F1 test - are they worth going to?

[codieskid]

Hi all

My best mates 30th birthday is coming up so trying to find something cool to get him for his birthday. We are both big car nuts and go to a lot of shows etc but have never been to any F1 events. So I was thinking of getting us tickets to one of the F1 tests at Mugello as it seems a cheap way to see F1 cars in action.

I've never been to any F1 event so I wanted to know what the test days are like, are they pretty dull or worth a trip to see? Also what's the Mugello circuit like and if anyone has been to an event there any recommendations on places to stay etc welcome

Thanks

Trevor

[cobylu]

codieskid said:

Hi all

My best mates 30th birthday is coming up so trying to find something cool to get him for his birthday. We are both big car nuts and go to a lot of shows etc but have never been to any F1 events. So I was thinking of getting us tickets to one of the F1 tests at Mugello as it seems a cheap way to see F1 cars in action.

I've never been to any F1 event so I wanted to know what the test days are like, are they pretty dull or worth a trip to see? Also what's the Mugello circuit like and if anyone has been to an event there any recommendations on places to stay etc welcome

Thanks

Trevor

I went to the Barcelona test this time last year with my dad for the weekend and had a great time.

I have been to numerous races but the testing was completely different. It can be a relatively cheap weekend, flights were £70 out of Liverpool, hotel ibis 10 mins from circuit was about £40 a night for a twin room with a good bar and restaurant. Tickets were about 10 euros a day each so the whole weekend was cheaper than probably a grandstand seat for the 2 of us at the British GP.
We spent 3 days at the circuit and weren,t bored at all, got to go in the grandstands for free opposite the pits and could see the Mclaren in bits most of the time and the red bull like it was on rails and there was always something going on.

It was busy at the weekend when alonso was testing but loads of stalls selling merchandise and a small karting track and tours around the circuit.

No idea what mugello is like but can defiantly recommend Barcelona.

[Alfanatic]

I went to a BAR / Williams test at Kyalami many years ago. Or maybe it was just BAR. Anyway, it was cheap, the access was much better than I expect it would have been at a race - we could go into any stand we wanted, no VIP only stuff, and there was even partial access to the pitlane. There also weren't a lot of spectators so it was really easy to get right up close and experience a (then) modern F1 car at full chat.

It was well worth it, I thought, but I've never been to an F1 race so for all I know it may well be completely dull in comparison.

[kazste]

Just go to the Friday of a gp, far more action (though not all f1) and only a little more expensive.

[chevronb37]

I've not been to Mugello but it is supposed to be spectacular. It's not a million miles from Modena so you could do the supercar factory tours on the same trip. I did the Silverstone test a few years ago and it was a good way to watch F1 cars at close quarters for cheap. If you expect nothing more then you'll have an awesome time!

[Allyc85]

I obviously cant say what it will be like at Mugello, but I used to love the days out at Silverstone listening to the cars all the way around the track!

The best thing I saw was Albers (I know!) catching snap oversteer mid way through Copse corner, the way he caught it was unreal and just carried on as it was nothing

Then there was Massa spinning at the 2007 test.... lots

[Busa mav]

Mugello is a stunning circuit.

Used to go to the tyre test days days at Silverstone and they were great value. (free)

[RichB]

Busa mav said:

Used to go to the tyre test days days at Silverstone and they were great value. (free)

Yes I used to go to Silverstone for the test days when they were free.

[kybo]

Slightly OT but hope the OP won't mind...


How far in advance are the F1 testing dates usually published? And where is the best source(s) to obtain them, who's usually the first to publish them?

I'd love to go, to either Jerez or Barca, but need plenty of notice to plan for it (and hopefully to get good flight/accom deals).

I too have been to Silverstone Testing but never abroad to see it.

Scott

[codieskid]

Ok I've decided to go for it. The plan is to fly into Pisa pick up a hire car then drive to Mugello for one of the test days. Then drive to the Ferrari factory and museum in Modena and find some of these great Tuscan roads I keep hearing about to have some fun in the hire car on the way. Thinking of booking a 4 night stay so any other motoring hotspots I should visit while I am over there?

[codieskid]

Also the testing is on for 3 days will there be plenty of action on all three days or is it better to go on a specific day?

[kybo]

codieskid said:

Also the testing is on for 3 days will there be plenty of action on all three days or is it better to go on a specific day?

One thing to point out is that I don't think the Teams test both driver's on the same day. You will have to go to at least 2 days if you wanna see all the drivers. Don't know about the third day - reserved for test pilot maybe???

Have experienced that at Silverstone testing, anywayz.

Scott

[codieskid]

All booked, can't wait. Planning to tick off a few boxes on my car related bucket list such as hear an F1 car at full chat and car spotting outside the Ferrari factory in Maranello.

Should be awesome

[Y8RSP]

Glad you've gone for it mate... IMHO the tests are far better to attend as a spectator, you get 4 (or in Mugello's case 3) full days of seeing the cars, access around the circuit is much better, it's definitely not as busy and it's usually a lot more cost effective...

Have you thought of going LMS though - or any of the endurance racing?? If you want bang-per-buck, I think you'd find it really interesting