Full Version: British and French GP 2009
My wife and I going to both the British and French and GPs in 2009. We'r from the US and have never attended an overseas F-1 race. How do we get tickets for these races? Will there be a French GP next year? How do you travel between the two races? How expensive are tickets and accomdations? What acctractions are near the races that my wife would like? I may have more questions. thanks.
Originally posted by Lemans
My wife and I going to both the British and French and GPs in 2009. We'r from the US and have never attended an overseas F-1 race. How do we get tickets for these races? Will there be a French GP next year? How do you travel between the two races? How expensive are tickets and accomdations? What acctractions are near the races that my wife would like? I may have more questions. thanks.
My wife and I going to both the British and French and GPs in 2009. We'r from the US and have never attended an overseas F-1 race. How do we get tickets for these races? Will there be a French GP next year? How do you travel between the two races? How expensive are tickets and accomdations? What acctractions are near the races that my wife would like? I may have more questions. thanks.
I haven't been to either one but I think you chose the two worst GPs in the calendar when it comes to attractions near the track(s).
The tickets you can purchase them from many websites. I usually buy my tickets from F1tickets.com as prices are pretty much the same everywhere. I have bought tickets there for Malaysia, Brazil, and Italy and never had any problems.
Agree there.No idea what your wife is into,but London & Paris the most likely places where most people will find something of interest.Silverstone is about 20miles from civilisation-Northampton to where there is a regular train service from London.There should be a bus shuttle to the circuit on GP day.Never been to Magny Cours but I believe the situation there is simlar.
If I was planing a trip-I would look at Monaco,Valencia,Spa & Monza in that order.
If I was planing a trip-I would look at Monaco,Valencia,Spa & Monza in that order.
Buy your tickets direct from the horse mouth. I don't see the point in going through a third-party unless you want to pay slightly inflated prices and have less to fall back on if things don't go according to plan.
Silverstone
http://www.gpfrancef1.com/
Never been to the French GP so can't offer much in the way of advice. For Silverstone though, most bed & breakfasts and hotels will probably be booked out by now. Might be advisable to look for somewhere to stay in Milton Keynes, which unfortunately isn't the greatest impression of British life (unless you like concrete and roundabouts).
There are a few villages and towns around Silverstone/Towcester though which are ok to chill out in.
Silverstone
http://www.gpfrancef1.com/
Never been to the French GP so can't offer much in the way of advice. For Silverstone though, most bed & breakfasts and hotels will probably be booked out by now. Might be advisable to look for somewhere to stay in Milton Keynes, which unfortunately isn't the greatest impression of British life (unless you like concrete and roundabouts).
There are a few villages and towns around Silverstone/Towcester though which are ok to chill out in.
Yes as others say, Silverstone is pretty much in the middle of no where as far as tourist attractions (or anything else) are concerned.
I live about 2 hours drive from the circuit, but to save us traveling every day, in 2005 we stayed in a hotel. The closest we could get
was 12 miles from the circuit, it was shabby, expensive and still in the middle of no where. I wont be doing the same again.
If yourself and your wife would like a more stress free, pampered GP experience with plenty to do away from the circuit I'd heartily
recommend the Italian GP at Monza (staying in Milan) or the European GP at Valencia. Neither are expensive, public transport is
excellent and with the cities of Milan and Valencia at your doorstep you wont get bored or hungry!
I always buy my tickets straight from the circuits official website.
I live about 2 hours drive from the circuit, but to save us traveling every day, in 2005 we stayed in a hotel. The closest we could get
was 12 miles from the circuit, it was shabby, expensive and still in the middle of no where. I wont be doing the same again.
If yourself and your wife would like a more stress free, pampered GP experience with plenty to do away from the circuit I'd heartily
recommend the Italian GP at Monza (staying in Milan) or the European GP at Valencia. Neither are expensive, public transport is
excellent and with the cities of Milan and Valencia at your doorstep you wont get bored or hungry!
I always buy my tickets straight from the circuits official website.
If French GP is next year at Magny Cours, I would think twice. Track is literally in the middle of nowhere, there's no real GP feeling. What I've heard that even all the teams dislike it, because it's location. Contrast to Montreal, where the city is close and you have great atmosphere whole week.
And this is coming from a person, who hasn't visited either GP's (been to Montreal though)
And this is coming from a person, who hasn't visited either GP's (been to Montreal though)
@ lemans
I've sent you a pm
I've sent you a pm
Well in 2009 I'll be going to Silverstone but having attended Valencia this year and Monza last, I'd definitely recommend both of those, if you're hoping to get more out of your stay than just the race days.
Valencia had a couple of particular pro's and con's though.
Even on the Friday our tickets didn't allow us to sit in any of the other stands. It might not seem like much, but we'd have appreciated the opportunity to see some action and take some pictures from other area's of the track. I think many other circuits allow this.
It might well have been a staff error, but on 2 occasions we were told our ticket was not valid to enter the F1 village, round by the start/finish section.... Hello! We've just paid 375euro's per ticket, I think it should!
On the plus side however, as the track is situated in the city, we could leave during the day and go to a restaurant outside (about 30 minute walk from our stand at the opposite side) and get a decent meal for a fraction of the cost as within the circuit. We could nip out for drinks/snacks and pay at least a third of the circuit equivalent prices.
Valencia had a couple of particular pro's and con's though.
Even on the Friday our tickets didn't allow us to sit in any of the other stands. It might not seem like much, but we'd have appreciated the opportunity to see some action and take some pictures from other area's of the track. I think many other circuits allow this.
It might well have been a staff error, but on 2 occasions we were told our ticket was not valid to enter the F1 village, round by the start/finish section.... Hello! We've just paid 375euro's per ticket, I think it should!
On the plus side however, as the track is situated in the city, we could leave during the day and go to a restaurant outside (about 30 minute walk from our stand at the opposite side) and get a decent meal for a fraction of the cost as within the circuit. We could nip out for drinks/snacks and pay at least a third of the circuit equivalent prices.
Hi,
I went to the French & British GP last year and really enjoyed the experience.
The French GP is a more modest affair at the track as the circuit is smaller and not so developed commercially. It is a compact track but you not able to walk around it as you can at Silverstone. You are restricted to sections which not too bad as these are basically thirds of the track. However for Silverstone Friday & Saturday you can roam all around and sit in any of the grandstands provided you have a grandstand ticket for the Sunday (essential). For me this is a major advantage as in future years you can be watching races at Silverstone and visualise exactly the scene. This year the French and British GP are seperated only by one week which makes a demanding schedule. For purchasing tickets I would buy from the circuits directly as if you do so before end November you will get a good discount. If you are camping the French GP is good fun but it is totally wild the music (ACDC & EuroPop) goes on all night and most of the day and it is loud. However the camping is right next to the track and you can pop back and forward between races for snacks, drinks etc. Facilities in France at the camp site are primitive with only 6 showers for 4/5000 guys around a dozen toilets (although the toilets inside the circuit are plentiful and good). But if you don't roughing it and you are a good sleeper you will have a real ball. Silverstone has a variety of camp site offering everything from full on party to very quiet and variations in between. I would have thought that you need a vehicle and camping kit to do both GP, at both the hotels are few and probably booked by coporate hospitality boys. The journey to Magny Cours takes around 12 hours from London, so plan your journey take it easy and see France and England and two great races you will have a good time (I did). Note that Le Mans is the week before Silverstone so for the trip of a life time how about Le Mans, Silverstone, Magny Cours!! All in 18 days you will need to book into the Betty Ford after but it will be worth it.
I went to the French & British GP last year and really enjoyed the experience.
The French GP is a more modest affair at the track as the circuit is smaller and not so developed commercially. It is a compact track but you not able to walk around it as you can at Silverstone. You are restricted to sections which not too bad as these are basically thirds of the track. However for Silverstone Friday & Saturday you can roam all around and sit in any of the grandstands provided you have a grandstand ticket for the Sunday (essential). For me this is a major advantage as in future years you can be watching races at Silverstone and visualise exactly the scene. This year the French and British GP are seperated only by one week which makes a demanding schedule. For purchasing tickets I would buy from the circuits directly as if you do so before end November you will get a good discount. If you are camping the French GP is good fun but it is totally wild the music (ACDC & EuroPop) goes on all night and most of the day and it is loud. However the camping is right next to the track and you can pop back and forward between races for snacks, drinks etc. Facilities in France at the camp site are primitive with only 6 showers for 4/5000 guys around a dozen toilets (although the toilets inside the circuit are plentiful and good). But if you don't roughing it and you are a good sleeper you will have a real ball. Silverstone has a variety of camp site offering everything from full on party to very quiet and variations in between. I would have thought that you need a vehicle and camping kit to do both GP, at both the hotels are few and probably booked by coporate hospitality boys. The journey to Magny Cours takes around 12 hours from London, so plan your journey take it easy and see France and England and two great races you will have a good time (I did). Note that Le Mans is the week before Silverstone so for the trip of a life time how about Le Mans, Silverstone, Magny Cours!! All in 18 days you will need to book into the Betty Ford after but it will be worth it.
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