Official 2024 Spanish Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[thegreenhell]

We need Darren Heath to find out what Red Bull are up to.

[SpudLink]

thegreenhell said:

We need Darren Heath to find out what Red Bull are up to.

Is he the guy that photographed the McLaren extra pedal?

[Sandpit Steve]

Damn, listening to it back, he did say ‘throttle pedal’.

Still a little weird as to the engineer’s response though, he clearly didn’t wish to discuss any further on an open channel.

[honda_exige]

SpudLink said:

Sandpit Steve said:

HarryW said:

I don’t think I’m reading too much into this, but Perez’s English is not that bad, is it.
Or do they have a front wing cheat device cum gizmo that’s activated by the pedal?

Perez: "Is there anything wrong with the front pedal? We are understeering too much."

Engineer: "We'll have a talk in the garage."

Yeah, that was a weird little conversation. What’s a ‘front pedal’, and what are they doing with it?

Adjustment to suspension stiffness or geometry?

Probably brake balance, hence the understeer comment.

This is Kmags car for a couple years ago, he was changing brake balance using that lever. Could be pedals, switches etc to driver preference.

[Drew106]

Hustle_ said:

There's something off here about people saying that Silverstone isn't a good circuit and other people saying that Qatar or Abu Dhabi can be done for the same cost

Silverstone is a world class circuit. It often produces great Grands Prix. I bet the atmosphere is great. Sure I'd prefer it to be cheaper...

Not much criticism of the circuit or atmosphere from me. I've been two Silverstone many times, twice to the GP. It's great and I'd go again for sure.

Camping for the weekend was brilliant craic. I went first in 2012 when Webber won. With gloriously aggressive screaming V8s. Then again in 2014 with the very disappointing sounding V6s! But was a Hamilton victory, just his second at Silverstone and the start of an amazing run of back to back home wins.

The price is the problem for me. To spend that much you'd want to, at the least, go for the weekend and enjoy it all. I'd quite like to go just on race day, with a seat, but can't justify spending that much. If I wanted to bring my wife and son -- it'd be £1,222.50 for the cheapest seat available at the min (50% discount for under 11s). Having a giraffe.

....not to mention, probably £100 on a disappointing lunch and a few beers.

It's not just the cost, but value for money. For the above price I'm sure we could go to the Hungarian GP incl. flights and hotel (maybe a bit of a push all things considered, but not far off).

[TheDeuce]

Drew106 said:

Hustle_ said:

There's something off here about people saying that Silverstone isn't a good circuit and other people saying that Qatar or Abu Dhabi can be done for the same cost

Silverstone is a world class circuit. It often produces great Grands Prix. I bet the atmosphere is great. Sure I'd prefer it to be cheaper...

Not much criticism of the circuit or atmosphere from me. I've been two Silverstone many times, twice to the GP. It's great and I'd go again for sure.

Camping for the weekend was brilliant craic. I went first in 2012 when Webber won. With gloriously aggressive screaming V8s. Then again in 2014 with the very disappointing sounding V6s! But was a Hamilton victory, just his second at Silverstone and the start of an amazing run of back to back home wins.

The price is the problem for me. To spend that much you'd want to, at the least, go for the weekend and enjoy it all. I'd quite like to go just on race day, with a seat, but can't justify spending that much. If I wanted to bring my wife and son -- it'd be £1,222.50 for the cheapest seat available at the min (50% discount for under 11s). Having a giraffe.

....not to mention, probably £100 on a disappointing lunch and a few beers.

It's not just the cost, but value for money. For the above price I'm sure we could go to the Hungarian GP incl. flights and hotel (maybe a bit of a push all things considered, but not far off).

And yet... They sell out, so the price is right - or arguably could be slightly higher.

I certainly wouldn't pay that much, but there's no arguing the commercial logic. It's worth what people will pay, same as my house, car and kidneys are worth.

[Drew106]

TheDeuce said:

Drew106 said:

Hustle_ said:

There's something off here about people saying that Silverstone isn't a good circuit and other people saying that Qatar or Abu Dhabi can be done for the same cost

Silverstone is a world class circuit. It often produces great Grands Prix. I bet the atmosphere is great. Sure I'd prefer it to be cheaper...

Not much criticism of the circuit or atmosphere from me. I've been two Silverstone many times, twice to the GP. It's great and I'd go again for sure.

Camping for the weekend was brilliant craic. I went first in 2012 when Webber won. With gloriously aggressive screaming V8s. Then again in 2014 with the very disappointing sounding V6s! But was a Hamilton victory, just his second at Silverstone and the start of an amazing run of back to back home wins.

The price is the problem for me. To spend that much you'd want to, at the least, go for the weekend and enjoy it all. I'd quite like to go just on race day, with a seat, but can't justify spending that much. If I wanted to bring my wife and son -- it'd be £1,222.50 for the cheapest seat available at the min (50% discount for under 11s). Having a giraffe.

....not to mention, probably £100 on a disappointing lunch and a few beers.

It's not just the cost, but value for money. For the above price I'm sure we could go to the Hungarian GP incl. flights and hotel (maybe a bit of a push all things considered, but not far off).

And yet... They sell out, so the price is right - or arguably could be slightly higher.

I certainly wouldn't pay that much, but there's no arguing the commercial logic. It's worth what people will pay, same as my house, car and kidneys are worth.

It's not selling out this year, which is why it's getting more press. I've not crunched the numbers, but one source when Googling said it has increased 238% in 5 years. Crazy.

[Crudeoink]

Nova Gyna said:

Across the weekend, Silverstone had 400,000 people through the gate in '22, 480,000 last year, and they’re expecting even more this year.

I’ll be happy watching from the sofa with a fridge full of beer and no queuing for the bog.

It blows my mind that there are this many people that watch the F1, let alone pay these sorts of prices. I've lots of friends and family that work or have worked in F1 and hardly any of them have been to Silverstone for the GP unless it's been for free through work. Last time I was there was 2017 and was working so got free tickets for the weekend.

[Burrow01]

vaud said:

Burrow01 said:

Makes my trip to Le Mans last week look like a bargain, £1250 for Entry, Grandstand opposite the pits, pre-erected tent in a private site for 5 days

How are the tents? Are we talking about 6ftx3ft and no room to swing a cat or a decent size?

What would be described as a 4 person tent by the manufacturer (used for 2 people) - good sized sleeping area, and a large porch, with a space outside to BBQ and part your car, and its right next to the track.

www.lycian.co.uk

[TheDeuce]

Drew106 said:

TheDeuce said:

Drew106 said:

Hustle_ said:

There's something off here about people saying that Silverstone isn't a good circuit and other people saying that Qatar or Abu Dhabi can be done for the same cost

Silverstone is a world class circuit. It often produces great Grands Prix. I bet the atmosphere is great. Sure I'd prefer it to be cheaper...

Not much criticism of the circuit or atmosphere from me. I've been two Silverstone many times, twice to the GP. It's great and I'd go again for sure.

Camping for the weekend was brilliant craic. I went first in 2012 when Webber won. With gloriously aggressive screaming V8s. Then again in 2014 with the very disappointing sounding V6s! But was a Hamilton victory, just his second at Silverstone and the start of an amazing run of back to back home wins.

The price is the problem for me. To spend that much you'd want to, at the least, go for the weekend and enjoy it all. I'd quite like to go just on race day, with a seat, but can't justify spending that much. If I wanted to bring my wife and son -- it'd be £1,222.50 for the cheapest seat available at the min (50% discount for under 11s). Having a giraffe.

....not to mention, probably £100 on a disappointing lunch and a few beers.

It's not just the cost, but value for money. For the above price I'm sure we could go to the Hungarian GP incl. flights and hotel (maybe a bit of a push all things considered, but not far off).

And yet... They sell out, so the price is right - or arguably could be slightly higher.

I certainly wouldn't pay that much, but there's no arguing the commercial logic. It's worth what people will pay, same as my house, car and kidneys are worth.

It's not selling out this year, which is why it's getting more press. I've not crunched the numbers, but one source when Googling said it has increased 238% in 5 years. Crazy.

If McLaren or Merc take a win or near win this weekend, I reckon they'll sell out for Silverstone.

And whatever happens, come Silverstone weekend, they'll have sold out, even if they have to bump up marketing.

It's obviously easier to sell out when there's a very high likelihood of a British team and/or driver winning, but I expect they'll get em all sold in the end regardless.

[thegreenhell]

You can tell it's going to be an exciting one when most of the race thread is people talking about ticket prices for a completely different race.

[Diderot]

honda_exige said:

SpudLink said:

Sandpit Steve said:

HarryW said:

I don’t think I’m reading too much into this, but Perez’s English is not that bad, is it.
Or do they have a front wing cheat device cum gizmo that’s activated by the pedal?

Perez: "Is there anything wrong with the front pedal? We are understeering too much."

Engineer: "We'll have a talk in the garage."

Yeah, that was a weird little conversation. What’s a ‘front pedal’, and what are they doing with it?

Adjustment to suspension stiffness or geometry?

Probably brake balance, hence the understeer comment.

This is Kmags car for a couple years ago, he was changing brake balance using that lever. Could be pedals, switches etc to driver preference.

They were talking about it in commentary. Even having completely lifted off the throttle, there would be some % of throttle still being applied, thus pushing the car on.

[Westyn]

After a great race in Canada, I am expecting another good race this weekend. Apart from the track action, there are many off track activities happening throughout the weekend in Barcelona including this fan meetup at Milans Cocktail Bar on Saturday at 8:00 pm. If you like spending time with other F1 fans and discuss the sport, this event is perfect for you.

[paulguitar]

shirt said:

Barcelona is a great track to visit though, and it’s a decent circuit to drive. Never been for the f1 but have done several 24H races.

The Madrid layout looks rubbish.

I've done 51 F1 weekends and Barcelona was by far the most disappointing.

[TheDeuce]

paulguitar said:

shirt said:

Barcelona is a great track to visit though, and it’s a decent circuit to drive. Never been for the f1 but have done several 24H races.

The Madrid layout looks rubbish.

I've done 51 F1 weekends and Barcelona was by far the most disappointing.

Are they still maintaining the popular 'no alcohol' rule...?

[Byker28i]

Bear man has had another solid drive. 25 laps no mistakes, 2 tenths off magnusen

[paulguitar]

TheDeuce said:

paulguitar said:

shirt said:

Barcelona is a great track to visit though, and it’s a decent circuit to drive. Never been for the f1 but have done several 24H races.

The Madrid layout looks rubbish.

I've done 51 F1 weekends and Barcelona was by far the most disappointing.

Are they still maintaining the popular 'no alcohol' rule...?

I went in 2014, that's come in since then as far as I know. Back then we brought our own drinks in on Friday and Saturday, and then on the Sunday, without warning, they employed goons to take everyone's drinks at the gate. We lost some expensive red wine which was extremely annoying.

[TheDeuce]

paulguitar said:

TheDeuce said:

paulguitar said:

shirt said:

Barcelona is a great track to visit though, and it’s a decent circuit to drive. Never been for the f1 but have done several 24H races.

The Madrid layout looks rubbish.

I've done 51 F1 weekends and Barcelona was by far the most disappointing.

Are they still maintaining the popular 'no alcohol' rule...?

I went in 2014, that's come in since then as far as I know. Back then we brought our own drinks in on Friday and Saturday, and then on the Sunday, without warning, they employed goons to take everyone's drinks at the gate. We lost some expensive red wine which was extremely annoying.

That sort of situation makes me so angry, because you can't even argue the fairness of the policy or how thoughtfully it was communicated - you either accept it or turn around and waste your ticket money...

[paulguitar]

TheDeuce said:

paulguitar said:

TheDeuce said:

paulguitar said:

shirt said:

Barcelona is a great track to visit though, and it’s a decent circuit to drive. Never been for the f1 but have done several 24H races.

The Madrid layout looks rubbish.

I've done 51 F1 weekends and Barcelona was by far the most disappointing.

Are they still maintaining the popular 'no alcohol' rule...?

I went in 2014, that's come in since then as far as I know. Back then we brought our own drinks in on Friday and Saturday, and then on the Sunday, without warning, they employed goons to take everyone's drinks at the gate. We lost some expensive red wine which was extremely annoying.

That sort of situation makes me so angry, because you can't even argue the fairness of the policy or how thoughtfully it was communicated - you either accept it or turn around and waste your ticket money...

Exactly, the way it was done really soured the whole weekend. In addition to that, the circuit itself is crap and in the middle of nowhere, from our hotel (admittedly in the south of the city) it was a 90-minute commute each way on public transport. The venue facilities are laughable, it feels like going back 30 years.

[Drew106]

TheDeuce said:

paulguitar said:

TheDeuce said:

paulguitar said:

shirt said:

Barcelona is a great track to visit though, and it’s a decent circuit to drive. Never been for the f1 but have done several 24H races.

The Madrid layout looks rubbish.

I've done 51 F1 weekends and Barcelona was by far the most disappointing.

Are they still maintaining the popular 'no alcohol' rule...?

I went in 2014, that's come in since then as far as I know. Back then we brought our own drinks in on Friday and Saturday, and then on the Sunday, without warning, they employed goons to take everyone's drinks at the gate. We lost some expensive red wine which was extremely annoying.

That sort of situation makes me so angry, because you can't even argue the fairness of the policy or how thoughtfully it was communicated - you either accept it or turn around and waste your ticket money...

Third option... neck it