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Attending a grand prix


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Poll: Attending a grand prix (246 member(s) have cast votes)

Which of these best describes your viewing history

  1. I try to attend more than one grand prix per year (5 votes [2.03%])

    Percentage of vote: 2.03%

  2. I usually attend one grand prix per year (40 votes [16.26%])

    Percentage of vote: 16.26%

  3. I've been to several grands prix (3 or more) (74 votes [30.08%])

    Percentage of vote: 30.08%

  4. I've only been to one or two grands prix (69 votes [28.05%])

    Percentage of vote: 28.05%

  5. I've never been to a grand prix, but I'm determined to attend at least one before I die (42 votes [17.07%])

    Percentage of vote: 17.07%

  6. Regrettably, I will probably never attend a grand prix (16 votes [6.50%])

    Percentage of vote: 6.50%

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#151 IrvTheSwerve

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 14:12

As one who have previously attended, and will continue to occasionally attend I can not answer for anyone other than say.

 

Noise, sound, growl whichever way you want to label it is what it is, not going to a Grand Prix because of you what you know, or think you know it will sound like is a way to exclude yourself from something which for all it's many faults is an absolute magnificent sporting experience. The 'no sound' is overblown, absolutely nothing is taken from how difficult racing a F1 car is through how it sound.

 

 

You're understating the importance of sound IMO. For me, the vast majority of how daunting and challenging an F1 car is was down to hearing (and feeling) that V10 or V8 approaching and screaming past you. Modern F1 cars look generally on rails and much less 'scary' in real life, in my opinion. The cars look a lot less twitchy now compared to when they were smaller.

 

Not that I'm against the halo as such, but that has also taken away something...the fact that you can't see those iconic helmets out in the open.

 

As I mentioned earlier it also feels a lot less like a typical 'motorsport' event now, too. Plenty of stag dos and just a general 'event' feeling...which is of course what Liberty wanted.

 

I'll still attend them as an F1 fan, but it's more likely to be every 5 years now rather than every year. I never thought I'd say that 5 or 6 years ago. For me, the in-person product now is nowhere near as cool as it used to be. It's still fun of course, they're F1 cars after all...but when you add in the craziness of prices and the rush to purchase tickets, it's just not worth the annual hassle for me.



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#152 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 14:23

You're understating the importance of sound IMO. For me, the vast majority of how daunting and challenging an F1 car is was down to hearing (and feeling) that V10 or V8 approaching and screaming past you. Modern F1 cars look generally on rails and much less 'scary' in real life, in my opinion. The cars look a lot less twitchy now compared to when they were smaller.

 

Not that I'm against the halo as such, but that has also taken away something...the fact that you can't see those iconic helmets out in the open.

 

As I mentioned earlier it also feels a lot less like a typical 'motorsport' event now, too. Plenty of stag dos and just a general 'event' feeling...which is of course what Liberty wanted.

 

I'll still attend them as an F1 fan, but it's more likely to be every 5 years now rather than every year. I never thought I'd say that 5 or 6 years ago. For me, the in-person product now is nowhere near as cool as it used to be. It's still fun of course, they're F1 cars after all...but when you add in the craziness of prices and the rush to purchase tickets, it's just not worth the annual hassle for me.

 

I would much rather have the 1970ies Ferrari 12 cylinders, but the new sound is not what will keep me away from attending a Grand Prix, my rush is from the racing, F1 today as with everything else for me is watched with a weary eye through the rearview mirrors by rose-tinted glasses.

 

How what is now have failings to what was then, and I will be right saying it, however much as the curmudgeon I am, I also have to admit some of what we have now is (vast) improvements of what we had.

 

Complaining about the noise and lag of same is fine, I simply do not understand it as being a reason not to attend a Grand Prix

 

Think I need to qualify that what I am saying is in regard you having never been at a race, those of us who have been to one or many can stop going, we already got the real life buzz.



#153 TennisUK

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 14:32

I've been to about 30 or so Grands Prix.

 

The first was Silverstone in 1989, the next is Silverstone next month. 

 

Next year I may go to Monaco in lieu of France and also quite possibly Silverstone. Just one race this year.

 

The furthest I've travelled is to Suzuka.

 

I'd like to do Austin and Mexico back one year, and Singapore too.

 

The F1 races I've visited are:

 

Silverstone

Paul Ricard

Donington

Magny Cours

Monaco

Barcelona

Spa

Monza

Suzuka

 

Done Le Mans a few times, but never the Indy 500, which I'd also like to visit.



#154 IrvTheSwerve

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 14:32

I would much rather have the 1970ies Ferrari 12 cylinders, but the new sound is not what will keep me away from attending a Grand Prix, my rush is from the racing, F1 today as with everything else for me is watched with a weary eye through the rearview mirrors by rose-tinted glasses.

 

How what is now have failings to what was then, and I will be right saying it, however much as the curmudgeon I am, I also have to admit some of what we have now is (vast) improvements of what we had.

 

Complaining about the noise and lag of same is fine, I simply do not understand it as being a reason not to attend a Grand Prix

 

Think I need to qualify that what I am saying is in regard you having never been at a race, those of us who have been to one or many can stop going, we already got the real life buzz.

 

Not sure what you mean by that final sentence, I've been attending GPs for over 20 years, can't remember how many exactly but it's probably around the 12-14 GP weekends.

 

I haven't said that it's a reason to not attend a GP, simply that for me the product has been diluted such that I will attend less GPs. If it doesn't bother you then good for you - but it has put many, many people off attending as often as they used to. I'm not saying that F1 is crap in real life, far from it. It's just not the experience that it used to be for a lot of people.



#155 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 14:47

Not sure what you mean by that final sentence, I've been attending GPs for over 20 years, can't remember how many exactly but it's probably around the 12-14 GP weekends.

 

I haven't said that it's a reason to not attend a GP, simply that for me the product has been diluted such that I will attend less GPs. If it doesn't bother you then good for you - but it has put many, many people off attending as often as they used to. I'm not saying that F1 is crap in real life, far from it. It's just not the experience that it used to be for a lot of people.

 

I am sorry I am not making myself clear.

 

I am not taking a shot at you.

 

I am saying for purpose of visiting your first Grand Prix ever you should not let noise or lack of same be a determining factor.

 

I.e. you and I can decide or not attend as we have been going since mid 1980ies.



#156 JeePee

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 14:47

A more interesting question arising out of the recent posts in this thread would be… if you’ve previously attended a GP but are no longer interested, what is the primary factor? Seems like it’s a toss up between event cost and engine noise.

The product is getting worse.

The prices are going up.

There are a lot better 'bang for buck' motorsport events to visit.



#157 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 16:36

So attending a cost... preparing for my trip to Spa I went shopping at the Haas website.

 

1 Bucket Hat Haas F1 Team - OneSize

Men's fitted Polo - L

 

Haas-Spa.jpg

 

That will be $117.90...   :cool:

 

So that's a way to make it even more expensive.



#158 Clatter

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 16:54

So attending a cost... preparing for my trip to Spa I went shopping at the Haas website.

1 Bucket Hat Haas F1 Team - OneSize
Men's fitted Polo - L

Haas-Spa.jpg

That will be $117.90... :cool:

So that's a way to make it even more expensive.


I have never purchased any merchandise. Refuse to pay those prices, and won't buy anything that is plastered in logos. If they want me advertise for them, then give me the shirt for free. I remember when the teams used to give away stuff at the GP, but I think the last thing I got was a BMW cap when they had their pitlane experience at Silverstone.

#159 SKL

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 17:00

Was supposed to go to Watkins Glen in '73 with a good friend but as a 3r year med student couldn't get the time off...finally made it to the first F1 race at indy in 2000.  It was worth the wait to hear Michael go by the first time.  Went to COTA in '14 with my boys, first year of the hybrids. Great track, the Carrera Cup cars sounded great... F1 cars were something during qualy, but looked like they were on a Sunday cruise during the race...  went to Miami this year. Admit the cars sounded better but the Porsches were still louder.  To me, the sound is half of the thrill, but then I'm an old fart.

 

In all honesty, CART races during the prime of the '90's at Road America were the highlight of my in person race trips...

 

 

(someday I do want to do Montreal, as I was there for expo '67!)


Edited by SKL, 07 June 2023 - 17:01.


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#160 Beri

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 17:17

A more interesting question arising out of the recent posts in this thread would be… if you’ve previously attended a GP but are no longer interested, what is the primary factor? Seems like it’s a toss up between event cost and engine noise.


The case for me is mostly the type of fans which have flocked to the tracks. The hooligan type of fans who are not interested in any other team of driver aside from their favorite one.

#161 IrvTheSwerve

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Posted 07 June 2023 - 18:16

So attending a cost... preparing for my trip to Spa I went shopping at the Haas website.

 

1 Bucket Hat Haas F1 Team - OneSize

Men's fitted Polo - L

 

Haas-Spa.jpg

 

That will be $117.90...   :cool:

 

So that's a way to make it even more expensive.

F1 merchandise has been mental for a while now. I remember paying £200ish for a Ferrari coat around 2004. Never again.

 

I always look out for the various sales such as Grand Prix Legends now. You can pick up stuff that is for the outgoing season fairly cheap. Picked up a 2022 McLaren T-shirt for around £15 in February.



#162 miso

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Posted 08 June 2023 - 01:33

The case for me is mostly the type of fans which have flocked to the tracks. The hooligan type of fans who are not interested in any other team of driver aside from their favorite one.


This is a huge factor for us too. I'm not bothered by the reduced noise but it's always been a sport where I've felt safe and comfortable attending. Experienced some crap at Hockenheim in 2018 but the stuff people were sharing from European races last year put us off attending this year. If it's more of the same this year, the European races will be off our agenda for a while to come. Monaco in 2019 was fine but there's no way we can do that regularly (it was my partner's 40th birthday present and I told him I'd take him back for his 50th) because we're very fortunate to be able to travel regularly but we're not that fortunate.

#163 Victor

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Posted 08 June 2023 - 07:38

Having attended GPs in the 80's and 90's and after attending a GP in 2021, I can tell you I will not repeat the experience in the hybrid era. The cars are not exciting at all live. They run as if they were on rails. My lawnmower has a much exciting sound than a modern F1. For those who want to have a really stimulating motorsport experience I would recommend attending a WEC or ELMS race. It incomparably cheaper and offers a much more exciting sensorial experience.



#164 monolulu

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Posted 08 June 2023 - 08:14

F1 merchandise has been mental for a while now. I remember paying £200ish for a Ferrari coat around 2004. Never again.

 

I always look out for the various sales such as Grand Prix Legends now. You can pick up stuff that is for the outgoing season fairly cheap. Picked up a 2022 McLaren T-shirt for around £15 in February.

I have been getting my own t-shirts printed for years now & decorating my own hats. Fans have asked where they can get them! Merc don’t need my money. 



#165 PayasYouRace

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Posted 08 June 2023 - 08:19

I found a couple of pics from Jerez 1997. Villeneuve chasing Schumacher shortly before the Dry Sack incident, and 10 year old me looking extremely 90s.

140c025d-b443-4c1d-9ac2-37d5a8172892.jpg
9714fd16-c0aa-48f7-a006-907713cee582.jpg


And yes, that is a Leyton House March umbrella.

#166 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 08 June 2023 - 08:21

I know that I am paying too much for the Haas gear, I am paying too much with open eyes, I will holler and cheer at Kevin and Nico, while they trundle around to finishes in the lower end of the field - For me it's part of the fan package, and something I can splurge on it being 10 years since I last went to see a Grand Prix live.



#167 southernstars

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Posted 08 June 2023 - 08:25

So attending a cost... preparing for my trip to Spa I went shopping at the Haas website.

 

1 Bucket Hat Haas F1 Team - OneSize

Men's fitted Polo - L

 

Haas-Spa.jpg

 

That will be $117.90...   :cool:

 

So that's a way to make it even more expensive.

 

It's more expensive at the track. I bought my sister a purple Hamilton cap in Melbourne this year and was horrified that I had to part with triple figures for it. (She did pay me back VERY quickly.)

 

As for driver fans vs team fans, I don't see a problem with them - maybe because I've always been one, even when I was a small child, before I even got to watch much F1 and my tiny self latched onto the bright smiling Lowndsey. And when he changed from Holden to Ford and all those people were burning their merch and carrying on like pork chops, for me he was still just Lowndsey.

 

So I've never had an issue with driver-fans. To me it's always seemed a vastly more logical approach than to be a team fan.

 

And so I buy the driver's merch, not the team merch, and it's usually way cheaper.



#168 Sterzo

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Posted 09 June 2023 - 10:49

Hats? Attending a Grand Prix is about hats?



#169 Red5ive

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Posted 09 June 2023 - 11:12

Used to attend the Silverstone GP every year but can’t see me going again.

 

the prices are just ridiculous now and frankly the race is better on TV once you have seen it live for the experience a few times. I can afford it but it just doesn’t seem anywhere near good value now- more like a total rip-off.

 

did look at tickets for this year but the “dynamic pricing” they employed led me to immediately decide not going was the right decision after all.

 

just pure greed for an increasingly inferior product.

 

will probably just do Goodwood FOS every couple of years instead.



#170 Jackman

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Posted 09 June 2023 - 11:21

To be fair, if you want to meet drivers you're more likely to do it at Goodwood then at a GP.



#171 Clatter

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Posted 09 June 2023 - 11:59

did look at tickets for this year but the “dynamic pricing” they employed led me to immediately decide not going was the right decision after all.

just pure greed for an increasingly inferior product.


One of my sons had been going to Silverstone for several years, but had trouble with the system dropping him out this year, and the price kept changing. He decided it was getting too expensive. He went to Williams F1 for the day to watch a race instead. Had a great day and enjoyed going around their museum. I think dynamic pricing should be made illegal.

#172 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 09 June 2023 - 12:42

Hats? Attending a Grand Prix is about hats?

 

As an official Vampire, I do all I can to not get direct sun on me, the shaved dome make that an important part to protect.



#173 Brackets

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Posted 09 June 2023 - 15:15

Hats? Attending a Grand Prix is about hats?

For some, it is about burning them.