What is Monaco GP like? Worth it?

[R1 Indy]

Planning bit of a road trip/ holiday for mid next year. I'm bit of a F1 fan, and having never been to a F1 weekend would love to be able to mix one into road trip.

I was thinking of Spa or Monza, but they are not till the end of the year, so thought what about Monaco in May?

I spent a day in Monaco years ago when I was about 15, from what I can remember it was a lovely place.

So my plan would be to drive down to Nice or somewhere and camp, then train into Monaco. Then after the weekend drive up through Switzerland etc into Germany and visit the nurburgring for the first time aswell before returning home, and hopefully find some nice places to visit on the way

Now I know Monaco won't be cheap, tickets along will be over £500! Thinking of the lower tribune just before la rascasse?

So is the atmosphere etc there worth it? Will I get to see much of the track from there?

So anyone who has been got any advice before I get too far into booking this?

Cheers

[Vaud]

Expensive but fun. Stay in Nice, train in. Tickets - whatever you can afford. Stay the full weekend so that you can walk the track have drinks etc on the track after quali. Monaco is unique but insane.

I think Monza is better value (and not that late, it's only early Sept, Spa just before) and both have a more pure, passionate but different atmosphere compared to Monaco. Not better or worse, just different.

For Spa I'd hire a motorhome and spend a week...

[James_N]

I enjoyed Monaco this year. Was in tribune K3 high. We also stayed in Nice. Was my first F1 race so certainly an experience.

The trains from Nice to Monaco were horrific though. Really really bad, despite the extra trains that were running. Obviously its to be expected, but its still worse than I thought it would be. Not easy being disabled, but I managed.

Nice to go once for the experience, but probably won't bother again.

[hilly10]

I think Monaco is the one I would like to do,such an iconic race. I know a few guys who have been and say it's the best one .

[R1 Indy]

Cheers guys, the more I think about it, the more I want to do this while I can

Think I will need to buy tickets ASAP though before they sell out, wondering if anyone can give any advice on which is best?



The following are still available:

K £445
L high £445
M £445
O high £445
T high £445
A1 £417
P £324
T low £324

This is just Sunday tickets! But I'm thinking £120 is nothing compared to the whole cost so I might aswell go for a good Sunday seat? And probably go for a cheaper practice and qualifying seat?

So can anyone give me any advice?

Cheers

[eps]

We did B, C then A1 (Thur, Sat Sun). Which was great.

If you're not tied to staying in Nice, you can always stay on the other side of Monaco, which should be a lot quieter.

[rix]

Thinking of doing this on the cheap next year so bookmarking this thread. Grateful of any guides etc

[marshalla]

Go 2 weeks earlier for the Historic weekend. Lower prices, more racing, fewer tourists and better access to the paddock.

[rottie102]

R1 Indy said:

So can anyone give me any advice?

Cheers

Sure, Rocher is where the real fans watch the GP from... Spend the rest on beer

[Manchestergas]

Been there twice, £500 tickets to sit on a chair so close you only see 20-100metres of track? I don't think so.
The best seats in the house are on Roche up in the trees sat on soil. Race day ticket £70 (2008-2010) small stubby cans of Heineken for sale all over the place for 2.5 euro and nice French baggets with ham and cheese 3 euro.

The drivers come and wave at the hill crowd. The man with the tanoy will be shouting ( he's been there 13years doing it)
If your clever you'll ditch the stubbys in favour of a couple of nice red wines as going to the loo can be some what of a nightmare. What ever you do, I would venture back in to Moniaco on race night as the party on track is out of this world.
Larasgas# corner is fantastic.

We had a set 3 course meal both years at the same place on race night.
£50, fillet steak and it must have been half decent as jacque villeneurve came in and had the same meal sat on the table across the way.

The casino on race night, oh my eyes the cars!
£200 minimum chip purchase,
Lost it on one spin.
At least I can say I have done it!

You will love it, just don't go back a second time as it won't be as good as the first time.

[Harry H]

And the run home via the Route des Grand Alps will be without doubt one of the greatest drives of your life. Did the Monaco bit myself many years back in a Jag XJR. Quick motorway run down, stayed in Nice, train in for the race itself, lost a grand in twenty minutes in the casino then hoofed it back across the alps.

And the thing I remember most. The noise. The sound of all those F1 cars echoing off the buildings. Not as loud as the Mrs screaming on the hair pins on the way home but somewhat more melodious.

Edited by Harry H on Monday 11th November 14:03

[R1 Indy]

Cheers guys, we'll I ended up accidentally spending over £700 on tickets

Practice at B
Qualifying at P
And race at L High

Possibly should have just gone to rocha, but thought I might aswell go for it after the expence of the fuel getting down there etc.

As for route, I've booked 2 weeks off work, so will be making a holiday of it, looks like I will be camping just left of Cannes, and train into Monaco. Then Monday after race, head up into Switzerland, visit Swiss alps etc. also thinking of doing a 700 ft bungee jump off the Verzasca dam ( always wanted to do a bungee jump)

Then head up into Germany, and visit the nurburgring before heading home.

Absolutely can't wait I haven't been on holiday since 15, and I'm 24 now!!

[eps]

Excellent! You won't regret B for Practice, it should have a big screen opposite as well.

[lumpystew]

Our Balcony - Gotta be the best view for the GP. We are doing the same for 2014 as well if any of you wanna join us.

[lumpystew]

Me and the Mrs Lumpy having a chat with Ron Dennis after the race - He wasnt in the best mood about the race but a really lovely guy and stayed and chatted with us for about 20 minutes - His missus was hot hot hot unfortunately for us we had to have somebody take the photo so she was It.

[lumpystew]

Dont think you can get any closer to the action except if your in the hot seat.

[lumpystew]

Our apartment right on the action.

[North West Tom]

lumpystew said:

Our apartment right on the action.

Could you PM me details please?

[lumpystew]

Mrs lumpy misinterpreted the phrase Lucky F1 WAG for an F1 Lackys WAG.

[lumpystew]

Had some proper fun driving home on the Monday after the GP racing the Gumball crew through France at 170mph + on super smooth empty French Roads and pipping at all the F1 team trucks and them blasting the airhorn back at us - we wer just like teenagers again - roll on 2014 when the GT3 arrives hopefully.