Trip to the Monaco Grand Prix – A question

[MitchT]

I’m thinking of going to Monaco next year for the Grand Prix. I understand that the provisional date is 29 May (though that obviously might change) and have checked accommodation in Monaco for around that time, of which there is currently plenty available at reasonable prices. However, I’m not sure how I will actually get to see the race itself. Is it simply a case of wandering round until you find a suitable vantage point or are all the places with a reasonable view closed-off so they they can only be accessed if you have a ticket? I'm not bothered about sitting in a grandstand but I do want to be reasonably close to the action.

[marshalla]

There is some spectating possible from the "hill" below the palace but, as it's a street circuit, opportunities for ad-hoc viewing are pretty much non-existent. For a half-way decent view you'll have to line Bernie's pockets and get some tickets from the ACM (Auto Club de Monaco).

Personally, I'd wait 'til 2012 and go to the Historic GP instead - many more interesting motors and far more relaxed attitude to things - easy access to the paddock on Friday for a start so you can get close to the cars and teams.

[woof]

Monaco's date is always set - so you can guarantee that it will be that weekend.
This year they didn't sell out - in fact there was a good 30% free capacity in the stands and Monaco itself was incredibly quiet for a GP weekend.
So perhaps tickets might even come down next year !

[MitchT]

Thanks for the replies – I certainly don't mind buying tickets for a trackside seat, I just wasn't sure exactly how the land lies, so to speak, as far as attenting the Monaco Grand Prix is concerned. I'll investigate getting some tickets from the ACM. I really want to go to the GP so I will be sticking with this plan, though the Historic GP sounds amazing too, so I may return for a second visit in 2012.

[BPC7]

Hi MitchT,

Can I ask where you got the provisional dates from, I am trying to plan next years holiday and my 40th Birthday bash around the British GP and I need to sort dates asap, hope you or anyone else can help please

[MitchT]

BPC7 said:

Hi MitchT,

Can I ask where you got the provisional dates from, I am trying to plan next years holiday and my 40th Birthday bash around the British GP and I need to sort dates asap, hope you or anyone else can help please

I found the Monaco date here...

http://www.monte-carlo.mc/index-monaco_grand_prix-...

I understand that the Monaco Grand Prix date is more 'fixed' than the other races, so I can't comment on the schedule for the British Grand Prix or the likelihood of it sticking to whatever date is initially announced.

[FugareF1]

Hi MitchT,

We arrange travel to the Monaco GP every year for hundreds of guests from around the world so have a wealth of experience of the different locations and options, I hope the following is of some help...

Whilst the dates for the Monaco GP usually don't change they were in fact changed late 2009 for the 2010 race, they were moved by a week. The dates are currently May 26 to May 29, 2011.

There are lots of options for accommodation in and around Monaco including hotels in Monaco itself, Nice, Cap d'Ail, Beausoleil, Menton, Cap Ferrat, etc. etc. Some of these locations are more expensive than others but NIce is very popular as it is not far from Monaco (20 mins by train over the GP weekend or 30 mins by car/minivan if you have transfers/taxi, etc.). Nice also has a great nightlife, cheaper restaurants and is buzzing around the time of the GP.

There are also lots of options and locations for watching the race too, from Sector Rocher (the hill), grandstands, restaurants, private terraces on the start/finish straight, hotel terraces and of course yachts along the circuit.

There are good viewing locations and bad, and it really depends what you're looking for and what your budget is.

Decide what your budget is and what you might want to spend it on then choose the best from what is available for that price. For example, do you want to spend it all on viewing for race day only and include some food and drinks in a good location with private facilities etc (i.e. more comfortable than a grandstand) then watch the other sessions in a bar on the TV; or do you want to spend it on a ticket for Thursday (practise), Saturday (qualifying) & Sunday (race) so you see as much as possible of the live action but sacrifice inclusive services such as drinks/hospitality, etc.

That's just one example/comparison obviously, you could do it in lots of different ways with varying levels of budget:
- Low budget, camp outside Monaco and watch the race from Rocher (although set your expectation level appropriately if you chose too watch from here and be prepared for it);
- Mid budget (3* hotel in Nice + transfers + grandstand tickets/private terrace/yacht viewing;
- High budget, or you could go to the other extreme and have a huge blow out and stay in a suite at the Hotel de Paris or onboard a yacht with absolutely everything included!

If you're buying grandstand tickets direct and arranging your own hotels and transfers etc. the best place to buy them as marshalla mentions is the Automobile Club de Monaco (www.acm.mc), this is the official website for the Monaco GP. The tickets won't go on sale for while yet however.

Hope that's of help, if I can help further or you have any other queries don't hesitate.
Kind regards
Ed