Monaco Grand Prix – worth bothering?
Discussion
The OH and I are thinking of going to the Monaco Grand prix next year.
Question 1:
Given how s
tty F1 cars sound these days and that part of the appeal of the Monaco GP is the sound of the engines screaming around Monte Carlo, is it still worth bothering or will I be disappointed by the noise … or lack thereof?
Question 2:
Assuming it is worth going, we’re thinking of Stand K which overlooks the circuit and harbour before the entry to the swimming pool. I’ve looked at some pics online and it appears that a ticket for Stand K will basically give you entry to the stand and it’s then up to you where to sit. Is that the case and, if so, how early on race day do you need to head into the stand to be able to get a good spot?
Question 1:
Given how s
tty F1 cars sound these days and that part of the appeal of the Monaco GP is the sound of the engines screaming around Monte Carlo, is it still worth bothering or will I be disappointed by the noise … or lack thereof?Question 2:
Assuming it is worth going, we’re thinking of Stand K which overlooks the circuit and harbour before the entry to the swimming pool. I’ve looked at some pics online and it appears that a ticket for Stand K will basically give you entry to the stand and it’s then up to you where to sit. Is that the case and, if so, how early on race day do you need to head into the stand to be able to get a good spot?
I was going to go to Monaco this year, but cancelled after hearing the cars in Barcelona. Monaco would still be cool, I think, but my feeling was that I would just feel cheated knowing I should have gone back when F1 sounded impressive. As I mentioned in another recent post, I actually witnessed people at the Circuit Catalunya LAUGHING at how crap the cars sounded, which was really depressing............
MitchT said:
The OH and I are thinking of going to the Monaco Grand prix next year.
Question 1:
Given how stty F1 cars sound these days and that part of the appeal of the Monaco GP is the sound of the engines screaming around Monte Carlo, is it still worth bothering or will I be disappointed by the noise … or lack thereof?
Question 2:
Assuming it is worth going, we’re thinking of Stand K which overlooks the circuit and harbour before the entry to the swimming pool. I’ve looked at some pics online and it appears that a ticket for Stand K will basically give you entry to the stand and it’s then up to you where to sit. Is that the case and, if so, how early on race day do you need to head into the stand to be able to get a good spot?
Well worth going. I was sceptical about the sound then went to Austin this year and when they are running in a group it does not sound so bad.Question 1:
Given how s
tty F1 cars sound these days and that part of the appeal of the Monaco GP is the sound of the engines screaming around Monte Carlo, is it still worth bothering or will I be disappointed by the noise … or lack thereof?Question 2:
Assuming it is worth going, we’re thinking of Stand K which overlooks the circuit and harbour before the entry to the swimming pool. I’ve looked at some pics online and it appears that a ticket for Stand K will basically give you entry to the stand and it’s then up to you where to sit. Is that the case and, if so, how early on race day do you need to head into the stand to be able to get a good spot?
Your ticket to a stand gets you an allocated seat so no need to turn up early. I am pretty sure I was in Stand K a few years back when I went
Ben
Oh no the old "noise" bogey again.
I was disappointed at the Jerez test at the beginning of the year (not that there was much to be heard. . . or seen , as the amount of running was pretty much nil )
Went to Barcelona, and indeed it seemed "different", but it was good to hear the commentary for once. By the time I went to Spa & Monza, I had forgotten about it entirely & just enjoyed the exciting races. . . . I am surprised anyone is even giving it a second thought anymore
at least Monaco magnifies the noise, so a bit more volume & the previous noise level was (at Monaco) a bit of a PITA anyhow with the V8 "white noise". . . V10's were another matter.
Lima Delta. . . you are joking ? right ?
or you move in different "circles" to the rest of us 
I was disappointed at the Jerez test at the beginning of the year (not that there was much to be heard. . . or seen , as the amount of running was pretty much nil )
Went to Barcelona, and indeed it seemed "different", but it was good to hear the commentary for once. By the time I went to Spa & Monza, I had forgotten about it entirely & just enjoyed the exciting races. . . . I am surprised anyone is even giving it a second thought anymore
at least Monaco magnifies the noise, so a bit more volume & the previous noise level was (at Monaco) a bit of a PITA anyhow with the V8 "white noise". . . V10's were another matter.Lima Delta. . . you are joking ? right ?
or you move in different "circles" to the rest of us Edited by the other me on Tuesday 2nd December 12:39
On the sound issue - I just want to make sure I don't feel disappointed. I've been to F1 races when the cars had proper engines so what I hear will fall below my previous experience - by how much this may be is what concerns me. We can't normally afford to do stuff like this - it's a big stretch and we're only going as it was my 40th this year and I wanted to do something really special for it, so I want to make sure it'll be worth the expense.
BigBen said:
Your ticket to a stand gets you an allocated seat so no need to turn up early. I am pretty sure I was in Stand K a few years back when I went
Ben
I just wondered as I did a Google image search for 'Monaco Grand Prix Stand K' and it turned up this image which suggests that the area is benches without designated seating positions:Ben
the other me said:
Lima Delta. . . you are joking ? right ? or you move in different "circles" to the rest of us
Actually, no. There are a lot of people who rent out their places for race day. Stick a bottle of something in a bag and bung them a few hundred EUR for the use of their balcony for race day. If you are lucky they will throw in snacks and the use of their fridge. or you move in different "circles" to the rest of us 
LimaDelta said:
the other me said:
Lima Delta. . . you are joking ? right ? or you move in different "circles" to the rest of us
Actually, no. There are a lot of people who rent out their places for race day. Stick a bottle of something in a bag and bung them a few hundred EUR for the use of their balcony for race day. If you are lucky they will throw in snacks and the use of their fridge. or you move in different "circles" to the rest of us BTW my post above may not have made it clear, go to Monaco for the Grand Prix you will love it.
Ben
LimaDelta said:
the other me said:
Lima Delta. . . you are joking ? right ? or you move in different "circles" to the rest of us
Actually, no. There are a lot of people who rent out their places for race day. Stick a bottle of something in a bag and bung them a few hundred EUR for the use of their balcony for race day. If you are lucky they will throw in snacks and the use of their fridge. or you move in different "circles" to the rest of us We got a table in 2009 right on the curb side by St Devote. Can't recall the cost but was half the price of a grandstand ticket.
There is nothing quite like Monaco.
We went earlier this year for the first time. Absolutely loved it - especially the atmosphere around the event. Sunday night was great and so many bars were more accessible than I thought they would be.
Engine noise not an issue for me. I like the fact you can hear the tyres squealing and actually talk to the person next to you!
Grandstand seats are definitely allocated even though you are often sat on a long bench.
We kept the cost reasonable by staying out of town and getting the train in to monaco.
Just do it!
Engine noise not an issue for me. I like the fact you can hear the tyres squealing and actually talk to the person next to you!
Grandstand seats are definitely allocated even though you are often sat on a long bench.
We kept the cost reasonable by staying out of town and getting the train in to monaco.
Just do it!
Edited by ps01 on Tuesday 2nd December 18:23
Just a thought, why not try the Historic Monaco GP that is run on alternate years. You get
Cheap entry: €35
Sit where ever you like
Cars from all decades - Very noisy
Very competitive racing - (The cars do run flat out)
Grandstands were about 15% occupied
Take your pick of the restaurants for lunch with no mark up
Absolutely magnificent days out.
Cheap entry: €35
Sit where ever you like
Cars from all decades - Very noisy
Very competitive racing - (The cars do run flat out)
Grandstands were about 15% occupied
Take your pick of the restaurants for lunch with no mark up
Absolutely magnificent days out.
gf15 said:
Just a thought, why not try the Historic Monaco GP that is run on alternate years. You get
Cheap entry: €35
Sit where ever you like
Cars from all decades - Very noisy
Very competitive racing - (The cars do run flat out)
Grandstands were about 15% occupied
Take your pick of the restaurants for lunch with no mark up
Absolutely magnificent days out.
When you did tis did you stay in Monaco or travel in for the day?Cheap entry: €35
Sit where ever you like
Cars from all decades - Very noisy
Very competitive racing - (The cars do run flat out)
Grandstands were about 15% occupied
Take your pick of the restaurants for lunch with no mark up
Absolutely magnificent days out.
I would second the Historic Monaco; went this year and it is as the previous post said...F1 cars from every decade, even from before 1950's, and the highlight for me were the 1970's cars, which sounded awesome around the streets. Stand K is quite a good place to watch from as you can get a decent view of the cars and the harbour. It was my first time in Monaco and it gives you a 'taste' of the 'real thing' without the ridiculous prices of the main FI week which is a few weeks after the Historic. If you stay out of the 'city' it is more peaceful, and cheaper, and the train journey in and out is impressive. It is a pity it is only held every 2 years though !
MitchT said:
The OH and I are thinking of going to the Monaco Grand prix next year.
Question 1:
Given how stty F1 cars sound these days and that part of the appeal of the Monaco GP is the sound of the engines screaming around Monte Carlo, is it still worth bothering or will I be disappointed by the noise … or lack thereof?
Question 2:
Assuming it is worth going, we’re thinking of Stand K which overlooks the circuit and harbour before the entry to the swimming pool. I’ve looked at some pics online and it appears that a ticket for Stand K will basically give you entry to the stand and it’s then up to you where to sit. Is that the case and, if so, how early on race day do you need to head into the stand to be able to get a good spot?
Has your other half ever been to a Grand Prix? If not, then this is THE best place to go for a brilliant weekend. I'd worry less about the noisier, which we all know is not what it used to be, but you'll still get the amplifier effect at Monaco, if your amongst the tall buildings.Question 1:
Given how s
tty F1 cars sound these days and that part of the appeal of the Monaco GP is the sound of the engines screaming around Monte Carlo, is it still worth bothering or will I be disappointed by the noise … or lack thereof?Question 2:
Assuming it is worth going, we’re thinking of Stand K which overlooks the circuit and harbour before the entry to the swimming pool. I’ve looked at some pics online and it appears that a ticket for Stand K will basically give you entry to the stand and it’s then up to you where to sit. Is that the case and, if so, how early on race day do you need to head into the stand to be able to get a good spot?
How long will you be staying for? And where will you stay? This materially affects your experience for the weekend. I too am bringing my other half for the weekend, so will be pushing the boat out so that she has a great time, which means that we can go to more GPs going forward!
Enjoy!
A
I went a few years ago and did it on the cheap. Coach to Nice from London Victoria, Hotel in Nice, Coach transfer to the circuit for both qualifying and the race. It was one of the few F1 circuits I had left to visit
We had access to Quai Kennedy which was basically on a hill side overlooking the harbour and swimming pool area. Spent several hours squashed up against some railing (luckily at the front) but it was about 10 people deep and by late morning you could not move on race day and people were urinating from the trees and around us. Plus side was seeing Naomi Campbell on one of the yachts.
Saturday was better, access all around the circuit, took in some great views and actions including an accident that happened about 5 feet away from us whilst we sat and had a beer.
Highlights of that week included helping the French Fire brigade lift a yellow Diablo a foot onto the pavement outside our hotel so they could drive their Fire truck through and seeing what must have been an early prototype Zonda. We walked around the circuit afterwards and I picked up loads of marbles from the tyres, still got the bag of black rubber in the loft.
In short do it, but dont try to do it cheaply as the whole race day experience can be ruined
We had access to Quai Kennedy which was basically on a hill side overlooking the harbour and swimming pool area. Spent several hours squashed up against some railing (luckily at the front) but it was about 10 people deep and by late morning you could not move on race day and people were urinating from the trees and around us. Plus side was seeing Naomi Campbell on one of the yachts.
Saturday was better, access all around the circuit, took in some great views and actions including an accident that happened about 5 feet away from us whilst we sat and had a beer.
Highlights of that week included helping the French Fire brigade lift a yellow Diablo a foot onto the pavement outside our hotel so they could drive their Fire truck through and seeing what must have been an early prototype Zonda. We walked around the circuit afterwards and I picked up loads of marbles from the tyres, still got the bag of black rubber in the loft.
In short do it, but dont try to do it cheaply as the whole race day experience can be ruined
Edited by oldaudi on Monday 29th December 13:22
paulguitar said:
I was going to go to Monaco this year, but cancelled after hearing the cars in Barcelona. Monaco would still be cool, I think, but my feeling was that I would just feel cheated knowing I should have gone back when F1 sounded impressive. As I mentioned in another recent post, I actually witnessed people at the Circuit Catalunya LAUGHING at how crap the cars sounded, which was really depressing............
This is the same for me.Was always a bit of a dream for me to go to the Monaco GP, but as long as they have these engines, i won't bother.
If I am spending that sort of cash, I want the full on experience and now I just know i will be dissapointed that I never went with the old engines...
gf15 said:
Just a thought, why not try the Historic Monaco GP that is run on alternate years. You get
Cheap entry: €35
Sit where ever you like
Cars from all decades - Very noisy
Very competitive racing - (The cars do run flat out)
Grandstands were about 15% occupied
Take your pick of the restaurants for lunch with no mark up
Absolutely magnificent days out.
HiCheap entry: €35
Sit where ever you like
Cars from all decades - Very noisy
Very competitive racing - (The cars do run flat out)
Grandstands were about 15% occupied
Take your pick of the restaurants for lunch with no mark up
Absolutely magnificent days out.
I am looking to go in 2016 - any suggestions for staying nearby would be gratefully appreciated!
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