Spa

[audi321]

Hi all, not been to Spa before but have the opportunity to travel there this year.

Are the general admission tickets worthwhile? Or is a grandstand one a must?

Any advice on where to stay or eat etc would be greatly received as I'm new to this kind of thing (only been to Silverstone once and that was 20 years ago).

Cheers all.

[davidd]

There are a lot of good viewing spots around the track but you must be prepared to walk, a lot.

Dominos in Spa town for steak

[Jasandjules]

I honestly think this season will be an utter farce with the milk floats running out of power up Eau Rogue then the kemmel straight will be clippity clip clop....

[audi321]

I hear what you're saying about clipping up Eau Rouge, might get a better photo if they're going slower

Thanks for the info so far, I think I'm just going to book Bronze tickets and suck it up, get's quite expensive with a family of 4!

Is there plenty of public transport to the event, or am I looking at another 90€ for parking for the 3 days?

[audi321]

Is the only place to buy tickets the official F1 website? These are a bit cheaper and more availability, and I know I'm probably answering my own question but is it a scam?

www.spagrandprix.com

Edited by audi321 on Tuesday 17th March 22:27

[Sandpit Steve]

audi321 said:

Is the only place to buy tickets the official F1 website? These are a bit cheaper and more availability, and I know I'm probably answering my own question but is it a scam?

www.spagrandprix.com

That’s the official ticket site.

If you go to the circuit’s own website https://www.spa-francorchamps.be/en/events/race/75... and click on ‘tickets’, it takes you to https://www.spagrandprix.com/en/

The F1 website tickets are from their own travel agent, and yes are more expensive!

[garypotter]

I had grandstand seats for last years race weekend opposite the pit exit so could see the first corner to the right and down hill to eau rouge and along the top, great palce to sit BUT you need all weather gear as Sun clear blue sky sunday morning turning to monsoon rain as the race started and the killer for me was.....waiting 4 hours to get out of the field with everyone else no marshalls, no control crazy and with 2 11 year olds NO fun it took 7 hours to get from spa to central Brussells less than 2 hours normally. so will only go again if i am glamping near the circuit

Had a much better expereince at the Monza GP weekend. but enjoy yourself

[gringonuts]

I went to the Belgian GP last year with my 2 kids ( early 20s) and we took my car. I’d been before about 25 years ago and the one thing I insisted on was that we HAD to park in the Red Car Park. The Red car park consists of a very small field in front of the Blanchimont entrance BUT also the dead-end road leading up to it…and you park on the wide verge (having turned around first). The other notable thing about the Red Car Park is that the road (N640) used to be part of the circuit back in the 60s so it’s kind of cool to drive in the wheel tracks of Clark, Stewart et al. To minimize travelling time we stayed in a village in Luxembourg about 45 minutes drive almost directly south of the circuit.
We had Bronze tickets for the 3 days (it was a sprint weekend) and Spa is a circuit where you can walk almost all the way round. We got there very early and spectated at Pouhon, Les Coombs (long walk) and Stavelot on successive days. For race day we decided on Stavelot because we’re quite impatient as a family and hate being stuck in a queue to get out. Stavelot was the nearest place to the exit for a quick getaway…and it worked: we were in our car within 10 minutes of the race ending, slipping past walking pedestrians on our way to Stavelot village and onwards to dinner in Luxembourg 50 minutes later.

So, I’d say that Bronze tickets are well worth it. Spa is one place that lets you take in a camping chair (but not alcohol).
Get there before the gates open.
It’s a big circuit so be prepared to walk a distance.
If you go for more than race day then scope out viewing areas on the days before - it was absolutely rammed on race day and made getting around very painful.Likewise, get your merch early, the queues are massive.
Be prepared for all weathers: sunburnt on Friday, drenched on Sunday.
Don’t believe them when they suggest you stay and eat at the circuit after the racing/quali/practice…they close almost immediately.
Have fun.

My kids have just decided that we’re doing the Barcelona GP this year so any and all advice on doing that gratefully received.