Attending a grand prix

I flew down to Montreal from Winnipeg this year for the race with a friend of mine and I absolutely loved it. The atmosphere was great amidst the student protests and the weather was (nearly) perfect.

Edited by PorcupineTroy, 03 January 2013 - 18:57.

Been to 2011 and 2012 British GPs now and hopefully this year with my dad. Really want to go to Belgium, Italy or Hungary this year too but don't know anyone interested in f1 let alone willing to go abroad for it and my dad isn't.

It's the noise that makes it for me. I really haven't found the atmosphere anything special compared to rugby matches I've been to. I'm at the stage in my life where I've got a job butnot moved out of the parents house yet so I'm gonna try and get to a few more races before I've got my own bills to pay.

Edited by SpartanChas, 03 January 2013 - 19:53.

I go every year and yes the facilities could be improved, but they are not really worse than any other outdoor event I have attended.

I've been to Silverstone maybe 60 times or more over the years, and I can honestly say with inflated prices (GP's) for food and toilets that are not serviced as regularly as some music festivals, they are amongst some of the worst outdoor events I have attended.

Food and toillets was much improved in 2012 than last time before that i was at Silverstone in 2006.Also prices was little lower i think.
But it sometimes was too long wait for a beer or a burger.A card like ringcard at Nurburgring would easily solved that problem.There is no waiting there because of the ringcard everybody must use for paying a coffe or a snitzel.
But i still considered Silverstone as my favoritetrack.
The worst problem last 10-20 years is ticket prices,Bernie is too greedy.

Ticket prices make it ridiculous.

You can only engender the feeling of "exclusivity" in having crazy prices if *scarcity* is an issue. Period.

Otherwise, "plan b" is to try to fill a place up. In the case of F1, there is "a lot of place to fill up". It was ridiculous that at Indy there were empty seats - sell them for $10, get the whole town to show up! Stupid, non-promotion.

I went to Indy for my first race... the year there wasn't a race. It was an ENORMOUS extravagance for me. I have to write that experience off, $1,500+ in expense - gone.

The successive times were tremendously enjoyable, in part because the prices were manageable, and *you could sit anywhere on friday and saturday*. Not to mention the PITWALK!

Then, Montreal last year: couldn't afford seats, so GA. Which, at Montreal, basically means either a glimpse of the cars at 200 mph on the back straight, or fighting the herd at 5/6, or squinting through the crowd and trees at the hairpin.

No access to the (mostly empty) stands during FP, or qualifying. No pit walk. Much more than Indy.

Austin? FORGET ABOUT IT, that's 1% er entertainment.

FOM are completely out of touch. Bernie obviously does not care for the longevity of the sport at this juncture, or the role of the live experience in capturing new young people as lifelong fans. The bozosity is painful.

Next time rent the Fanvision thingy at the track, that way you have timing, driver tracking and on-boards available to you.

Yeah, I was expecting to see it available, but I must have missed it. Did anyone else who went to Montreal find one?

Having attended qualifying day at Silverstone in 2010 and 2011 (which I would definitely recommend as a cheaper way of experiencing the sights and sounds of a grand prix weekend, if like me you are lucky enough to live fairly close to a circuit and it's worth a daytrip) we took the plunge for 2012 and bought weekend grandstand tickets with camping. I can honestly say that despite the rain and the mud it was one of the best experiences of my life, I loved every minute of it and I can't wait to do it again.

Personally, I felt our weekend tickets represented fair value for money. We chose the cheapest covered grandstand tickets as, especially with children in tow, we did not consider ourselves hardy enough for general admission. With early booking discount these were just over £200 per adult and £100 per child (camping another £150 odd). For this, we had grandstand seats for what was essentially entertainment from 8:30am to 5pm for three days. Considering that to go to a music concert with reserved seating would cost around £100 for one evening, it doesn't seem a bad deal to me. Perhaps this is down to the fact that I enjoy watching the support events, which in my experience most people don't bother with. I suspect if I felt I was just paying for the time when the F1 cars were on track, I would see the price as a little on the expensive side. On the other hand, we had a fun and different short family holiday for £750, which also seems a fair price.

I also agree that the cost can really be ramped up by the food and drink outlets and the merchandising, but we avoided the majority of that by taking our own food and drink although did end up paying about £8 for the kids to have a tiny bag of pick and mix and when I treated myself to a Pimms after the race it was £11 I wasn't really shocked by the prices , they weren't much different to any other events I have attended in the UK with mobile catering.

I loved my grand prix experience and would recommend that anyone who has the chance to go to a race does so at least once...or dip your toe in the water by going to Friday or Saturday, if you can. My ultimate daydream (lottery win??) would be to spend a year travelling to every single Grand Prix

Edited by Murraytastic, 03 January 2013 - 22:47.

I have been to a race once, Spa 2012 and totally loved it. The atmosphere was just great.
To be among lots of other racing enthusiasts, talking about drivers with other friendly fans from different countries in crowded busses...just wonderful!
And that noice from the cars!
The plan is to go to Silverstone this year. Wonder if Silverstone can measure up to my Spa experience...
It's way too expensive, but my kids are grown up now, so I'll waist the money on my own pleasures now

It's all about priorities. I suspect my F1 travelling days will be over when I get my own missus and family! I might as well make the most of the last throes of youth...

Or you could always marry a girl who loves motorsport and make it a family tradition to go to a race each year.

Regarding Silverstone, I can't argue that improvements have been made in many areas, but last year's weather showed a few places where the cracks have just been papered over.

My dad and I always sit down at Club, an area which pre-2011 had been generally the 'quieter' end of the track as it was on the opposite end to the old start/finish line and pits, food and merchandising areas which the majority of visitors naturally gravitate to, which had the benefit of having masses of space for thousands of people to walk through.

Fast forward two years and those people all continue to gravitate to the start/finish and pit area, except for the fact its now situated in a location on the circuit where the perimeter has far, far less space around it, less food stands, toilets and a single pathway. The weather combined with the soil banking for the grandstands caused water to run down and form a two foot wide river on the pathway with no proper drainage, making the pathway even more narrow... Add to that the thousands of feet walking through the sodden grass areas brought mud everywhere to something akin from Glastonbury, not a grand prix. Because of the way the food stands were placed, you also had queues forming into the pathway, making walking down it even tougher. I dread to think what would have happened if some kind of emergency like a fire had broken out at some of the busiest times during the weekend.

In the 15 years i've been going to Silverstone, 2012 was the worst experience I've had (including the race in April 2000). I know weather was out of their control, but 2012 raised some basic infrastructure questions for the venue following the millions of investment in the new complex and pits. To not improve the public area around your circuits centrepiece at all just seems mind boggling to me, but as someone else said, the public's satisfaction pales into insignificance as long as the poison dwarf is happy.

Sorry for the rant, but that had been stewing since last July!

Monza 2010 to experience the Tifosi on a home win was MEMORABLE.
The outliers of the original track was a haunting remembrance to times gone by, it's true, you CAN feel the ghosts of the old (real?) Formula1.
RECOMMENDED and the fans were amazing, friendly and knowledgeable.
The climate, beer, food and hospitality were 2nd to none, if in doubt DO MONZA!!
Stayed in the mountains above Lake Como and started each day on the ferry, magical drive in itself.
Now just want to do Spa, Suzuka and Interlagos, but 60 this year and kids need things so..............................

You guys in Europe have no idea how good you have it. Here in AU you get one chance a year...and by that I mean I "only" have to travel 2,000km. Have only made it down once so far.

That said, I'm boarding a plane towards the end of May this year & flying straight into Nice for the Monaco GP. It's only 17,000km...

You guys in Europe have no idea how good you have it. Here in AU you get one chance a year...and by that I mean I "only" have to travel 2,000km. Have only made it down once so far.

That said, I'm boarding a plane towards the end of May this year & flying straight into Nice for the Monaco GP. It's only 17,000km...

try living in NZ then..........;)

Just got a new job (like an hour ago) on gorgon gas project off the coast of western aus, 26 days on, 9 days off. My first swing ends on the friday of the melb GP. I'm there!

Will be travelling to sweden most of the time on my time off as the wife is studying over there so some euro GP's are a certainty!

It's strange but I'm more afraid of going to the Brit GP than the Brazil one. Seems like a mess and so much can go wrong.

Edited by goldenboy, 04 January 2013 - 04:55.

Monza 2010 to experience the Tifosi on a home win was MEMORABLE.
The outliers of the original track was a haunting remembrance to times gone by, it's true, you CAN feel the ghosts of the old (real?) Formula1.
RECOMMENDED and the fans were amazing, friendly and knowledgeable.
The climate, beer, food and hospitality were 2nd to none, if in doubt DO MONZA!!
Stayed in the mountains above Lake Como and started each day on the ferry, magical drive in itself.
Now just want to do Spa, Suzuka and Interlagos, but 60 this year and kids need things so..............................

I stayed in milan this year but want to do it next time staying at como, that would be amazing

Or you could always marry a girl who loves motorsport and make it a family tradition to go to a race each year.

Unfortunately there are not many hot girls into motorsport lol. I know girls who like F1 but I wouldn't marry any of them

As there have been a number of comments here and generally about how bad it is at a Grand Prix, such as traffic congestion, parking, mud, food, toilets, view, etc. etc. why is it the attending public hasn't voted with their feet and stayed away. Is actually being there really worth the hassle?

They are staying away - every year the crowds are getting smaller at the races as the prices escalate. It's entertaining to see how they move the cameras to try and avoid shots of empty grandstands.

They are staying away - every year the crowds are getting smaller at the races as the prices escalate. It's entertaining to see how they move the cameras to try and avoid shots of empty grandstands.

Silverstone still was a sell out wasn't it?

I saw healthy crowds at other races too.
Sure some races will have to cope with smaller crowds but there seems to be this economic crisis at the moment that might keep the people away from expensive luxury outings such as a F1 race.
Also some races have traditionally a smaller crowd as their funding doesn't rely on the spectators.

But maybe you have some figures to show us the crowds are getting smaller because the prices escalate?

That's 1 in 20, and anyone who works at the races will tell you the numbers have been clearly dropping for the last few years - Dieter Rencken has written numerous articles about it on this site, for example, quoting the numbers.

been to a few races mainly silverstone but also spa and spain and it can work out good if you can combine a holiday with a GP spain cost a similar price to silverstone but staying in a hotel in barcelona for a week over a tent in a campsite obv won
silverstone has been top for facilities over spa and spain imo

for the past few years i;ve considered going to a race but the cost does put me off living in scotland adds a lot on to the cost of going to most european races when you consider flights or extra petrol

last year (well 2011) i went to silverstone for the btcc weekend and including petrol and staying in a hotel in milton keynes, food, ticket cost was still a lot cheaper than going to silverstone for F1 and had the bonus of seeing more racing than on a f1 weekend
these days i prefer to get a main holiday and going to see racing as a extra unfortunately the cost of combining both if too expensive when i look at where i would want to go (australia etc) worst is Valencia would have been ideal for this but didnt get round to going and when i do consider they took the race off

Edited by fifi, 04 January 2013 - 10:26.

What is the cheapest one to attend?

What is the cheapest one to attend?

Malaysia (without flight of course ).

Malaysia is super cheap. I bought my tickets end of last year and they were half prce. SGD$78 for Grandstand tickets where you cn see nearly 75% of tracklast year I booked a week before the event and airfare from Singapore cost me $50!!

I have been to a race once, Spa 2012 and totally loved it. The atmosphere was just great.
To be among lots of other racing enthusiasts, talking about drivers with other friendly fans from different countries in crowded busses...just wonderful!
And that noice from the cars!

I've been to Spa twice - 2004 and 2011. The atmosphere is brilliant, it feels like a pilgrimage of motorsport fans across Europe. It's also a bit of a trek into the Ardennes to get there which further reinforces the community spirit.

As for prices, a 4 day general admission at the gate in 2011 cost me €160, which comes out at €40 a day. Whilst not exactly a steal the pricing felt reasonable to visiting another major sporting event for such a period of time.

However, Spa is slightly exceptional in having great general viewing areas due to all of the elevation changes. This is certainly not true of all tracks, forcing you into the pricier grandstand seats.

I would recommend attending a race to anyone who hasn't, but accept the limitations of the experience. You will not see all of the track, you will likely be less aware of the race than the TV viewers (although you can compensate with Fanvision). The key benefits you get are the atmosphere and seeing/hearing the racing with your own eyes.

Please post more.
Jp

Drove to the Montreal GP with my late Father in 1998 to cheer on Villeneuve after his WDC in 1997. Schumacher won the race.

Oh yeah, we had to drive a little to get there in 1998: 9000 km (return trip) to get there and back in my 1989 Peugeot 405. The trip was not really about going to an F-1 race, but it was a fun thing to do with my old Dad, and now that he's been gone for 7 years, it is cherished even more.

He took me to my first race in 1970: the 1000 km race at Spa-Francorchamps. That was a mythical race at a fantastic venue, F-1 doesn't hold a candle to it.

Incidentally, I would not go out of my way to see another F-1 race, well maybe if my son wants to drive across Canada sometime I will change my mind.....

It's fun to throw a topic out and see where it leads. The responses have been interesting, but I don't think I've seen any direct responses to my second "bonus" question:

What is the most amount of money you've spent (tickets, lodging, travel, etc.) to attend a grand prix (measured by percentage of annual income)?

If you've spent $3,000 to see a race, but your yearly income is is $200,000, I'm not impressed. But if you've spent $500, with a yearly income of $15,000, that's real dedication.

I think it was about $250 for the "silver" seating at the Casino hairpin, I would not have spent any more. We stayed at a friend's home in Gatineau, a 2 hour drive from MTL. I think I bought two t-shirts there, so maybe I was into it for $300. I would not go to another F-1 race in North America, I think. Spa or Monza, sure.

I replied. Most I spent was about 4k..about 5% of my annual income @ the time

Only 2011 Belgian GP so far, great memories. I love Spa and wanted it to be my first GP.
Looking for something great for 2014. It's a bit shame that they won't be racing in Austria, Red Bull Ring would be a great place to see.

Ive been to Silverstone on several occasions when testing wasnt banned and have watched 2 GPs there too. Went to just Qualy last year and got beyond drenched, but the track cant help the weather. The parking really was beyond ruined by the weather though and the lack of a contingency was astounding really.

A few mates and myself have always planned on doing a road trip to Belgium to do Spa for a whole weekend but the cost has always been a touch prohibitive, and now as a married man i'm finding it really hard to justify that kind of money, and I know my friends are in the same boat.

Just to add, the very first sight I had of an F1 car in anger was Nico Hulkenberg at 2012 monza, first hearing the car and seeing glimpses of it through the trees, before bursting out of the scond lesmo and screaming down the back straight leading up to ascari. It's amazing how close you feel to the car on that section! Magic.

The best example I can give of how you can notice differences between tv and seeing it live was watching lewis in practice 1. While everyone was still pussyfooting around he was braking what seemed like 50 metres later, immediately. Straight away I felt it was going to be a good weekend for him.

Also the force Indias were just angrily fast around biassano. You can't really tell those little differences watching it on tv.

I went to Silverstone in 2009 as my first GP and I found the price astronomical! At the time I thought it's unlikely I’ll be doing this again as I was still at uni and dirt poor so just bit the bullet and forked out. It's the shame the race was so bad, but the weekend was amazing. The crowd, atmosphere, noise and even smell added to the value.

Since then I’ve been to Spa twice and Catalunya once. Spa is outrageous value for money; 110 euro for three days general admin! Amazing. Barcelona was awesome with my mates and the race was excellent.

Going to Spa and Montreal this year so apparently it's become a regular thing for me to do during the year!

What is the cheapest one to attend?

2000-2007 Indy was $10 to get in on Friday.

Beat THAT..

Jp

I have been to 11 grand prix so far, all at the same Track, Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. 1995,1996,1999,2000,2005,2006,2007,2008,2010,2011,2012.

95 with Alesi winning in the Ferrari 27 was a magical moment, and also the very first time I saw a F1 car on that year Friday practice 1, Eddie Irvine came screaming by with his Jordan Peugeot v10. Something I will never forget.
I also witnessed Hill's victory in 96, as well as wins from Kimi, Mika and Fernando,Hamilton first ever win,Kubica first ever and only win, the rainy 2011 GP and other things that slips my mind right now, I would love to go at another venue, Austin is the most logical, if the new jersey GP gets going that would make it even easy being only a 5 hours drive from Montreal. Spa and monza are on my bucket list, but I doubt it will ever happen.

I also attended almost all NASCAR busch/nationwide series race, only exemption being 2009 as I was busy getting married, and I attended one of the CART races, 2001 if my memory serves me well

Oh yeah, the smell. Best smell in the world.

First go at Silverstone last year, think i got a bit unlucky but still enjoyed it none the less. Heading to testing at Barcelona next month, seriously good value! Then hopefully Italian Gp later on in the year. The one i would love to attend is the Brazillian gp, just seems so magical!

JP

I paid less than SGD50 for 3 days Malaysian GP. Last year. General admission under cover. If you took GA without cover it was about SGD25. (And if u buy before 31 dec they halve the price!!!

Don't normally do GA biut was only flying in for race day that year so didnmt mind.

I've been to 4 canadian Grad Prix (1985, 1990, 1993, 2003) and 2 American Grand Prix (1985, 2003).

I was thinking of taking my wife to the Canadian GP last year (living in Toronto, Canada) but quickly realized that a trip to Hawaii or Paris would be cheaper...

sad.

Desperately want to go to : (in this order)

1) Spa (my wife's sister lives near Brussels so this is a possibility)
2) Monaco. I buy lottery tickets... !
3) Suzuka. Good luck - I know.
4) Interlagos - possible - but I've heard that you cannot se the city - it is shuttles from hotel to track... crime being what it is - or am I out of touch?
5) Hockenheim - not because of the new, lame track - but because I'd love to go back to the Sinsheim, Porsche and Mercedes Museums....
6) Silverstone: This would be number one or two, but for the cost, the accessability, the cost, the accessability and the cost. ;-)


Been to Sepang for the 2006 MotoGP - fun - but too hot! My ex wife was Chinese jamaican, so I used to go down to Montego Bay often - and that is hot. Kuala Lumpur? Cloudy, humid, and so hot that breathing induces sweat...

Still - tickets for the motoGP equalled about $15 Canadian (about par with US$ at present).

Coutries I'd like to see a GP in that no longer host GPs?

1) France. How could the FIA have let them off the calendar???????? Yeah - I know that Magny Cours was no Spa - but then - neither is China, Korea, India, etc etc. And France has been there from the beginning.
2) Mexico....
3) Austria
4) Argentina
5) Netherlands

Tracks I'd like most to see back on the calendar?

1) Watkins Glen (it's not SO far from me).
2) Nurburgring (the REAl one - yeah - I know it's impossible)
3) Montjuïc (Barcelona)
4) Kyalami (if Bernie is SO keen on all the nes paytracks in Asia - why not TRUE "world representation" by including a track from Africa? (Oh yeah - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ - got it.)
5) Monza. But with the banking... :-)

Sorry - got a bit carried away.

I'd love to see the Glen on the calendar but the only way that'll happen is if they sanitise the circuit completely, which would take a lot of work & money.

Yeah, I was expecting to see it available, but I must have missed it. Did anyone else who went to Montreal find one?

Yes - there were Fanvision stalls at the hairpin (behind grandstand 24) and at the first corner (behind grandstand 11 - although you could only access this area if you had tickets for GS 11/12).

I actually bought one outright at Melbourne 2011 (for about $250) as I knew I was going to 5 races that year and it was cheaper to buy the set. That price included subscriptions for all 20 races in 2011, but for 2012 you had to pay something like 20 pounds per race (cheaper than just renting a set for the weekend). It's great because often the PA system at tracks is poor, plus you're not restricted to viewing only from areas where there is a big screen.

I love the Fanvision sets and wouldn't go to a race without it

Or you could always marry a girl who loves motorsport and make it a family tradition to go to a race each year.

Unfortunately there are not many hot girls into motorsport lol. I know girls who like F1 but I wouldn't marry any of them

tifosiMac has hit the nail on the head here

Nevertheless, I shall do my best to charm Lee McKenzie at Albert Park

I paid less than SGD50 for 3 days Malaysian GP. Last year. General admission under cover. If you took GA without cover it was about SGD25. (And if u buy before 31 dec they halve the price!!!)

Not only that, but everyone also gets free access to the main grandstand on Friday - even if you don't have a ticket for the rest of the weekend. The inside of the final corner, where the tower is, is a fantastic spot to watch and photograph F1 cars. Plenty of lock-ups, collisions and overtaking.

Even though I think the Singapore GP is a more enjoyable (and far more expensive, to be fair) event, Sepang is definitely worth a visit. My mate is having his stag do in KL during GP weekend but I'll likely give it a miss as I'll probably be dying after Albert Park the week before - especially since race day is on St Patrick's Day!

Races on my 'to do' list include Monaco, Spa, Monza, Suzuka and Austin (in that order). Unfortunately, due to work, only the last two look likely for the foreseeable future. Oh how I wish I was back living in Europe during the F1 season!

tifosiMac has hit the nail on the head here

Nevertheless, I shall do my best to charm Lee McKenzie at Albert Park

Good luck with Lee, she's a babe

JP

I paid less than SGD50 for 3 days Malaysian GP. Last year. General admission under cover. If you took GA without cover it was about SGD25. (And if u buy before 31 dec they halve the price!!!

Don't normally do GA biut was only flying in for race day that year so didnmt mind.

Not only that, but everyone also gets free access to the main grandstand on Friday - even if you don't have a ticket for the rest of the weekend. The inside of the final corner, where the tower is, is a fantastic spot to watch and photograph F1 cars. Plenty of lock-ups, collisions and overtaking.

Even though I think the Singapore GP is a more enjoyable (and far more expensive, to be fair) event, Sepang is definitely worth a visit. My mate is having his stag do in KL during GP weekend but I'll likely give it a miss as I'll probably be dying after Albert Park the week before - especially since race day is on St Patrick's Day!

How do they make a profit? Selling overpriced food?

Been to Montreal every year since '99 (with the exception of the cancelled '09 race), and attended Austin as well. Love both races, and both cities!

Been to the British G.P about 10 times. Didn't go last year, due to the cost. But hated not being there so will be be going back this year, although a group of lads we know might not be so that's annoying.

How do they make a profit? Selling overpriced food?

Food and drink at Sepang was also cheap so I'm certain they don't make a profit. I assume the race is heavily subsidised by Petronas.

I'd be amazed if there were many races that actually turned a profit today, given the high sanctioning fees Bernie charges and the falling attendances. Monaco perhaps?

Does anyone have any info regarding F1 races making a profit/loss?

I did mention some posts ago that food trailers are charged £30-40,000 to pitch for the weekend at the British GP. Its not the sellers who are ripping you off because they have to make that money back before they consider making a profit. This will drive prices up naturally and unlike some other venues, Silverstone isn't subsidised by the government or large oil companies.

Just to add, the very first sight I had of an F1 car in anger was Nico Hulkenberg at 2012 monza, first hearing the car and seeing glimpses of it through the trees, before bursting out of the scond lesmo and screaming down the back straight leading up to ascari. It's amazing how close you feel to the car on that section! Magic.

FOM doesn't get this! The VOLUME allows you to hear the car *in the distance*; and the first impression of it HAS to remain stunning! It's the Keith Moon Principle.

The best example I can give of how you can notice differences between tv and seeing it live was watching lewis in practice 1. While everyone was still pussyfooting around he was braking what seemed like 50 metres later, immediately. Straight away I felt it was going to be a good weekend for him.

You can't watch just one turn on tv. So you can't notice things like, everyone comes out during FP1 and slowly gets their braking points happening, until they over run - but then Schumacher comes out and gets it perfect in 1 lap. You can *see* it in front of you, and compare it to everyone else. Very difficult to do on tv.

I'd pay to watch a camera on just 1 or two turns.