Best European F1 Track to attend a race?
Discussion
Which classic European F1 track do you think gives the best live viewing experience? Suggestions on seating where you might actually witness some overtaking are gladly welcomed. Next year’s Las Vegas night race was the original plan, but all indications are the cost to attend will be wildly extravagant with tickets only available on the secondary market, so I’m starting to think I would enjoy one of the classic venues more and my US $$ might actually go further.
I’ve been to Montreal 3 times, the latest in 2013, and thought about returning. The city does a bang-up job, but maybe it’s time to spread my wings and see another event. Currently thinking about Monza, but I’ll defer to the experts.
I’ve been to Montreal 3 times, the latest in 2013, and thought about returning. The city does a bang-up job, but maybe it’s time to spread my wings and see another event. Currently thinking about Monza, but I’ll defer to the experts.
Monza is brilliant.
You wont see a more passionate crowd
When I went in 2016 raceday was €75 for general admission (non grandstand) . We watched from the Lesmos. Plenty of small bleachers to sit on. Big screen to watch the rest of the action and the F1 app to keep track of any other comings and goings.
It was really easy to get parked. Shuttle bus to and from the car park.
We stayed at Lake Garda (2 houf drive away) made a week of it and drove over to Milan on raceday.
You wont see a more passionate crowd
When I went in 2016 raceday was €75 for general admission (non grandstand) . We watched from the Lesmos. Plenty of small bleachers to sit on. Big screen to watch the rest of the action and the F1 app to keep track of any other comings and goings.
It was really easy to get parked. Shuttle bus to and from the car park.
We stayed at Lake Garda (2 houf drive away) made a week of it and drove over to Milan on raceday.
Edited by sherman on Tuesday 25th October 00:47
Circuit de Catalunya has a lot going for it. Try for one of the grandstands at the end of the start/finish straight, usually a pass or two off the start and plenty during the race. Other benefit of that position is you can see around 2/3 of the circuit from there, also usually a big TV opposite. Easy to get to, fly to either Barcelona or Girona, tons of accomodation in Barcelona and on the Costa Brava, the latter being cheap as it's not in season. I've also done Hockenheim (pre re-forestation) and Spa, both great circuits but you don't get to see as much of the circuit as a spectator, better seen on TV IMHO. Never done Monza , much to my regret.
Of course, you could just go to Le Mans and watch overtaking all day long, and all night for that matter
Of course, you could just go to Le Mans and watch overtaking all day long, and all night for that matter
Just goto Le Mans for the centenary year, it won't happen again and WEC is heading into a golden era. You won't get a better atmosphere at F1 than you do at the start of the 24 hour race and you can spend the practice/qually in the grandstands, with your general admission ticket.
Job done.
Job done.
RobGT81 said:
Just goto Le Mans for the centenary year, it won't happen again and WEC is heading into a golden era. You won't get a better atmosphere at F1 than you do at the start of the 24 hour race and you can spend the practice/qually in the grandstands, with your general admission ticket.
Job done.
Don’t forget the WEC returns to Portimao next year.Job done.
The view from the VIP tower gallery (4 floors up) takes in about 2/3 of the circuit - it is stunning.
Alternatively nIp over for the Algarve Classic this coming weekend, 25C , sunny, great beaches, friendly locals, historic F1/LM cars etc…. why not ??
Excellent feedback - thanks! I always thought Le Mans would be memorable, but I'm pretty out of touch with what's going on in WEC these days.
I'm a little surprised that no one mentioned Silverstone? Always a great show on the tube, but I've heard getting to & from the track can be a challenge. The suggestion for Circuit de Catalunya and the ability to see 2/3 of the track from the end of the main straight definitely has my attention.
I'm a little surprised that no one mentioned Silverstone? Always a great show on the tube, but I've heard getting to & from the track can be a challenge. The suggestion for Circuit de Catalunya and the ability to see 2/3 of the track from the end of the main straight definitely has my attention.
After this years event I'd advise anyone to give Monza a miss next year, or at least until they sort themselves out. If you want to watch the race you'll need to get a decent grandstand seat, general admission just won't cut it. The facilities where the poorest I've seen in Europe, a complete lack of catering, they used a stupid token system, even free water during what was a very hot weekend wasn't easily available. It took ages to get to the entrance due to train strikes and then getting into the site took almost an hour in unshaded queues, so we missed all the support races in the morning. The General Admission was over-sold by a large amount, to the point it was unsafe... have a look at the feedback on Trip Advisor. it will give you an idea of what to expect next year.
We stayed at Como, great place, though we found trains running to the Biassono-lesmo entrance (which avoids the Monza bus service and long walk) only run from Milan on race day.
Hungary on the other hand is brilliant, great for a lower budget and the food and drink is even reasonably priced.
We stayed at Como, great place, though we found trains running to the Biassono-lesmo entrance (which avoids the Monza bus service and long walk) only run from Milan on race day.
Hungary on the other hand is brilliant, great for a lower budget and the food and drink is even reasonably priced.
Hungary is nice, lots to do in Budapest and it’s quite a cheap race to attend. Good grandstands are under £200
Barcelona has cheap flights from most UK airports and like Budapest, is a great city to visit.
Spa is an epic place to watch any motor racing and GA is best value for money in Europe, you get some brilliant viewing locations if you’re prepared to walk…. might rain though…
Monaco isn’t as expensive as you’d think, stay in Nice, train in, you’ll need a grandstand though but the atmosphere is electric. lots to do, Cannes is less than 10 euros on the train for example.
I’d avoid Zandvoot and Austria because of the Orange Army morons personally.
Reports from Monza this year sounded horrendous, abuse and harassment in the stands, that token thing for food and drink, chaotic organisation and major queues. No thanks.
No idea about Imola, never been.
And that’s it, no French GP, no German GP, just s
tty street circuits sold to the highest bidder.
Wherever you choose, buy tickets from the circuits website, they are way to find and there is just way too much risk buying from anywhere else.
Barcelona has cheap flights from most UK airports and like Budapest, is a great city to visit.
Spa is an epic place to watch any motor racing and GA is best value for money in Europe, you get some brilliant viewing locations if you’re prepared to walk…. might rain though…
Monaco isn’t as expensive as you’d think, stay in Nice, train in, you’ll need a grandstand though but the atmosphere is electric. lots to do, Cannes is less than 10 euros on the train for example.
I’d avoid Zandvoot and Austria because of the Orange Army morons personally.
Reports from Monza this year sounded horrendous, abuse and harassment in the stands, that token thing for food and drink, chaotic organisation and major queues. No thanks.
No idea about Imola, never been.
And that’s it, no French GP, no German GP, just s
tty street circuits sold to the highest bidder.Wherever you choose, buy tickets from the circuits website, they are way to find and there is just way too much risk buying from anywhere else.
Been to Austria quite a few times, still one of the nicest circuits where you can see almost 4/5ths of the track from lots of tribunes, wonderful setting and locals are genuinely nice people, good food and drink at the restaurants as well!
Can't say anything about the orange army though
Can't say anything about the orange army though
Mellow Yellow said:
Circuit de Catalunya has a lot going for it. Try for one of the grandstands at the end of the start/finish straight, usually a pass or two off the start and plenty during the race. Other benefit of that position is you can see around 2/3 of the circuit from there, also usually a big TV opposite. Easy to get to, fly to either Barcelona or Girona, tons of accomodation in Barcelona and on the Costa Brava, the latter being cheap as it's not in season. I've also done Hockenheim (pre re-forestation) and Spa, both great circuits but you don't get to see as much of the circuit as a spectator, better seen on TV IMHO. Never done Monza , much to my regret.
Of course, you could just go to Le Mans and watch overtaking all day long, and all night for that matter
i was going to type pretty much what you wrote re: barca. great circuit for spectating. turn 13 also affords a great viewpoint. easy circuit to get to, normally decent weather and great f&b/hotel options for all budgets. Of course, you could just go to Le Mans and watch overtaking all day long, and all night for that matter
shame about monza comments, i was hoping to do an italian race next season. imola would be great but i've been there for a casual visit and it struck me as being a nightmare to get in/out of during an f1 weekend.
shirt said:
imola would be great but i've been there for a casual visit and it struck me as being a nightmare to get in/out of during an f1 weekend.
That seems to be the case for most circuits ,I've also been to Imola on smaller meets and it's on the edge of the city with small access roads .Misano and especially Mugello are nightmares to leave on Moto GP finish time .
There must be less tickets for Imola F1 as there just isn't as much viewing area.
Tosa to Acqua Minerale is off limits as it's all heavily wooded .
Panda nero said:
That seems to be the case for most circuits ,I've also been to Imola on smaller meets and it's on the edge of the city with small access roads .
Misano and especially Mugello are nightmares to leave on Moto GP finish time .
There must be less tickets for Imola F1 as there just isn't as much viewing area.
Tosa to Acqua Minerale is off limits as it's all heavily wooded .
I’ve been to misano, thought it was ok but then think we lucked in with parking. Misano and especially Mugello are nightmares to leave on Moto GP finish time .
There must be less tickets for Imola F1 as there just isn't as much viewing area.
Tosa to Acqua Minerale is off limits as it's all heavily wooded .
Looking at the calendar there’s not many that appeal, may join in with previous suggestion of Le Mans centenary instead.
shirt said:
I’ve been to misano, thought it was ok but then think we lucked in with parking.
Looking at the calendar there’s not many that appeal, may join in with previous suggestion of Le Mans centenary instead.
To speed things up at the thankfully not too far away motorway toll ,they have people handing out the tickets rather than the wait for the machine and barrier to open .Looking at the calendar there’s not many that appeal, may join in with previous suggestion of Le Mans centenary instead.
Speeds things along a little bit .
That was Misano .
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