal race-fan gear either. Smart jeans and a polo top will be fine. If the booze is free, don't overdo it - I hear that drunks tend to be removed very robustly.
Arrive early - stay late and suck up the atmosphere.
Enjoy!
Access to privileged viewing grandstands and a marquee offering a nice selection of food, drinks - possibly a free bar and snacks. The drivers that will come and do talks are unlikely (though not impossible) to be Vettel or Leclerc. Most likely development drivers or others associated with Ferrari. You might get lucky and meet a a few of the current drivers but don't bank on it. This will most likely be in an area away from the main pits and paddock (these facilities used to be located on the inside of Copse). Tours of the motorhome and pit lane will be swift and at a time when not much is happening but still interesting.
Or
You may have hit the jackpot and be granted full Ferrari hospitality. Access to the Paddock Club directly above the pit lane - maybe even the Ferrari motorhome and timed access to the garage. If this is the case, you will have access everywhere other than the pit lane. Bumping into drivers will be a foregone.
Either will be a highly enjoyable day.
No need to suit it and boot it but don't turn up in normal race-fan gear either. Smart jeans and a polo top will be fine. If the booze is free, don't overdo it - I hear that drunks tend to be removed very robustly.
Arrive early - stay late and suck up the atmosphere.
Enjoy!
Thanks,
I believe from the email itinerary i have just received it is full Ferarri hospitality.
We have breakfast in the ferarri motorhome to start with their head of IT
Then the lounge is the ferrari f1 paddock club with a number of events throughout the day, one of which it says is a talk with Charles Leclerc, and a number of golden ticket tours etc.
Really starting to get excited for it now.
I believe from the email itinerary i have just received it is full Ferarri hospitality.
We have breakfast in the ferarri motorhome to start with their head of IT
Then the lounge is the ferrari f1 paddock club with a number of events throughout the day, one of which it says is a talk with Charles Leclerc, and a number of golden ticket tours etc.
Really starting to get excited for it now.
Arkenar13 said:
Thanks,
I believe from the email itinerary i have just received it is full Ferarri hospitality.
We have breakfast in the ferarri motorhome to start with their head of IT
Then the lounge is the ferrari f1 paddock club with a number of events throughout the day, one of which it says is a talk with Charles Leclerc, and a number of golden ticket tours etc.
Really starting to get excited for it now.
Lucky, lucky bI believe from the email itinerary i have just received it is full Ferarri hospitality.
We have breakfast in the ferarri motorhome to start with their head of IT
Then the lounge is the ferrari f1 paddock club with a number of events throughout the day, one of which it says is a talk with Charles Leclerc, and a number of golden ticket tours etc.
Really starting to get excited for it now.
d, so jealous! Have a great day.Thanks, im very much looking forward to it.
I had no idea what to expect hence the post but ill try tk get some pictures and stuff and post them up on here after the weekend.
Was an unexpected surprise really as on of the other managers in my team turned it down for some reason (allocation was based on length of service in the team).
So it fell to me and i jumped at it. Looks like loads is happening on the day so yes i am planning on staying as long as possible and trying to see everything i can.
Shame its not race day but qualifying is plenty for me .
I had no idea what to expect hence the post but ill try tk get some pictures and stuff and post them up on here after the weekend.
Was an unexpected surprise really as on of the other managers in my team turned it down for some reason (allocation was based on length of service in the team).
So it fell to me and i jumped at it. Looks like loads is happening on the day so yes i am planning on staying as long as possible and trying to see everything i can.
Shame its not race day but qualifying is plenty for me .
I did it with McLaren in 1990 and 91. Absolutely fabulous days.
Don't expect too many of the others to know about formula 1. In fact, on my table just two of us were nerdish. This helped as the host, a chap called Michael Holt, took us around the pits and got us introduced to lots of different people, a joy not allowed those their for the food and alcohol. I was grunted at by Ron Dennis.
Before going out to the reserved stand for morning practice, I asked Michael my seat number. He reckoned that I'd have my choice. When it started, there were about half-a-dozen of us. The numbers did not even double.
I don't want to appear shallow, but I was in the pits proper when the plebs (like me when I could afford it) went for their pits walkabout - the other side of the tape of course. I hoped that some of them looked at me and thought; Who's that lucky bugger.
I went smartly dressed in trousers, shirt and leather shoes. Some on my table were in suits, but most were a little scruffy. I'm glad I had taken the trouble.
The food was very tasty, with a remarkable choice. The alcohol was free but it's best not to give into the temptation. The wine was not house type I’m told, but decent quality. I'm tee-total so it was easy to refuse, but some slept through qually. Not, I think, that that bothered them.
As another person said, go early, stay late. Stay until they throw you out. On one of my days, Nigel Mansell came into the Club on a monkey bike and offered rides on the back to any kid who wanted one. (Big kids not allowed, much to my irritation.) He stayed until he had no more takers.
It was a great day, made even better by the professionalism of the host and his team. Nothing was too much trouble. Driving in with the parking pass on the screen with everyone directing me even before I had to point to the badge, was sublime. I’d hired a car, as I didn't want to let my mate, who'd got me the invite, down by parking my 12-year-old Volvo in with the rest. A needless affectation as there were a number of such old cars. He even told me off.
It was great. If anyone would like to take me as their guest, I’d be only too happy to do it again.
Don't expect too many of the others to know about formula 1. In fact, on my table just two of us were nerdish. This helped as the host, a chap called Michael Holt, took us around the pits and got us introduced to lots of different people, a joy not allowed those their for the food and alcohol. I was grunted at by Ron Dennis.
Before going out to the reserved stand for morning practice, I asked Michael my seat number. He reckoned that I'd have my choice. When it started, there were about half-a-dozen of us. The numbers did not even double.
I don't want to appear shallow, but I was in the pits proper when the plebs (like me when I could afford it) went for their pits walkabout - the other side of the tape of course. I hoped that some of them looked at me and thought; Who's that lucky bugger.
I went smartly dressed in trousers, shirt and leather shoes. Some on my table were in suits, but most were a little scruffy. I'm glad I had taken the trouble.
The food was very tasty, with a remarkable choice. The alcohol was free but it's best not to give into the temptation. The wine was not house type I’m told, but decent quality. I'm tee-total so it was easy to refuse, but some slept through qually. Not, I think, that that bothered them.
As another person said, go early, stay late. Stay until they throw you out. On one of my days, Nigel Mansell came into the Club on a monkey bike and offered rides on the back to any kid who wanted one. (Big kids not allowed, much to my irritation.) He stayed until he had no more takers.
It was a great day, made even better by the professionalism of the host and his team. Nothing was too much trouble. Driving in with the parking pass on the screen with everyone directing me even before I had to point to the badge, was sublime. I’d hired a car, as I didn't want to let my mate, who'd got me the invite, down by parking my 12-year-old Volvo in with the rest. A needless affectation as there were a number of such old cars. He even told me off.
It was great. If anyone would like to take me as their guest, I’d be only too happy to do it again.
Arkenar13 said:
Thanks,
I believe from the email itinerary i have just received it is full Ferarri hospitality.
You've won the lottery my friend. Good on yer!I believe from the email itinerary i have just received it is full Ferarri hospitality.
Derek mentioned the many that will be there because they can be there.
In my experience of such access (the most recent being Le Mans) - genuine interest and enthusiasm is noted and appreciated by the hosts and marks you out as chap of genuine interest rather than the usual 'suit on a jolly'.
Get some photos and post 'em here when you get back!
StevieBee said:
Get some photos and post 'em here when you get back!
Hold on, there. He'll be full of himself. He'll tell us all how great it all was and we'll have to congratulate him and make out we are so pleased with him, and not in the least bit, not the tiniest bit, jealous. I’m not sure I could cope.Derek Smith said:
StevieBee said:
Get some photos and post 'em here when you get back!
Hold on, there. He'll be full of himself. He'll tell us all how great it all was and we'll have to congratulate him and make out we are so pleased with him, and not in the least bit, not the tiniest bit, jealous. I’m not sure I could cope.StevieBee said:
Derek Smith said:
StevieBee said:
Get some photos and post 'em here when you get back!
Hold on, there. He'll be full of himself. He'll tell us all how great it all was and we'll have to congratulate him and make out we are so pleased with him, and not in the least bit, not the tiniest bit, jealous. I’m not sure I could cope.I asked one of the mechanics in the McL pits to take a photo of me with the barrier tape and then the pits walkabout crowds in the background. He reckoned it was the first time anyone had asked for that.
Derek Smith said:
I did it with McLaren in 1990 and 91. Absolutely fabulous days.
Don't expect too many of the others to know about formula 1. In fact, on my table just two of us were nerdish. This helped as the host, a chap called Michael Holt, took us around the pits and got us introduced to lots of different people, a joy not allowed those their for the food and alcohol. I was grunted at by Ron Dennis.
Before going out to the reserved stand for morning practice, I asked Michael my seat number. He reckoned that I'd have my choice. When it started, there were about half-a-dozen of us. The numbers did not even double.
I don't want to appear shallow, but I was in the pits proper when the plebs (like me when I could afford it) went for their pits walkabout - the other side of the tape of course. I hoped that some of them looked at me and thought; Who's that lucky bugger.
I went smartly dressed in trousers, shirt and leather shoes. Some on my table were in suits, but most were a little scruffy. I'm glad I had taken the trouble.
The food was very tasty, with a remarkable choice. The alcohol was free but it's best not to give into the temptation. The wine was not house type I’m told, but decent quality. I'm tee-total so it was easy to refuse, but some slept through qually. Not, I think, that that bothered them.
As another person said, go early, stay late. Stay until they throw you out. On one of my days, Nigel Mansell came into the Club on a monkey bike and offered rides on the back to any kid who wanted one. (Big kids not allowed, much to my irritation.) He stayed until he had no more takers.
It was a great day, made even better by the professionalism of the host and his team. Nothing was too much trouble. Driving in with the parking pass on the screen with everyone directing me even before I had to point to the badge, was sublime. I’d hired a car, as I didn't want to let my mate, who'd got me the invite, down by parking my 12-year-old Volvo in with the rest. A needless affectation as there were a number of such old cars. He even told me off.
It was great. If anyone would like to take me as their guest, I’d be only too happy to do it again.
Funny that you mention Michael, I worked with him 20 years ago and he is still loosely associated with the McLaren Ex Employees Facebook group. A charming fellow and we did a number of GP's together towards the end of the 90's. He was part of the management team at Courtaulds, a supplier to McLaren.Don't expect too many of the others to know about formula 1. In fact, on my table just two of us were nerdish. This helped as the host, a chap called Michael Holt, took us around the pits and got us introduced to lots of different people, a joy not allowed those their for the food and alcohol. I was grunted at by Ron Dennis.
Before going out to the reserved stand for morning practice, I asked Michael my seat number. He reckoned that I'd have my choice. When it started, there were about half-a-dozen of us. The numbers did not even double.
I don't want to appear shallow, but I was in the pits proper when the plebs (like me when I could afford it) went for their pits walkabout - the other side of the tape of course. I hoped that some of them looked at me and thought; Who's that lucky bugger.
I went smartly dressed in trousers, shirt and leather shoes. Some on my table were in suits, but most were a little scruffy. I'm glad I had taken the trouble.
The food was very tasty, with a remarkable choice. The alcohol was free but it's best not to give into the temptation. The wine was not house type I’m told, but decent quality. I'm tee-total so it was easy to refuse, but some slept through qually. Not, I think, that that bothered them.
As another person said, go early, stay late. Stay until they throw you out. On one of my days, Nigel Mansell came into the Club on a monkey bike and offered rides on the back to any kid who wanted one. (Big kids not allowed, much to my irritation.) He stayed until he had no more takers.
It was a great day, made even better by the professionalism of the host and his team. Nothing was too much trouble. Driving in with the parking pass on the screen with everyone directing me even before I had to point to the badge, was sublime. I’d hired a car, as I didn't want to let my mate, who'd got me the invite, down by parking my 12-year-old Volvo in with the rest. A needless affectation as there were a number of such old cars. He even told me off.
It was great. If anyone would like to take me as their guest, I’d be only too happy to do it again.
Arkenar13 said:
Thanks,
I believe from the email itinerary i have just received it is full Ferarri hospitality.
We have breakfast in the ferarri motorhome to start with their head of IT
Then the lounge is the ferrari f1 paddock club with a number of events throughout the day, one of which it says is a talk with Charles Leclerc, and a number of golden ticket tours etc.
Really starting to get excited for it now.
Bit of homework for you - it is Ferrari, not ferarri ....I believe from the email itinerary i have just received it is full Ferarri hospitality.
We have breakfast in the ferarri motorhome to start with their head of IT
Then the lounge is the ferrari f1 paddock club with a number of events throughout the day, one of which it says is a talk with Charles Leclerc, and a number of golden ticket tours etc.
Really starting to get excited for it now.
Enjoy though - even if you get a better view of the actual racing out with the plebs
belleair302 said:
Funny that you mention Michael, I worked with him 20 years ago and he is still loosely associated with the McLaren Ex Employees Facebook group. A charming fellow and we did a number of GP's together towards the end of the 90's. He was part of the management team at Courtaulds, a supplier to McLaren.
Thanks for that. I found him charming, and chatty.My friend worked for Courtaulds. He was quite high up in sales and had got VW to buy seat covers for a new range of Golfs, something to talk about. He got to invite a guest for two years - me. He also got to spend the race in the Tyrell pits and see a tyre change at, I think, the German GP. This was the ultmate accolade as a manager. He was instructed what to do: stand on one side of a line painted on the floor. When the car came to a stop, he was to await a signal and then take just two steps forward to a little tyre barrier they'd erected to protect him.
He was very excited, as were the pit crew. He was told when the car was coming in. The temptation to step forward was almost irrisistable. The car came to a sudden halt, he got the signal, he took two steps forward, just in time to see the car leave the pits with just enough smoke from the tyres to obscure any view.
Welp due to the block on new users I was unable to reply to any of this lol.
I absolutely will try to get some great pictures and you are of course more than welcome to steal them if you want to be a bearded tattood slightly overweight man lol
Just seen that its a sold out weekend so im imagining the atmosphere will be incredible.
I absolutely will try to get some great pictures and you are of course more than welcome to steal them if you want to be a bearded tattood slightly overweight man lol
Just seen that its a sold out weekend so im imagining the atmosphere will be incredible.
I appear to have been invited tomorrow for the qualifying by a supplier, very much looking forward to it!
I have zero idea on what to expect hospitality wise, but the agenda does include breakfast/lunch/afternoon tea so hoping we are at least at a good spot on the track! (And a few beers)
I have zero idea on what to expect hospitality wise, but the agenda does include breakfast/lunch/afternoon tea so hoping we are at least at a good spot on the track! (And a few beers)
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