British GP - better live or on TV?
Discussion
I am a lifelong armchair F1 fan who has never actually attended the British Grand Prix. Tickets are still available, but at £145 for general admission and £230 for the cheapest grandstand seat, they are unbelievably expensive.
Is it worth it?
What do fans who have attended the race think? How well can you follow the action at the circuit? Do spectators actually know what's going on in terms of strategy, or do you just see a noisy blur of racing cars going round and round very fast?
Many sports are better watched live, Football and Rugby being obvious examples. Others, such as Golf, are probably better on TV. Which category does F1 fall into?
I would be grateful for all informed views.
Is it worth it?
What do fans who have attended the race think? How well can you follow the action at the circuit? Do spectators actually know what's going on in terms of strategy, or do you just see a noisy blur of racing cars going round and round very fast?
Many sports are better watched live, Football and Rugby being obvious examples. Others, such as Golf, are probably better on TV. Which category does F1 fall into?
I would be grateful for all informed views.
It depends what you mean by 'better'. You certainly see more of the race and get much more information about it on TV, especially if you have Sky Sport as well. However, the atmosphere is what does it at Silverstone.
The crowd is so knowledgeable. I used to think (like those I worked with and my friends) that I was an F1 nerd yet a Saturday practice while standing at Club proved me totally and utterly wrong.
Race day can be a bit of a pain without a grandstand seat, having to get there early (the nerds get there before 1 am, or at least there was a mob at the gate when I got there at that time. You might end up just seeing a few feet of the track.
The airshow is superb: absolutely brilliant.
When money was tight for me I went on the Saturday and then watched the race on TV. Not a bad way of doing it. Much of the atmosphere, and all of the race.
It's a bit late now but it can be handy to train your bladder to contain a whole day's urine. The toilets, after about midday, are a bit of an effort.
One year, when I camped out over the weekend and took a toilet tent and a portapotti. I returned to my tent on the Saturday to find a queue outside the toilet. That shows what the toilets, and the hedges by then, were like.
I know no F1 fan who was not overwhelmed by their first GP. I know I was. I can still remember the excitement of the day and that was 1966.
The crowd is so knowledgeable. I used to think (like those I worked with and my friends) that I was an F1 nerd yet a Saturday practice while standing at Club proved me totally and utterly wrong.
Race day can be a bit of a pain without a grandstand seat, having to get there early (the nerds get there before 1 am, or at least there was a mob at the gate when I got there at that time. You might end up just seeing a few feet of the track.
The airshow is superb: absolutely brilliant.
When money was tight for me I went on the Saturday and then watched the race on TV. Not a bad way of doing it. Much of the atmosphere, and all of the race.
It's a bit late now but it can be handy to train your bladder to contain a whole day's urine. The toilets, after about midday, are a bit of an effort.
One year, when I camped out over the weekend and took a toilet tent and a portapotti. I returned to my tent on the Saturday to find a queue outside the toilet. That shows what the toilets, and the hedges by then, were like.
I know no F1 fan who was not overwhelmed by their first GP. I know I was. I can still remember the excitement of the day and that was 1966.
Im off to Silverstone this month for the first time. I cant wait. It may sound daft but im not even an F1 fan, I just want to experience the atmosphere and the noise of the cars. Im also assuming that its impossible to appreciate how fast the cars accellerate until you see them in the flesh.
So what time does the airshow start, is it just before the race? Will I be able to see it whilst sat in a covered grandstand?
Are there any other such events to watch?
So what time does the airshow start, is it just before the race? Will I be able to see it whilst sat in a covered grandstand?
Are there any other such events to watch?
Edited by LeadFarmer on Friday 14th June 23:02
Edited by LeadFarmer on Friday 14th June 23:02
Just do it, if only this once, and bugger the cost. Going to a Grand Prix - and especially the British - is something which, as a Formula One fan, you've just got to experience.
In terms of following the procedure of an event, F1 has got to be seen on television. But, as others have said, when you actually attend the race as a spectator, you're mainly going in order to savour the amazing atmosphere and the incredible enthusiasm and knowledge of the crowd. It really doesn't matter if you're not keeping up with stategy and all that: you won't be able to detect that they're running tyre-preservation tactics, which, as we all know, has the effect of reducing the excitement when you're following it on the telly - you can pick all of that up when you get back home and watch it all over again, in detail, from your recording of the TV presentation.
The perception is indeed one of very noisy cars going very, very quickly,
In terms of following the procedure of an event, F1 has got to be seen on television. But, as others have said, when you actually attend the race as a spectator, you're mainly going in order to savour the amazing atmosphere and the incredible enthusiasm and knowledge of the crowd. It really doesn't matter if you're not keeping up with stategy and all that: you won't be able to detect that they're running tyre-preservation tactics, which, as we all know, has the effect of reducing the excitement when you're following it on the telly - you can pick all of that up when you get back home and watch it all over again, in detail, from your recording of the TV presentation.
The perception is indeed one of very noisy cars going very, very quickly,
LeadFarmer said:
Im also assuming that its impossible to appreciate how fast the cars accellerate until you see them in the flesh.
You're dead right, LF. The noise is something else: it just isn't captured at all on TV. I'd have a pair of earplugs handy for when it starts getting a little uncomfortable on the eardrums. And the acceleration and speed are unbelievable. Would you rather watch Masterchef or have a meal at Manoir Au Quatre Saisons?Assuming you prefer the real thing to a 2D image on a screen with crap sound in your front room it is a nobrainer. If you have never seen aGP car- let alone heard one- you really haven't lived. Just get there OK ?
I have been to the British Frand Prix in the 80s and 90s about six or seven times and a couple of times since.
The last time I went was the last year with the old pits and had a seat opposite the pit enterance and agree that the cars sound fantastic and very fast but if you compare a Red Bull and a Caterham they seam to be going the same speed.What I found staggering was the braking of these cars as they were entering the pits at say 150 mph and in what seamed to be a very short distance were down to pitlane speed limits.
The last few years I have been to some European Grand Prix instead of the British Grand Prix as I can go with a travel company,spend three nights in a hotel.pretty much guaranteed nice weather and all cheaper that attending the British Grand Prix for two days and one night in a hotel.
The last time I went was the last year with the old pits and had a seat opposite the pit enterance and agree that the cars sound fantastic and very fast but if you compare a Red Bull and a Caterham they seam to be going the same speed.What I found staggering was the braking of these cars as they were entering the pits at say 150 mph and in what seamed to be a very short distance were down to pitlane speed limits.
The last few years I have been to some European Grand Prix instead of the British Grand Prix as I can go with a travel company,spend three nights in a hotel.pretty much guaranteed nice weather and all cheaper that attending the British Grand Prix for two days and one night in a hotel.
I'd make your way to a practice session first so you can get to see, hear and feel the cars so you know what you're missing.
Then imagine that if you would like to see the actual race you would've taken you an extra hour to get from the motorway into the car park to your spectating point. Then when you want lunch to be charged the same price as a meal at the Ritz but to only receive a flaccid hamburger. Then when you want to go home it's going to take another 2 hours minimum (if you're lucky) just to get out of the car park, never mind to the motorway. Silverstone traffic management has to be seen to be believed.
That said, atmosphere on raceday will go a long way to erasing all that pain, it's down to you how much it will erase though!
Then imagine that if you would like to see the actual race you would've taken you an extra hour to get from the motorway into the car park to your spectating point. Then when you want lunch to be charged the same price as a meal at the Ritz but to only receive a flaccid hamburger. Then when you want to go home it's going to take another 2 hours minimum (if you're lucky) just to get out of the car park, never mind to the motorway. Silverstone traffic management has to be seen to be believed.
That said, atmosphere on raceday will go a long way to erasing all that pain, it's down to you how much it will erase though!
I wanted to hear, feel, see the cars, without the hefty costs, so got Friday tickets.
Plus as people have said you cant see much of the race, and the atmosphere didn't really worry me, I'm going for the cars not the people or the social side.
Rather spend the cash saved on the good wood revival this year and watch a more comprehensive F1 race on the tv.
Next year will try and go to Monza or Spa for the race.
Plus as people have said you cant see much of the race, and the atmosphere didn't really worry me, I'm going for the cars not the people or the social side.
Rather spend the cash saved on the good wood revival this year and watch a more comprehensive F1 race on the tv.
Next year will try and go to Monza or Spa for the race.
marshal_alan said:
marshalling it for the 1st time this year on club outside, looks like quite a good viewpoint. looking at the spectator prices it looks to be worth the cost of a share of diesel, food and cider to go there
Best is half way up the main straight Alan...there's an extraction point right on the start/finish line..try to get there...having said that, here you are you'll be able to see the podium.One point that may not have been made...on TV, you can't easily keep an eye on who's moving through the field. At the GP it's easy to spot that. I recall one year when Massa was making up serious ground...not seen on TV but obvious to those of us at the circuit.
Fantuzzi said:
I wanted to hear, feel, see the cars, without the hefty costs, so got Friday tickets.
Plus as people have said you cant see much of the race, and the atmosphere didn't really worry me, I'm going for the cars not the people or the social side.
Rather spend the cash saved on the good wood revival this year and watch a more comprehensive F1 race on the tv.
Next year will try and go to Monza or Spa for the race.
I am giving Silverstone a miss next year and doing the same. Have been going for years but after totting up how much it has cost me this year for tickets, hotel and other expenses its just too much compared to going to a european race. Plus as people have said you cant see much of the race, and the atmosphere didn't really worry me, I'm going for the cars not the people or the social side.
Rather spend the cash saved on the good wood revival this year and watch a more comprehensive F1 race on the tv.
Next year will try and go to Monza or Spa for the race.
I must admit went too the festival of speed a few years ago for the weekend and enjoyed it more than Silverstone. Its
just such a long drive to get too and has also become very expensive.
Friday is a great day to see an F1 car and is a must experience. The sound and seeing how quickly they corner and brake is amazing. Not looking forward to the sound of the new engines. Oh for the V10 years.
Edited by Daz68 on Saturday 15th June 17:29
Edited by Daz68 on Saturday 15th June 17:29
Daz68 said:
Fantuzzi said:
I wanted to hear, feel, see the cars, without the hefty costs, so got Friday tickets.
Plus as people have said you cant see much of the race, and the atmosphere didn't really worry me, I'm going for the cars not the people or the social side.
Rather spend the cash saved on the good wood revival this year and watch a more comprehensive F1 race on the tv.
Next year will try and go to Monza or Spa for the race.
I am giving Silverstone a miss next year and doing the same. Have been going for years but after totting up how much it has cost me this year for tickets, hotel and other expenses its just too much compared to going to a european race. Plus as people have said you cant see much of the race, and the atmosphere didn't really worry me, I'm going for the cars not the people or the social side.
Rather spend the cash saved on the good wood revival this year and watch a more comprehensive F1 race on the tv.
Next year will try and go to Monza or Spa for the race.
I must admit went too the festival of speed a few years ago for the weekend and enjoyed it more than Silverstone. Its
just such a long drive to get too and has also become very expensive.
Friday is a great day to see an F1 car and is a must experience. The sound and seeing how quickly they corner and brake is amazing. Not looking forward to the sound of the new engines. Oh for the V10 years.
Edited by Daz68 on Saturday 15th June 17:29
Edited by Daz68 on Saturday 15th June 17:29
Why no love for the V12 era..
Is it worth it?
Yes, it's not just one F1 race, it's a three day event, if you make the effort to take in as much if what is on offer you won't regret it.
Radio Silverstone gives a good commentary during the weekend, some people fork out for Kangeroo tv which I believe is very good although I've never tried it myself.
Try to get yourself to the entrance to the Becketts complex at practice to appreciate the speed and cornering ability of the F1 cars close up.
Yes, it's not just one F1 race, it's a three day event, if you make the effort to take in as much if what is on offer you won't regret it.
Radio Silverstone gives a good commentary during the weekend, some people fork out for Kangeroo tv which I believe is very good although I've never tried it myself.
Try to get yourself to the entrance to the Becketts complex at practice to appreciate the speed and cornering ability of the F1 cars close up.
Went in 2009. Friday is cool with not so many people and you could squeeze in easily next to the fence for some pics. The grandstand ticket was OK but in reality you don't get too see much and following the race without a radio is hard.
It's worth it for the experience of doing it but new Silverstone doesn't really have that many non-grandstand spots where people can just stand. For the F1 I reckon it might be stricter than other events like the WEC.
It's worth it for the experience of doing it once. But these days for big events I'd rather do LeMans or N24. And nicer drives potentially and can fit a bigger holiday.
It's worth it for the experience of doing it but new Silverstone doesn't really have that many non-grandstand spots where people can just stand. For the F1 I reckon it might be stricter than other events like the WEC.
It's worth it for the experience of doing it once. But these days for big events I'd rather do LeMans or N24. And nicer drives potentially and can fit a bigger holiday.
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