First time to an F1 race (British GP)
Discussion
Evening folks.
Despite being an F1 fan for over 30 years I've never actually seen a race live. However that's all about to change as my boss has kindly given me full weekend tickets to this years British GP.
My tickets are full BRDC clubhouse grandstand & Farm curve entry and I've also been given infield parking. I'll be taking my 10 year old daughter who's into karting and all things cars! I've not been to Silverstone in 20 odd years so I'm not sure where's good to go, any places or things to look out for.
Thank you in advance
Despite being an F1 fan for over 30 years I've never actually seen a race live. However that's all about to change as my boss has kindly given me full weekend tickets to this years British GP.
My tickets are full BRDC clubhouse grandstand & Farm curve entry and I've also been given infield parking. I'll be taking my 10 year old daughter who's into karting and all things cars! I've not been to Silverstone in 20 odd years so I'm not sure where's good to go, any places or things to look out for.
Thank you in advance
Siao said:
QuattroDave said:
Evening folks.
Despite being an F1 fan for over 30 years I've never actually seen a race live. However that's all about to change as my boss has kindly given me full weekend tickets to this years British GP.
My tickets are full BRDC clubhouse grandstand & Farm curve entry and I've also been given infield parking. I'll be taking my 10 year old daughter who's into karting and all things cars! I've not been to Silverstone in 20 odd years so I'm not sure where's good to go, any places or things to look out for.
Thank you in advance
Nice, I'm attending Hungary for the first time (also first race I'm attending!), so I can relate!!! If anyone has been there before, I'd also appreciate some hints.Despite being an F1 fan for over 30 years I've never actually seen a race live. However that's all about to change as my boss has kindly given me full weekend tickets to this years British GP.
My tickets are full BRDC clubhouse grandstand & Farm curve entry and I've also been given infield parking. I'll be taking my 10 year old daughter who's into karting and all things cars! I've not been to Silverstone in 20 odd years so I'm not sure where's good to go, any places or things to look out for.
Thank you in advance
We can exchange notes afterwards Dave!
TypeRTim said:
For Hungary, if you are staying in central Budapest - get a taxi to the circuit. We went in 2015 and were told to use public transport as the taxis were 'expensive', worst decision ever. The metro system (red line) would take you as far as a 'proper' train station where you got a train so far, until you had to get on a coach. Oh, and only the metro had a/c! The coach didn't take us to the main gates either, so it was a walk and a half to get the rest of the way... in 35 degree heat. We got a taxi back to our hotel in district 8 and it was quick and for us, dead cheap.
The circuit is in a natural bowl, so as you walk around, you can get a good view from pretty much anywhere if you have a GA pass. Take your own water and lots of it. Also, most of the grandstands are open air so bare that in mind (we were at T4/5 grandstand) for weather protection, both good and bad.
For Silverstone, as you are driving yourself, leave plenty of time as traffic on the A43 can get bad, especially if you come in from the M1/Northampton direction. Also the main road in to the circuit once you are off the A43 will get gridlocked very quickly. The infield parking, you have to go all the way down the main entry road before you get to the main circuit entrance, so be prepared for queues. There are plenty of support races on this year, F2, F3, W Series, Porsche Supercup and historics - plus there is normally a concert laid on once the track action dies down for the evening.
There are plenty of concession stands dotted around, but be prepared to take out a second mortgage!
Thanks Tim,The circuit is in a natural bowl, so as you walk around, you can get a good view from pretty much anywhere if you have a GA pass. Take your own water and lots of it. Also, most of the grandstands are open air so bare that in mind (we were at T4/5 grandstand) for weather protection, both good and bad.
For Silverstone, as you are driving yourself, leave plenty of time as traffic on the A43 can get bad, especially if you come in from the M1/Northampton direction. Also the main road in to the circuit once you are off the A43 will get gridlocked very quickly. The infield parking, you have to go all the way down the main entry road before you get to the main circuit entrance, so be prepared for queues. There are plenty of support races on this year, F2, F3, W Series, Porsche Supercup and historics - plus there is normally a concert laid on once the track action dies down for the evening.
There are plenty of concession stands dotted around, but be prepared to take out a second mortgage!
So far I've got to take:
Toilet Paper;
Water;
Suncream &
Sack full of cash!
What time in the morning should I be aiming to get to the track? Pretty sure my boss is taking a helicopter into the site, shame I don't have that option!!
parabolica said:
QuattroDave said:
What time in the morning should I be aiming to get to the track? Pretty sure my boss is taking a helicopter into the site, shame I don't have that option!!
Whoever booked you tickets should also get an itinerary for each day to tell you what is one and when it starts; Silverstone is one of those races where there are tons of on-track action aside from the usual F1 sessions. I went in 2012 and we got to the track around 8.30ish each morning and the place was already mobbed. But you have infield parking and there is plenty of time so you can take it easy, just make sure you're there maybe 1 hour before an event you definitely want to see. 
TypeRTim said:
QuattroDave said:
TypeRTim said:
For Hungary, if you are staying in central Budapest - get a taxi to the circuit. We went in 2015 and were told to use public transport as the taxis were 'expensive', worst decision ever. The metro system (red line) would take you as far as a 'proper' train station where you got a train so far, until you had to get on a coach. Oh, and only the metro had a/c! The coach didn't take us to the main gates either, so it was a walk and a half to get the rest of the way... in 35 degree heat. We got a taxi back to our hotel in district 8 and it was quick and for us, dead cheap.
The circuit is in a natural bowl, so as you walk around, you can get a good view from pretty much anywhere if you have a GA pass. Take your own water and lots of it. Also, most of the grandstands are open air so bare that in mind (we were at T4/5 grandstand) for weather protection, both good and bad.
For Silverstone, as you are driving yourself, leave plenty of time as traffic on the A43 can get bad, especially if you come in from the M1/Northampton direction. Also the main road in to the circuit once you are off the A43 will get gridlocked very quickly. The infield parking, you have to go all the way down the main entry road before you get to the main circuit entrance, so be prepared for queues. There are plenty of support races on this year, F2, F3, W Series, Porsche Supercup and historics - plus there is normally a concert laid on once the track action dies down for the evening.
There are plenty of concession stands dotted around, but be prepared to take out a second mortgage!
Thanks Tim,The circuit is in a natural bowl, so as you walk around, you can get a good view from pretty much anywhere if you have a GA pass. Take your own water and lots of it. Also, most of the grandstands are open air so bare that in mind (we were at T4/5 grandstand) for weather protection, both good and bad.
For Silverstone, as you are driving yourself, leave plenty of time as traffic on the A43 can get bad, especially if you come in from the M1/Northampton direction. Also the main road in to the circuit once you are off the A43 will get gridlocked very quickly. The infield parking, you have to go all the way down the main entry road before you get to the main circuit entrance, so be prepared for queues. There are plenty of support races on this year, F2, F3, W Series, Porsche Supercup and historics - plus there is normally a concert laid on once the track action dies down for the evening.
There are plenty of concession stands dotted around, but be prepared to take out a second mortgage!
So far I've got to take:
Toilet Paper;
Water;
Suncream &
Sack full of cash!
What time in the morning should I be aiming to get to the track? Pretty sure my boss is taking a helicopter into the site, shame I don't have that option!!
Are you staying locally?
Sir Bagalot said:
QuattroDave said:
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.
I've been told my car will be pretty close by so I'll keep my toilet roll in there
We plan to be there all day Saturday and Sunday so was wondering if there are other non-track related things I can entertain my daughter with?
Also go on Friday. A lot less people about and you can move quicker. You'll also see a lot more F1 actionI've been told my car will be pretty close by so I'll keep my toilet roll in there
We plan to be there all day Saturday and Sunday so was wondering if there are other non-track related things I can entertain my daughter with?
Steve57 said:
As a weekend ticket holder we have Thursday access too so decided we would take full advantage so doing all 4 days. Not sure whats happening Thursday but we have just got pit walk passes for thursday also.
I didn't even realise you could go on Thursday! Well feel free to report back on Friday before I go on Saturday Dazzled said:
No bicycles are allowed in this year not even on the Thursday or Friday.
The perimeter access road is now open past the front of what will be Escapade between Copse and Becketts.
My ticket gives me free access to the BRDC golf buggies which at least takes us from the farm to the clubhouseThe perimeter access road is now open past the front of what will be Escapade between Copse and Becketts.
GAjon said:
QuattroDave said:
It's looking a bit touch and go for the GP now if I'm being honest. ####ing covid caught up with over the weekend. Day 6 now and still a banging headache, sweats/shivers, sore throat, cough. Not really leaving it much time to get better :@
You’d better phone Nico Hulkenberg to go in your place, he’s used to doing that.Siao said:
Did you make it in the end Dave?
I did thank you Siao, albeit in a haze of paracetamol, ibuprofen and energy drinks!On the Saturday my daughter and I briefly met and spoke to Anthony Hamilton, got to view FP3 from the pit entry then causally had a look around Zak Brown's McLaren speedtail (what a beautiful car) as well as a look around the new Artura as a couple of McLaren guys were just about to head out on track in it but let us have a poke around. Spent the rest of the day between the BRDC clubhouse where we could see cars coming down Wellington Straight, into brooklands, luffield then woodcote and the Farm grandstand where we had a full length view of the hamilton straight and abbey.
Sunday was a bit more varied, looked around the museum, checked out a lot of stalls, enjoyed the funfair with daughter. Was about 20ft from Zhou when he crashed in spectacular fashion on the opening lap and then watched the restart and rest of the race from the clubhouse grandstand where I got to see Verstappen run Schumacher off track and a few great moves between Leclerc and Hamilton.
Fantastic couple of days and a truly great first race to watch live
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff