Which GP: Catalunya, Istanbul or Hungary

[mav 1]

The mrs and I are trying to plan which GP to go to this year.
The only ones available to us are Spain (Catalunya), Turkey (Istanbul) and Hungary (Budapest).

Does anyone have any experience of these circuits, and general travel to/from?
Any recommendations on where to sit at the tracks?

Cheers,
Mav

[skinny]

i don't like the barcelona track, it's boring and almost all the fans are alonso fanatics (and the guy that comes over the PA system trying to whip everyone up with the alonso chant will do your nut after about 10 seconds trust me). istanbul is a nice track, and there are some really great parts of the city too, although traffic is a nightmare.

not been to budapest but i'd definitely rather go there than barcelona.

Edited by skinny on Wednesday 25th February 18:10

[Racefan_uk]

Barcelona or Hungary. I wouldn't go to Istanbul if you paid me.

[mav 1]

Racefan_uk said:

Barcelona or Hungary. I wouldn't go to Istanbul if you paid me.

Any particular reason that you don't like Istanbul? Have you been?

[woof]

go to Monaco !

just booked my flights

[SamHH]

I went to Hungary a few years ago but it's the only GP I've been to so can't compare it to anywhere else. I didn't pay to be in a stand but managed to get a pretty good viewing position overlooking the start of the main straight; the circuit is in a natural bowl so visibility is pretty good. Unfortunately it is only possible to walk around half of the circuit though. It did feel a bit characterless but maybe that's what GP races are like in general. Was very hot if that's a consideration for you. Although I didn't stay there, Budapest seemed like a fairly nice city to visit if you feel like incorporating that too.

[gwood]

skinny said:

i don't like the barcelona track, it's boring and almost all the fans are alonso fanatics (and the guy that comes over the PA system trying to whip everyone up with the alonso chant will do your nut after about 10 seconds trust me). istanbul is a nice track, and there are some really great parts of the city too, although traffic is a nightmare.

not been to budapest but i'd definitely rather go there than barcelona.

Edited by skinny on Wednesday 25th February 18:10

i go every year to barcalona gp and its brill, i agree with the alonso bias fans being there but last year when he broke down after 10 laps they all left....

[LocoBlade]

I went to Barcelona last year and agree with the comments, there's a heavy Alonso bias and this year a heavy anti Hamilton bias, so if you plan on going in full Mclaren/Lewis regalia you might get some banter or sadly even verbal abuse. The stuff I saw was only really panto villain type stuff, big boos whenever Hamilton joined the track etc, but if booking grandstand tickets do your research first as there's one or two stands which seem to be almost purely allocated to Alonso fans where being British you probably wouldnt want to be, although that may mean they aren't available generally anyway, perhaps sold via supporters clubs etc. We were opposite the pit exit on the start finish straight and although it was predominantly Spanish, it was fine.

Assuming you're going for a few days, Barcelona as a city is a big plus too though, I dont know what the other two offer in terms of evening entertainment but I suspect they'd struggle to compare.

[sidaorb]

Mav, just sent you a email, hope that helps

[Maty]

We went to Barcelona last year and are booked to go again this year!

We had an absolutely brilliant weekend last year. We were in a grand stand just before the entrance to the pit lane so we could see them flying down the back straight then go round the whole complex leading onto the start finish. I was worried about the Alonso fans etc, especially walking round in McLaren stuff be we needn't have been worried, there were no incidents with any of the fans whatsoever. In fact there was a great party atmosphere in the grand stand we were in. We were stood with a load of Spanish supporters (Ferrari and Alonso fans), they had brought beer, wine, whisky, sandwichs, cakes, crisps, you name it they brought it and it all got passed round to everyone. Lets just say I was a little tipsy after the race and it got worse as they invited us back to a local restaurant where it all carried on!!!

As for the circuit, I would highly recommend you getting a seat in a stand. We walked round the whole track on the saturday and any patch of grass was completely filled with people, and we didnt find anywhere with what I would call a decent view of the track.

We stayed in a cheap, and I mean CHEAP hotel just of La Rambles in the Barcelona. We got a coach to the circuit, it took about 40 minutes to get there. The coach then brings you back after the race but can take ages apparently because of everyone trying to get out of the circuit at the same time.

Be prepared for ringing ears for a few days after!

[mav 1]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I'm probably leaning most towards Barcelona, but the ticket prices are huge!
Still doing some research, so will let you know....

(This will be my 5th GP, having done Silverstone, Nuerburgring, Monaco and Monza).

[hondafanatic]

mav 1 said:

Racefan_uk said:

Barcelona or Hungary. I wouldn't go to Istanbul if you paid me.

Any particular reason that you don't like Istanbul? Have you been?

errr.....yea, please expand because I've just bought two tickets and booked a hotel.

[mike360]

Yes do expand.