I thought it might be interesting for fans who went to the Italian Grand Prix to relate their experience so here's my story:-
A Visit to Monza
I have been to Silverstone every year since 2009 but last weekend was my first trip abroad to a Grand Prix & the Cathedral of Speed certainly didn’t disappoint!
I chose to travel with a racing tour company that took care of all my travel & accommodation so that I only had to enjoy myself. The trip got off to a great start when I spotted Will Buxton on my flight and accosted him at the first opportunity! I am usually quite shy but I was so excited to be going to Monza I just had to shake his hand. I think I gave him a bit of a shock as he had just woken up!
Our tour guides go to every grand prix & entertained us on the journey into Monza with anecdotes about drivers & F1 personalities. The drop off & pick up point was at an entrance to the Royal Park very near the circuit. On Friday I wandered around getting to know the track before the crowds arrived. It is much more enclosed than Silverstone & it’s easy to get lost. You go under the track in places & the centre is a crisscross of paths in the woods. After following one I came out of the trees to see the Parabolica spread in front of me – amazing! I watched practice mainly from a covered stand on the main straight as the open stands were too hot for me in the full sun. I was sat opposite the Mercedes garage (I should declare my allegiance to Lewis now…!) with Ferrari’s next door. There was some commotion in the stand nearby & then the Tifosi covered that section with an enormous Ferrari flag. Not to be out done I stood up & waved my Union Jack passionately to the delight and amusement of the Italians around me who were indicating the difference in size. It was a hilarious moment!
Saturday gave plenty of action on the track & as the grandstands were filling up I bumped into David Coultard & Johnnie Herbert on the crowded paths behind the stands. Qualifying was exciting & gave us a taste of things to come . I returned to my hotel in Como tired but very happy – my man was on pole!
Race day meant an earlier start but it was surprising easy to get to the track. The Tifosi were piling in & it was soon very crowded. The atmosphere was building up and the chanting & cheering were all good humoured. My Union Jack flag did look a bit lonely amongst all the Ferrari ones! As the time for lights out approached the tension rose & I had to pinch myself – was I really here?
The race was Monza at its best - fast & furious. I did feel for the Ferrari fans when Alonso went out as it must have been very disappointing. As Lewis took the chequered flag there was plenty of cheering & waving of all sorts of flags. Massa was obviously a popular third. As an older fan I had some reservations about joining the battle to the podium but hey it had to be done! I soon discovered that I could get my elbows out with the best of them & got close enough to get a good view of the podium & nearly smell the champagne - it was just magic. As the fans began to slowly disperse I wandered down the pit straight to pole position just soaking up the atmosphere.
No Monza didn’t disappoint!
)
the crowds outside the garages were crazy when the drivers appeared - I stayed out the way up at the top end by the scrutineering bays so got some good views of several cars (both F1 and GP2/3) as the cars came up to be checked. The crowds in the pit lane had nothing on the one outside the main entrance to the paddock though - very difficult to get through when I wanted to get past on Saturday morning on my way to the parabolica, however if you don't mind a big crowd there is a good chance to see the drivers arrive and leave. By Sunday night I was very happy and totally exhausted - there is certainly a lot of walking involved, the plus point with Monza is that at least it is all flat 
