Silverstone, who's going?
Discussion
TypeRTim said:
Those pics (sorry I edited them out the quote for space) are incredible! I haven't gone through the near 3500 I took on Friday yet as I was busy all weekend!
What rig did you use out of curiosity?
Thanks! I haven't gone through all of mine yet, I just loaded a handful up to send to a few mates on an f1 group chat.What rig did you use out of curiosity?
Not using anything special, 10 year old Olympus Four Thirds DSLR (E620) and a Sigma 50-500mm lens. I'm certainly not a professional!
The Carlos one was taken from the back row of the concrete hard standing at Luffield during FP1, and the Lewis shot was from the top of the banking between Stowe and Vale in FP2.
Having been to Silverstone many times over the years, what surprised me is the amount of work they've done and how it's negatively affected viewing areas.
Most of our regular 'spots' are now 'GA Plus' which I assume is a premium ticket? Id been given some freebies, so was quite relaxed about it, but I felt for those who'd shelled out for a family only to be sat 5 camping chairs back from a 4' concrete wall and two catch fences (though the race 1 accident speaks volumes as to why they're needed).
I get the F1/Silverstone are businesses respectively, but honestly speaking had it not been for the fine weather on Sunday, a cold (if expensive) beer or two and having free entry - I would have had a much better race experience watching at home on TV!
Oh, doesn't help that modern F1 cars sound like hoovers - Vettell in Nigel Mansell's Williams 'Red 5' was glorious by comparison.
Most of our regular 'spots' are now 'GA Plus' which I assume is a premium ticket? Id been given some freebies, so was quite relaxed about it, but I felt for those who'd shelled out for a family only to be sat 5 camping chairs back from a 4' concrete wall and two catch fences (though the race 1 accident speaks volumes as to why they're needed).
I get the F1/Silverstone are businesses respectively, but honestly speaking had it not been for the fine weather on Sunday, a cold (if expensive) beer or two and having free entry - I would have had a much better race experience watching at home on TV!
Oh, doesn't help that modern F1 cars sound like hoovers - Vettell in Nigel Mansell's Williams 'Red 5' was glorious by comparison.
Stig said:
Having been to Silverstone many times over the years, what surprised me is the amount of work they've done and how it's negatively affected viewing areas.
Most of our regular 'spots' are now 'GA Plus' which I assume is a premium ticket? Id been given some freebies, so was quite relaxed about it, but I felt for those who'd shelled out for a family only to be sat 5 camping chairs back from a 4' concrete wall and two catch fences (though the race 1 accident speaks volumes as to why they're needed).
I get the F1/Silverstone are businesses respectively, but honestly speaking had it not been for the fine weather on Sunday, a cold (if expensive) beer or two and having free entry - I would have had a much better race experience watching at home on TV!
Oh, doesn't help that modern F1 cars sound like hoovers - Vettell in Nigel Mansell's Williams 'Red 5' was glorious by comparison.
I can only talk for Friday. IIRC with GA Plus you could only book a certain area similar to how you could book a specific grandstand, for example GA Plus Luffield. I stood at Luffield on the concrete area last year on a GA ticket, and wanted to go there this year as I like it for photos. I took a gamble and stuck with a standard GA ticket as the maps on the website were inconsistent, one said I'd be able to stand there, the other said no. I wasn't originally going to go as they'd really jacked up the prices over 2021 (it cost me nearly as much this year to do Friday as it did to do Saturday last year and I got a sprint race then as well), but I wanted to see the new cars.Most of our regular 'spots' are now 'GA Plus' which I assume is a premium ticket? Id been given some freebies, so was quite relaxed about it, but I felt for those who'd shelled out for a family only to be sat 5 camping chairs back from a 4' concrete wall and two catch fences (though the race 1 accident speaks volumes as to why they're needed).
I get the F1/Silverstone are businesses respectively, but honestly speaking had it not been for the fine weather on Sunday, a cold (if expensive) beer or two and having free entry - I would have had a much better race experience watching at home on TV!
Oh, doesn't help that modern F1 cars sound like hoovers - Vettell in Nigel Mansell's Williams 'Red 5' was glorious by comparison.
It turned out a GA ticket on a Friday is roving so I was all good. I don't know if that was the case Saturday, but obviously a GA Plus ticket would have been required Sunday. Personally I feel charging extra for an area (in the case of Luffield at least) where seats aren't actually provided is taking the piss, particularly when this year they built a new seated stand behind it!. It's bad enough that they don't let you infield at all on a GA. Silverstone has never been great for spectating, but for me its local, and there are a handful of okayish vantage points (that applies more to events other than F1)
Edited by WelshPetrolhead on Monday 4th July 18:38
I was bemused to be moved on when watching at Maggotts, a spot I've watched from , on and off , for decades .. A wide tarmac road (largely untrafficked ) , chest high barrier and debris fencing . But OK to watch at exit of Copse , similar terrain except barrier now waist high ... Go figure
WelshPetrolhead said:
Stig said:
Having been to Silverstone many times over the years, what surprised me is the amount of work they've done and how it's negatively affected viewing areas.
Most of our regular 'spots' are now 'GA Plus' which I assume is a premium ticket? Id been given some freebies, so was quite relaxed about it, but I felt for those who'd shelled out for a family only to be sat 5 camping chairs back from a 4' concrete wall and two catch fences (though the race 1 accident speaks volumes as to why they're needed).
I get the F1/Silverstone are businesses respectively, but honestly speaking had it not been for the fine weather on Sunday, a cold (if expensive) beer or two and having free entry - I would have had a much better race experience watching at home on TV!
Oh, doesn't help that modern F1 cars sound like hoovers - Vettell in Nigel Mansell's Williams 'Red 5' was glorious by comparison.
I can only talk for Friday. IIRC with GA Plus you could only book a certain area similar to how you could book a specific grandstand, for example GA Plus Luffield. I stood at Luffield on the concrete area last year on a GA ticket, and wanted to go there this year as I like it for photos. I took a gamble and stuck with a standard GA ticket as the maps on the website were inconsistent, one said I'd be able to stand there, the other said no. I wasn't originally going to go as they'd really jacked up the prices over 2021 (it cost me nearly as much this year to do Friday as it did to do Saturday last year and I got a sprint race then as well), but I wanted to see the new cars.Most of our regular 'spots' are now 'GA Plus' which I assume is a premium ticket? Id been given some freebies, so was quite relaxed about it, but I felt for those who'd shelled out for a family only to be sat 5 camping chairs back from a 4' concrete wall and two catch fences (though the race 1 accident speaks volumes as to why they're needed).
I get the F1/Silverstone are businesses respectively, but honestly speaking had it not been for the fine weather on Sunday, a cold (if expensive) beer or two and having free entry - I would have had a much better race experience watching at home on TV!
Oh, doesn't help that modern F1 cars sound like hoovers - Vettell in Nigel Mansell's Williams 'Red 5' was glorious by comparison.
It turned out a GA ticket on a Friday is roving so I was all good. I don't know if that was the case Saturday, but obviously a GA Plus ticket would have been required Sunday. Personally I feel charging extra for an area (in the case of Luffield at least) where seats aren't actually provided is taking the piss, particularly when this year they built a new seated stand behind it!. It's bad enough that they don't let you infield at all on a GA. Silverstone has never been great for spectating, but for me its local, and there are a handful of okayish vantage points (that applies more to events other than F1)
Edited by WelshPetrolhead on Monday 4th July 18:38
Also traffic seemed insane - we wandered into the campsite (dadford) to see the people who'd zoomed over after the race not even move till about 10pm. Was there some kind of catastrophic breakdown in the marshalling of it? Or did they just all not bother/clock off? Been a few years since we left on the Sunday as we make a weekend of it but was never that bad.
Teddy Lop said:
What was the cost difference between GA and plus? Seems a bit ryanair if I'm frank. It all seemed a bit of a cluster though - it's nice to see the place busy throughout the weekend and I understand the economic challenge that is Silverstone's hosting of the F1 so thank them for continuing to do what many throw the towel in on, but you can't have people feeling a bit short changed, especially when they've paid so much anyway. We've done the roving grandstands down to a format; Friday tour the circuit taking in the various different views, Saturday typically the pit straight for qually, race day at our favourite to see the shiz go down (Stowe). Fell apart this year as grandstands were filling on the Friday and people were queuing at the gates for seats to become available on the Saturday. Still had a great time and got to see all we wanted but they're sailing close to the wind in how they're delivering the product here, you have grandstand to guarantee your view with no stress and faff, not to turn up early and spend all day saving a seat!
Also traffic seemed insane - we wandered into the campsite (dadford) to see the people who'd zoomed over after the race not even move till about 10pm. Was there some kind of catastrophic breakdown in the marshalling of it? Or did they just all not bother/clock off? Been a few years since we left on the Sunday as we make a weekend of it but was never that bad.
I assume the road out of Dadford was totally blocked as it wasn't a slow moving queue it was not moving at all.Also traffic seemed insane - we wandered into the campsite (dadford) to see the people who'd zoomed over after the race not even move till about 10pm. Was there some kind of catastrophic breakdown in the marshalling of it? Or did they just all not bother/clock off? Been a few years since we left on the Sunday as we make a weekend of it but was never that bad.
The roving grandstand thing wasn't really working on Saturday as far as I was concerned, basically had to save seats from FP1 onwards and was lucky to be allowed back in after going to the loo.
There used to be an historic GP race after the Grand Prix on Sunday - but that stopped after the track invasions started for the podium ceremony, as they couldn’t re-secure the circuit afterwards. Now they have the concert, but it appears they still struggle to disperse such a large crowd in a timely manner.
Great weekend and polar opposite days from the Saturday with paddock access to the Sunday with GA tickets. First time we’ve done GA, it was great to chill with chairs, food and beers - nice atmosphere too, however, the view we had was awful.
We were at the front of Vale grandstand on the grass, quite high up but by god a waste of money. Only seen the cars through the gaps between people. Definitely worth forking out the extra £££ for grandstand seats for a variety of reasons.
We spoke about getting to another racetrack next year which we are going to do. I love a weekend at Silverstone but it’s getting boring now (not focused towards the regular punters these days and horrific for families with young kids). The race from what we saw was superb! Wish I’d watched from home!
We were at the front of Vale grandstand on the grass, quite high up but by god a waste of money. Only seen the cars through the gaps between people. Definitely worth forking out the extra £££ for grandstand seats for a variety of reasons.
We spoke about getting to another racetrack next year which we are going to do. I love a weekend at Silverstone but it’s getting boring now (not focused towards the regular punters these days and horrific for families with young kids). The race from what we saw was superb! Wish I’d watched from home!
PD9 said:
Great weekend and polar opposite days from the Saturday with paddock access to the Sunday with GA tickets. First time we’ve done GA, it was great to chill with chairs, food and beers - nice atmosphere too, however, the view we had was awful.
We were at the front of Vale grandstand on the grass, quite high up but by god a waste of money. Only seen the cars through the gaps between people. Definitely worth forking out the extra £££ for grandstand seats for a variety of reasons.
We were just along from there on the gravel bit between Vale and Stowe, the view was ok due to the slope and there was a big screen across and behind. On Saturday we went up to Chapel and we were at the front near the marshal post which was great (albeit pretty wet!).We were at the front of Vale grandstand on the grass, quite high up but by god a waste of money. Only seen the cars through the gaps between people. Definitely worth forking out the extra £££ for grandstand seats for a variety of reasons.
For me Friday was by far the worst day. Grandstands so busy that you couldn’t walk the circuit and grab a seat before the action as per usual (weather probably didn’t help as Becketts is covered) but traffic was worse for me in the Friday than either the Saturday or Sunday.
I’m glad it’s busy as it helps secure it, I just wish they had done a bit of a better job at the organisation side.
We even had one chap next to us on the Saturday with Club Silverstone seats who wasn’t made aware of what he had and thought his seat was a Club corner Silverstone and wasted 2 days of hospitality!
I’m glad it’s busy as it helps secure it, I just wish they had done a bit of a better job at the organisation side.
We even had one chap next to us on the Saturday with Club Silverstone seats who wasn’t made aware of what he had and thought his seat was a Club corner Silverstone and wasted 2 days of hospitality!
The issue here I would say is complain if you feel strongly these tickets and stuff mentioned have cost people a huge sum of money, and if the place cannot cope for whatever reason then you have every right to complain, it might not get you anywhere, as my feeling as with these events that most venues do the bare minimum in terms of customer satisfaction to make immense profits. But the least you can do is complain, leave a bad review somewhere. You never know they might do something to improve, but you also have to say they get nothing like this at all other that this weekend, so how can they really know and get everything right, its nearly half a million people for goodness sake, it is beyond words in my opinion, but clearly it works.
Or alternatively research other F1 venues less busy that you might get the same fix, I can guarantee you will find better places to watch any motorsport regardless but without the apparent atmosphere that is sought.
I will add that I complained numerous times to Silverstone with no reply. MSV on the other hand have replied every time, whatever the complaint and thanked me and even suggested they will make changes that I have witnessed, so it can work.
Or alternatively research other F1 venues less busy that you might get the same fix, I can guarantee you will find better places to watch any motorsport regardless but without the apparent atmosphere that is sought.
I will add that I complained numerous times to Silverstone with no reply. MSV on the other hand have replied every time, whatever the complaint and thanked me and even suggested they will make changes that I have witnessed, so it can work.
Sheetmaself said:
The problem i see, and this is what stopped me from answering the feedback email, is that if we complain too loudly i feel as though they will take away the roving grandstand option for Friday and Saturday which for me is one of the best things about the whole experience.
Yeah that thought occured to me too. I don't think roving grandstands is that common, and I guess only works if enough people place greater emphasis on the Sunday. I gather something different was being done this year? While it's nice as a fan to see full grandstands, the roving concept was broken this year, silverstone needs to be careful they're not hacking off those buying the £300 tickets for the sake of a few Bob somewhere else...!The feedback format , predictably enough gives me no opportunity to comment on what didn't work well -no email address I can find so a snail mail letter is en route . I had a great time , many improvements since I last went to GP (catering , litter, customer care ) but some quibbles - access /ticket balls up , crap website , hopeless programme and screens not used to best effect .
coppice said:
The feedback format , predictably enough gives me no opportunity to comment on what didn't work well -no email address I can find so a snail mail letter is en route . I had a great time , many improvements since I last went to GP (catering , litter, customer care ) but some quibbles - access /ticket balls up , crap website , hopeless programme and screens not used to best effect .
I thought the same - granted, I could email separately but that kind of defeats the point of a "we want your feedback" request!I had three day tickets (Luffield), had a fantastic time and loved every minute. I managed run to my car (official on-site parking) at the end of the race and got out very quickly...I think hanging on would have been a nightmare (car was at back of field which turned out to be at the furthest point from the exit).
Like a poster suggested above, sticking around on the Sunday to avoid the queues might be a good idea.
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