A guide to watching the silverstone F1 GP?

[bassett]

Hi, Ive got myself tickets for fridays Practice and Sundays race. Ive got stand tickets and im staying about 30miles away. Can anyone recommend what time to leave and aim to get there for as ive been BTCC races at Silverstone and even they result in a huge que so i can only imagine F1 is much worse.

Getting in for practice is there any chance to try and meet drivers or will i only waste my time trying. My girlfriend is a massive Lewis fan so would love an autograph.

Any idea how the day is laid out ie support races before/after the main race?

Any other feedback on previous years id really appreciate it to get the most out of the weekend.

Thanks
Adam

Edited by bassett on Saturday 15th May 13:00

[bassett]

bump - no one been to the F1 before?

[anonymous-user]

bassett said:

Hi, Ive got myself tickets for fridays Practice and Sundays race. Ive got stand tickets and im staying about 30miles away. Can anyone recommend what time to leave and aim to get there for as ive been BTCC races at Silverstone and even they result in a huge que so i can only imagine F1 is much worse.

Getting in for practice is there any chance to try and meet drivers or will i only waste my time trying. My girlfriend is a massive Lewis fan so would love an autograph.

Any idea how the day is laid out ie support races before/after the main race?

Any other feedback on previous years id really appreciate it to get the most out of the weekend.

Thanks
Adam

Edited by bassett on Saturday 15th May 13:00

yes the queues are infamous, given you have a stand and thus a reserved seat, you dont have to fight for a piece of land on the trackside but you still want to be leaving as early as you can bear. have you booked parking? you may want to check what time they recommend you get there if so, if not, there is a park and ride service available. there is no ideal time to arrive other than to say that you just have to get up as early as you can bear...

you wont get anywhere near the drivers and you will just waste your time trying. the infield will have more security than guantanamo bay and a million other hopefuls will also be trying...

the timetable will most likely be available on the web a few weeks before the raceday. the porsche supercup will be very early on the sunday morning (0930), then there will be nothing bar some parade laps of various cars until the GP. the drivers may lap a few times waving from a car but thats your lot. after the GP, there is normally a classic or historic race, i think its usually hte BRDC historic sportscar championship, well worth watching, lotus 23s et al.

i think the friday practice has a "wandering" grandstand capability, my personal favourite is the grandstand on the infield on the pit lane/copse exit. try to find a seat there at the back and the noise is epic. friday will have GP2 practice and the support race practice too.

i would use friday to wander around the circuit, watching from different viewpoints, club corner is also a good point. stay late on friday too, soak up the atmosphere if its your first time there and try your luck on the infield, you might catch a few GP2 drivers but you will also get a chance to wander around the support race paddocks.

[stephen300o]

I usually get there before eight as traffic starts to pill up latter, obviously the latter you get there the longer it will take to get in, OK for stand seats but if you had general admission you have to get there earlier as the die hards have their towels down really early.

[MikeDH]

[quote]
the timetable will most likely be available on the web a few weeks before the raceday. the porsche supercup will be very early on the sunday morning (0930), then there will be nothing bar some parade laps of various cars until the GP. the drivers may lap a few times waving from a car but thats your lot. after the GP, there is normally a classic or historic race, i think its usually hte BRDC historic sportscar championship, well worth watching, lotus 23s et al.
[/quote]

There should be Formula BMW and GP2 as well, GP3 I should think as well. Plus the Red Arrows!

[kybo]

pablo said:

i think the friday practice has a "wandering" grandstand capability, my personal favourite is the grandstand on the infield on the pit lane/copse exit. try to find a seat there at the back and the noise is epic. friday will have GP2 practice and the support race practice too.

i would use friday to wander around the circuit, watching from different viewpoints, club corner is also a good point. stay late on friday too, soak up the atmosphere if its your first time there and try your luck on the infield, you might catch a few GP2 drivers but you will also get a chance to wander around the support race paddocks.

Sorry to the OP for asking questions, rather than answering, but I'm curious as to this infield stand. How do you access it - through the Copse tunnel? And you just need to show your grandstand ticket to get in?

I thought the paddocks were off limits all weekend - how do you gain admission to the support races, and when is it worth trying? I imagine anytime on a Sunday is a waste of time?

I would also recommend using Friday to have a really good look round - each stand offers something a little different. I was in Club a couple of years ago but am looking forward to being in Luffield this year

I got there about 6:30-7am on Friday last year and it was like a ghost town. But I was there - no hassle, no queues. It's well worth being there much earlier than a little bit late.

Have fun,

Scott