Attending My/Your First F1 Race

[ESPImperium]

A thread that is needed i think for people who want to attend their first F1 race, like myself.

Im in the lookout for a summer holidy this year, i was thinking about another sports based holiday (other than F1), but now have more questions than answers.

So, it was put my way that why dont i attend my first F1 race. The British GP was suggested, but i dont fancy spending 3 days in Northamptonshire if its gonna do the usual UK wether routine again this summer, and attending your home GP is always a nightmare (with exeption to Australia generally) from many items ive read. So with a look at my work holiday planner, my holidays fall quite neatly on the Canadian GP, and was thinking that should be my first GP attendance ever.

What GPs would anyone that has attended a GP say would be a good alternitive for a first GP or a good GP to attend in general??? If i dont attend a race in 2010, its a definate for 2011.

Thanks In Advance.

[Giblet]

Being a single man, Canadian, and a live F1 race virgin, I fully plan on attending the Canadian GP, and spending some time on the town in Montreal.

I had already started a thread about this, and it can be found here.

The main thing that has changed for me is I now live in 6 hours drive away from Montreal, not 7 hours flying. I intend on going with a friend and likely some members of my family who want a small vacation, and this is a good excuse.

I remember Peter Windsor talking up a great vantage point where he got a really good look at different driving styles / lines, but I am sure his journo status affords him the luxury of basically going anywhere he wants.

I just don't want to be stuck at a corner that shows very little of the track and watch the rest on a large sun-faded TV.

[Valtiel]

My first race is going to be this year's Canadian GP too.

[Hangaku]

A thread that is needed i think for people who want to attend their first F1 race, like myself.

Im in the lookout for a summer holidy this year, i was thinking about another sports based holiday (other than F1), but now have more questions than answers.

So, it was put my way that why dont i attend my first F1 race. The British GP was suggested, but i dont fancy spending 3 days in Northamptonshire if its gonna do the usual UK wether routine again this summer, and attending your home GP is always a nightmare (with exeption to Australia generally) from many items ive read. So with a look at my work holiday planner, my holidays fall quite neatly on the Canadian GP, and was thinking that should be my first GP attendance ever.

What GPs would anyone that has attended a GP say would be a good alternitive for a first GP or a good GP to attend in general??? If i dont attend a race in 2010, its a definate for 2011.

Thanks In Advance.

Dude, my first GP three years ago was at Silverstone, and it was absolutely awesome. We did the park and ride thing that they have set up in Northampton, and it was brilliant. Facilities are great (regardless of what Bernie says), and also this year is the first year of the new setup / facilities.

Check out the camping there, it's a pretty awesome atmosphere.

I don't know why a "home GP" would be any more of a nightmare than an "away" one - if anything, it's the other way around, as it's a lot closer to home if it all goes tits up.

[waynes]

British GP 2010 for me and Mrs Waynes

i've heard F1's before at testing but neither of us have been to a race weekend before.
got a sweet deal, 2 nights B+B, transfers to and from the circuit and general admission tickets for both saturday and sunday so we can walk round the outside of the majority of the circuit (wondering if part of the infield will be open from Abbey due to circuit changes??)

looking forward to it, hope the weather is sweet

[waynes]

quick question re general admission:

Ive been to silverstone on F1 test days before, but will a general admission ticket allow us to see the cars exiting copse into becketts? I want mrs waynes to really see the cars at full speed and this is the best place i can think of, apart from into stowe

Cheers for any answers, plenty of pics will be uploaded for F1 tech users to nosey at

[Hangaku]

Not sure about Copse and Becketts, I'm pretty sure that Copse is guarded by a grandstand / and the F1 retail village, and Becketts I'm not too sure - has a mound down the side of it that requires you to walk up. I'm not sure if you can do this on race day.

However, the other side of the circuit - Stowe, Club, Abbey, Farm, Bridge and part of Priory can all be seen very easily with general admission tickets on race day. You just need to get there damn early because all the hardcore general admission lot with their folding seats, flags and other garb are nearly always the first people to enter the circuit and take prime spots. The favourite place appears to be the bit between Bridge and Abbey.

I wish I was going this year. Hope the weather is kind to you both, Waynes

[waynes]

not long to go now, getting a bit giddy

[dannyteasdale]

quick question re general admission:

Ive been to silverstone on F1 test days before, but will a general admission ticket allow us to see the cars exiting copse into becketts? I want mrs waynes to really see the cars at full speed and this is the best place i can think of, apart from into stowe

Cheers for any answers, plenty of pics will be uploaded for F1 tech users to nosey at

Hi Mate,

I was at the Brit GP when Hamilton took his maiden home win, Me and my dad were in general admission, it was our 1st race too.
We stood between Copse and Maggots and they're was a big screen behind us - bonus! IMO it was a great place to spend atleast a Grand Prix there. Saturday wasnt too bad, about 3 rows of people were infront by the time we got there and on sunday there were about 5/6 rows of people in front but you can see the cars and you can see the race on the screen behind.
I have a pic to post from my time there, Hamilton on the formation lap.

O and if the schedule allows you defo stay for the GP2 race. That was the best race we watched when we were there.

You will definatly get hooked - Ive already booked flights to Australia for 2011! Just waiting for the tickets to be released and ill be purchasing some!
**Ok so that didnt work!! PM me your email address and ill send it through with the rest if you like**
I hope the above pic works as I havnt posted pics before on here.

Have a great time.

Danny

[Just_a_fan]

At Silverstone, try the outside of Maggotts. Copse is a great corner but the run off area is deep so the cars are quite distant. Standing at Maggotts at they sweep right and then left in to Becketts is a great spot to see an F1 car doing what it does best. And you're much closer to the track there.

With the new layout, a good spot will be in the Becketts area because you'll see the classic right-left-right-left series and also be able to look across to the new infield section (albeit some distance away).

As already said, you need to get there very, very, very, very early. Within an hour of the gates opening the best spots will all be taken.

If you get there early enough you can walk around the whole circuit looking for good spots.

Other advice:
Take a hat, long sleeve top, trousers (or zip-off shorts), high factor sun cream, plenty of water. Waterproofs too if you're not in a grandstand. You can buy food and drink obviously, but it is not cheap so you may want to take food too. Silverstone is an old airfield and is totally exposed. The wind can be very strong, there is absolutely no shade in view of the track other than the grandstands. If the weather is hot you will cook hence the need for decent sun cream etc. If the weather is wet you'll want decent wet weather gear. You may want to take a good book too - there are usually long periods with nothing going on and you'll be looking at empty track for several hours early on.

Oh, and have fun!!!

[waynes]

bumping an old thread but here goes

anyone go to Silverstone last year? doing general admission again this year, is there a general admission area near Village corner?

oh, and the funniest part of my post? £468 for 3 tickets and circuit parking

[Sebp]

Finally after 20 years of following the sport I'll be attending my first F1 race in Monaco this year.

Anyone else going, any tips?

[astracrazy]

monaco as a first hey. Ye, take lots of money with ya . Try and see a lot of the circuit. If you got a weekend pass don't waste your time sitting where your sitting on sunday during the race. Your gonna obviously see a lot there so use the other days to sit elsewhere (you get free roaming)

attending my 6th race this year (all British GP) apart from one Monza in 2008. Wayen: I swear its getting more and more expensive. We nearly didn't bother going this year

I love it, i can never get over the noise - it sounds so so so much different. All thoughs that are going to your first gp soon you'll know what i mean. It sends shivers down your spine and leave you craving for more! Honestly the TV does nothing be ruin it.....

[ESPImperium]

Tickets now in, and the realisation is now fast approaching im actually gonna be doing my first GP.

Going to start putting things by, and getting my case ready in the next few days. Plan on traveling decently as well, not too light not too heavy. However, at the track im going to travel as light as i can; camera, money, phone, ID and water.

Stand 6A here i come! I plan on getting as far back as i can so i can have a view of Ascari as well. Typical Scotsman getting double for my money!