Went to the French Grand Prix and enjoyed it...shock!
Discussion
Evening.
Sat with a more than acceptable bottle of Lidl red wine in La Seyne du Mer looking over the Med having had a really good day. I shall get some pictures up at some point but as ever the coverage of an F1 race and actually being there seem worlds apart based on forum opinion hence guessed my words might be of some use if anyone was considering the race in 2020.
Traffic was fine this year with a one way system and shuttle buses in place. Clearly helped that the venue was only 70 percent full but I was impressed with the organisation laid on. On both days my journey took me 10 minutes more than the usual duration.
The setting in itself is really stunning. Right up in the mountains overlooking the sea which can be seen from some corners. You really feel like you are in the South of France a stone's throw from Monaco. Well, 90 minutes along the coastal road.
Parking seemed to involve a 20 minute walk to the circuit for most and was in fields. Would be a quagmire if it rained but that seems very unlikely of course.
Upon first viewing it is an impressive circuit. Big in scale but not so difficult to get around as it is narrow in the middle. Rocky under foot though, a bit like Suzuka so bring good footwear.
The circuit is lacking in jeopardy for sure. The scale of the run off areas is quite staggering in places, but there appear to be many overtaking opportunities. Certainly more than you might think based on an F1 race. The Clios and F3 cars were passing through the long sweeping corners on both days.
With General Admission you can get close to the action and thanks to the mid afternoon start time and unwillingness of the French to go to an event at 8am (quite rightly) there were still plenty of areas to get a view from even at race time. I was in chicane grandstand but if I were to go again I would GA it.
Toilets were plentiful and regularly cleaned. Food choices were more than fine. The local government had built a mini town square with restaurants and bars all of which were serving excellent food.
There's an airport next door with fancy jets and helicopters landing all day. No idea who left by private jet at the end with two Mirage fighters taking off alongside then peeling away but it was very impressive.
Renault had a display of rust-free classic cars which was good enough and the now usual fan zone was there...lost on me but better than nothing. LOTS of esports so if that's your thing you are more than catered for.
Before the race there were some stunt planes, a man floated around the sky on a tea tray waving a trophy threateningly at us, and they played some dance music. After the race Martin Solveig tried to gee up about 8000 tired people...everyone was seemingly having fun but few were really dancing. Nice try though and it beat wandering off to the car park to sit in traffic for 3 hours.
As for the race I clearly felt more exhilaration at seeing the cars and drivers than many did at home. I didn't register whether it had or had not been processional as I saw plenty of overtaking and before I knew it the race was over. The joys of getting out and seeing live sport.
They open up the circuit afterwards which I always appreciate. Any signs not bolted down got nicked by the masses.
Would make a great week long roadtrip with Le Mans just 7 days beforehand but take the sunscreen...I swear they use a different Sun to the one we have to make do with back in foggy London.
So yeah, go if you fancy it. You may actually enjoy it. A bientot.
Sat with a more than acceptable bottle of Lidl red wine in La Seyne du Mer looking over the Med having had a really good day. I shall get some pictures up at some point but as ever the coverage of an F1 race and actually being there seem worlds apart based on forum opinion hence guessed my words might be of some use if anyone was considering the race in 2020.
Traffic was fine this year with a one way system and shuttle buses in place. Clearly helped that the venue was only 70 percent full but I was impressed with the organisation laid on. On both days my journey took me 10 minutes more than the usual duration.
The setting in itself is really stunning. Right up in the mountains overlooking the sea which can be seen from some corners. You really feel like you are in the South of France a stone's throw from Monaco. Well, 90 minutes along the coastal road.
Parking seemed to involve a 20 minute walk to the circuit for most and was in fields. Would be a quagmire if it rained but that seems very unlikely of course.
Upon first viewing it is an impressive circuit. Big in scale but not so difficult to get around as it is narrow in the middle. Rocky under foot though, a bit like Suzuka so bring good footwear.
The circuit is lacking in jeopardy for sure. The scale of the run off areas is quite staggering in places, but there appear to be many overtaking opportunities. Certainly more than you might think based on an F1 race. The Clios and F3 cars were passing through the long sweeping corners on both days.
With General Admission you can get close to the action and thanks to the mid afternoon start time and unwillingness of the French to go to an event at 8am (quite rightly) there were still plenty of areas to get a view from even at race time. I was in chicane grandstand but if I were to go again I would GA it.
Toilets were plentiful and regularly cleaned. Food choices were more than fine. The local government had built a mini town square with restaurants and bars all of which were serving excellent food.
There's an airport next door with fancy jets and helicopters landing all day. No idea who left by private jet at the end with two Mirage fighters taking off alongside then peeling away but it was very impressive.
Renault had a display of rust-free classic cars which was good enough and the now usual fan zone was there...lost on me but better than nothing. LOTS of esports so if that's your thing you are more than catered for.
Before the race there were some stunt planes, a man floated around the sky on a tea tray waving a trophy threateningly at us, and they played some dance music. After the race Martin Solveig tried to gee up about 8000 tired people...everyone was seemingly having fun but few were really dancing. Nice try though and it beat wandering off to the car park to sit in traffic for 3 hours.
As for the race I clearly felt more exhilaration at seeing the cars and drivers than many did at home. I didn't register whether it had or had not been processional as I saw plenty of overtaking and before I knew it the race was over. The joys of getting out and seeing live sport.
They open up the circuit afterwards which I always appreciate. Any signs not bolted down got nicked by the masses.
Would make a great week long roadtrip with Le Mans just 7 days beforehand but take the sunscreen...I swear they use a different Sun to the one we have to make do with back in foggy London.
So yeah, go if you fancy it. You may actually enjoy it. A bientot.
The setting is lovely; and it sounds like the organisation has evolved. I do hate people that just come on to moan about a race, but that race was a bore fest on TV, at least. I’m sure the atmosphere was better there, but it looked like some grandstands were only half full...
Let’s put it like this; it’s nothing like the atmosphere and vibe that Silverstone has. You can bet that the track grandstands will be absolutely jam packed with mugs willing to pay the extortionate ticket prices. I’m one of them.
Let’s put it like this; it’s nothing like the atmosphere and vibe that Silverstone has. You can bet that the track grandstands will be absolutely jam packed with mugs willing to pay the extortionate ticket prices. I’m one of them.
Gary29 said:
Get the photos up asap.
A few images from my phone. I will have some of the actual race up tomorrow. Here's a quiz: Anyone know what the silver car is without resorting to checking the MOT history? The rear lights looked very similar to a TVR and the interior was almost identical.
Deesee said:
Great write up,
The Eurostar is circa 5 hours for me to AIX/Marseille, it’s a trip I should make for the weekend.
I’m glad the traffic has been sorted out, sounds like you had a great time!
That is exactly how I traveled there and cannot recommend the journey enough regardless of whether there is a race on or not. Was a lovely journey, only downside being I could not drink too much fizz on the train as I was renting a car upon arrival. Some lovely countryside hurtling past the train on the way down especially south of Lyon. 79 each way which seemed great value.The Eurostar is circa 5 hours for me to AIX/Marseille, it’s a trip I should make for the weekend.
I’m glad the traffic has been sorted out, sounds like you had a great time!
Edited by paulyv on Tuesday 25th June 19:33
paulyv said:
Here's a quiz: Anyone know what the silver car is without resorting to checking the MOT history? The rear lights looked very similar to a TVR and the interior was almost identical.
I went for the cheat option ,won't post the result but never heard of one of those.I thought it was a modded Chrysler thingy.
Pericoloso said:
paulyv said:
Here's a quiz: Anyone know what the silver car is without resorting to checking the MOT history? The rear lights looked very similar to a TVR and the interior was almost identical.
I went for the cheat option ,won't post the result but never heard of one of those.I thought it was a modded Chrysler thingy.
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