Going to watch the F1 at Silverstone for the first time
Discussion
Hey guys,
I am 30 at the start of next month and my wife has just asked me if I wanted tickets to the F1 in June.....gee let me think!
Now she isn't a big fan on camping so it will be a hotel/B&B affair. Any ideas on good ones around the area? I don't mind driving to and from the park and ride so anything up to 3/4 of an hour away wouldn't bother me.
As for tickets it will be for the 3 days, is it worth getting grandstand seats for the Sunday? My thoughts are we would probably end up walking about on the Friday and Saturday so don't need them then. I am concerned as she is only 5ft 2" she wont be able to see much in the crowd so to speak.
Thoughts from you F1 vets would be fantastic.
Cheers
Dave
I am 30 at the start of next month and my wife has just asked me if I wanted tickets to the F1 in June.....gee let me think!
Now she isn't a big fan on camping so it will be a hotel/B&B affair. Any ideas on good ones around the area? I don't mind driving to and from the park and ride so anything up to 3/4 of an hour away wouldn't bother me.
As for tickets it will be for the 3 days, is it worth getting grandstand seats for the Sunday? My thoughts are we would probably end up walking about on the Friday and Saturday so don't need them then. I am concerned as she is only 5ft 2" she wont be able to see much in the crowd so to speak.
Thoughts from you F1 vets would be fantastic.
Cheers
Dave
We've always stayed in a Holiday Inn around 30-40 minutes away for £30 a night. Not bad compared to some local places who triple the prices for that weekend.
Walking about is ok on the Friday but on Sunday you have to get there first thing for a decent general admission seat. Don't forget whatever band your grandstand ticket is means on Saturday you get to watch from any stand in band.
We've watched from the pit straight which gives you the start/finish of the race and pit action and we sat at luffield and got to watch Webber/Alonso dicing it out as they entered the complex in 2011.
If you do go for a grandstand make sure its covered. We live in England. It's either blazing sun or pissing down wet.
Walking about is ok on the Friday but on Sunday you have to get there first thing for a decent general admission seat. Don't forget whatever band your grandstand ticket is means on Saturday you get to watch from any stand in band.
We've watched from the pit straight which gives you the start/finish of the race and pit action and we sat at luffield and got to watch Webber/Alonso dicing it out as they entered the complex in 2011.
If you do go for a grandstand make sure its covered. We live in England. It's either blazing sun or pissing down wet.
Edited by Luffehamp on Tuesday 7th January 00:07
I live in MK, about 40-ish mins from the circuit.
The hotels, even here, are all rammed for GP weekend so book early.
Whenever I've been, I've driven. Get up early and get over there pre-8am and it's not too bad.
Friday - generally clear, drive straight in
Saturday - busier but still OK
Sunday - very busy, queues to get in but not as bad as the old days.
The above is if it's dry, naturally.
Regarding grandstand I'd say to get a 3 day ticket.
Fridays, the grandstands are open anyway IINM, so you can pick and choose. This may have changed however.
Saturday you'll be wanting grandstand to get a good view and be able to roam around the track
Sunday you'll definitely want grandstand unless you want to get there at 5am and be restricted to one spot without moving. The crowds in general admission are 5-10 deep in the good spots.
Getting out is nuts but it's to be expected with 100k people all leaving at once. I'd stay for the concert (if there still is one) if you're in no hurry and leave during that.
The hotels, even here, are all rammed for GP weekend so book early.
Whenever I've been, I've driven. Get up early and get over there pre-8am and it's not too bad.
Friday - generally clear, drive straight in
Saturday - busier but still OK
Sunday - very busy, queues to get in but not as bad as the old days.
The above is if it's dry, naturally.
Regarding grandstand I'd say to get a 3 day ticket.
Fridays, the grandstands are open anyway IINM, so you can pick and choose. This may have changed however.
Saturday you'll be wanting grandstand to get a good view and be able to roam around the track
Sunday you'll definitely want grandstand unless you want to get there at 5am and be restricted to one spot without moving. The crowds in general admission are 5-10 deep in the good spots.
Getting out is nuts but it's to be expected with 100k people all leaving at once. I'd stay for the concert (if there still is one) if you're in no hurry and leave during that.
Still rooms available at Travelodge Silverstone
and some holiday inns
Or have a gander here
I tried Marriott and Hilton and, although the prices were better in some cases that the above hotels, the distance would probably put you off.
Hope this helps.
And yes,
I am jealous - enjoy!!
Scott
and some holiday inns
Or have a gander here
I tried Marriott and Hilton and, although the prices were better in some cases that the above hotels, the distance would probably put you off.
Hope this helps.
And yes,
I am jealous - enjoy!!
Scott
I'd go grandstand for a more relaxed feel to the Sunday, no pressure to grab a good spot.
Had grandstand seats for Monza . Got to the stand and seats about 30 mins before race start, spent the morning mooching about at the drives entrance.
So much better knowing you already have a spot to wander to later.
Toilet break, your spot is still there, fancy a snack or a beer before the race, your spot is still there.
Had grandstand seats for Monza . Got to the stand and seats about 30 mins before race start, spent the morning mooching about at the drives entrance.
So much better knowing you already have a spot to wander to later.
Toilet break, your spot is still there, fancy a snack or a beer before the race, your spot is still there.
Best grandstand for Silverstone? If you ask 10 people the best place to sit for race day then expect 10 different answers, but I think majority will agree walk around Friday and Sat morning, international pit straight for Quali but get there early.
Be prepared as the only weather I haven't experienced during the BGP is snow!
For me I would be sitting at Club corner as near the pit straight as possible as you see the cars coming out of Stowe, down Vale, around Club, up the pit straight and off to Abbey. You have a Podium right in front of you, can see all the Grid action and you have a screen in front of you. Then again I refuse to pay the greedy
s at Silverstone £400 for a ticket.
It is something that needs to be experienced at least once.
Be prepared as the only weather I haven't experienced during the BGP is snow!
For me I would be sitting at Club corner as near the pit straight as possible as you see the cars coming out of Stowe, down Vale, around Club, up the pit straight and off to Abbey. You have a Podium right in front of you, can see all the Grid action and you have a screen in front of you. Then again I refuse to pay the greedy
s at Silverstone £400 for a ticket.It is something that needs to be experienced at least once.
Sir Bagalot said:
For me I would be sitting at Club corner as near the pit straight as possible as you see the cars coming out of Stowe, down Vale, around Club, up the pit straight and off to Abbey. You have a Podium right in front of you, can see all the Grid action and you have a screen in front of you.
Ditto 
tobinen said:
We were at Stowe last year. Good view of the cars coming down the straight and braking for Stowe, then off down to Vale.
Don't rule out camping - we had a great time at Woodlands. Plenty of showers and loos, entertainment, BBQs, bring all your own booze!
She is warming to the idea of camping, I have a load of camping gear so wouldnt be an issue for us. Her main worry is lack of loos and showers, I did tell her the demand for womens facilities is likly to be less than the mens. Don't rule out camping - we had a great time at Woodlands. Plenty of showers and loos, entertainment, BBQs, bring all your own booze!
Daston said:
She is warming to the idea of camping, I have a load of camping gear so wouldnt be an issue for us. Her main worry is lack of loos and showers, I did tell her the demand for womens facilities is likly to be less than the mens.
Most of my camping experiences (never a bad one!!) have been at Whittlebury Park:Brick built shower and toilet blocks (as well as the usual porta...)
Electric hookup
A couple of bars and a restaurant usually open for F1 w/end
Large marquee with bar and entertainment
Red Bull tyre change competition (the odd special guests)
Walking distance to the gates at Copse or Becketts
You do pay more than the more 'basic' sites but I prefer to pay that extra.
Their site usually lists the facilities available - if not drop them an email, they are extemely helpful people!!
HTH
Scott
I always used to camp at the SRA site down in the village. I haven't been for a couple of years now. The last time I attended, I camped at the Woodland site, at the circuit. Eddie Jordan and his band V12 played on the Saturday night. It was brilliant. As for seating etc. I'd always have to say get to Maggots / Becketts, and watch them go through the chicane. I have no idea what the new turbo engines are going to sound like, and what the volume will be like, but the v12's, V10's, and V8's were massively loud, so probably best to bring some decent ear defenders with you. My preferred grandstand was always either Copse C, or somewhere down at Stowe. I don't like the new layout much, but the last year I went, I was in the new stand opposite the Wing / pit lane. I hope you enjoy your experience.
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