F1 Travel Advice

GalwayGunner

Looking to head to one of the races this year - are there any Tour Operators which you guys would recommend?

ShatterProof

Like Galwayrunner would be interested in any advice.

My 2 Sons want to go to the Dutch grand prix this year and I would be clueless when it comes to how F1 works.

Is a package the way to go?

I see i can buy 2 day tickets for a grandstand on https://tickets.formula1.com/ . ( about €350 per ticket)

For events like this do i assume transport to and from accommodation ( say Amsterdam) shouldn't be a problem and special trains/buses are normally laid on. Should I look for local accommodation. Has anyone ever been?

Would I be better off looking at a different race ? They are of course Verstappen fans so thats why they picked the dutch one.

Thanks.

christy c

I've been at a few races, have always booked tickets/hotels/etc. myself.

Have not been to the Dutch GP but I find the website f1destinations very good. I think the guy that runs it is Hungarian, and has replied to private messages I sent in the past when I had more queries. He has a good bit of info on the Netherlands and it looks like staying in Amsterdam should be no issue:

https://f1destinations.com/netherlands-f1-travel-guide/

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about the race in Imola. Looks like there were no General Admission tickets on sale but I can't see that they'll definitely be on sale.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118781999#Comment_118781999

What's the handiest way to contact that guy?

christy c

@[Deleted User] He replied to me on Facebook private message. Page is called F1 destinations

Cheers!

He got back really quick, that was a great help! :D Thanks again

christy c

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118889783#Comment_118889783

Yeah he's a sound guy.

christy c

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118889066#Comment_118889066

I presume that is what you were asking the guy about, I see they are on sale now

Yup he gave me a nudge this morning when they went on sale as well.

Got everything booked now for Imola, flights are a bit awkward but I don't mind driving through picturesque countryside. :D

Gamb!t

Has anyone been to the Monza GP and any recommendations for a good spot and place to stay?

Mrtm17

Going to the Spanish gp in a few days first race can't wait.have a general admission ticket.anybody any tips?

Mr shmar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119073589#Comment_119073589

What kind of tips would you be hoping for? I might be able to make a suggestion or two

Mr shmar

Assuming you mean just any general tips for getting there and once there what to expect, I'd recommend giving yourself plenty of time to get to the track on the day. I've never been to the track in Barcelona but based on experiences at other tracks the whole area will just be a huge carpark/traffic jam so you might end you walking the last bit of the way.

Some reviews/info here although it is a from a few years back:

https://www.racefans.net/f1-information/going-to-a-race/circuit-de-catalunya-barcelona-spain/

Getting there early gives the benefit of ensuring you get a good spot for yourself as general admission is a bit of a free for in a good way. I've been to races where I have literally changes spots mid race to get different parts of the track in- ideally you might have a certain area of the track in mind that you would like to get to and you can just head there. If I was going I would probably head for the the second chicane/turns 7 and 8, but as I said you will be able to just walk around and see for yourself once your there.

You might also be able to cross the bridge between turn 5 and 6 which would get you to the inside of the first chicane but it doesn't seem to be included in the general admission section here, but as I said, if you get there early you could walk over and see.

kinney

I wish I could visit at least one this year.

Mrtm17

Thanks for the tips had a great day today was boiling hot and was in a few stands today and for practice 2 we were in the main stand some craic

MadYaker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119091844#Comment_119091844

Did you buy tickets for a grandstand? We did but the view from GA is better and we can’t have an umbrella in the stand because it’ll block the view of everyone behind us. Were going to head in about 2 hours before quali and just take whatever spot we can get and then tomorrow we’re going in super early, aiming to be there before 7am to get a good spot, stick it out for the day with plenty of water and hopefully we don’t get heatstroke.

sam t smith

I think Budapest was worse than Barcelona for the heat.

I envy you, I was at the 2016 Spanish GP for Max’s first win, although I was rooting for Vettel and Kimi that day.

MadYaker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119092959#Comment_119092959

To be honest you’re better off watching it on tv if it’s going to be 35 degrees plus, it’s work being out in that kind of heat all day. Or else you pay thousands for paddock club and get a nice air conditioned viewing box above the pits.

flazio

I was in Barcelona way back in 1999. Before even Alonso started so a lot would have changed since then. Myself and my dad found a great standing spot at the start of the main straight as the cars were coming out of the final corner. We could see the TV screen for the main stand, the back markers on the grid and experience the v10 revs of the start. The windows above the first 2 or 3 pit slots are slanted so we actually got a cool overhead reflection of some pitstops as well. 99 Spain is in the history books as the most boring race of the season but I had a great time.

MadYaker

This has to be one of the most poorly organised mainstream events I’ve ever attended. At the track there isn’t half enough toilets or food places. It’s 36 degrees and if you don’t bring your own water and food you’re queuing in the baking sun for 2 and a half hours. Luckily we did but there should be water fountains at the very least and I don’t know why they can’t bring in loads of food trucks like Spanish music festivals do.

Outside out the track there are no police or stewards organising anything so it’s just total chaos. People parking wherever they like blocking roads and entrances to carparks, it can take up to 3 hours or more to get out of the carpark. Yesterday in the bus park none of the busses could move because tens of thousands of people were streaming out of a gate through the bus park blocking them all in. I saw an old woman almost get hit by a car.

It feels like an event catered for the rich and famous and the rest of us are just there to make up the numbers and keep it profitable so the party can continue for the people who can afford to get into corporate boxes and the paddock club. It’ll be the last gp Ill attend, better off watching on tv.

JeffKenna

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119096347#Comment_119096347

Thanks for that. Often thought of going to a GP but that doesn't seem enjoyable at all so don't think I will.

Have to admit I'm surprised to hear that. Spain apparently gets one of the better reviews from fans and it's been in the same place so long I figured they'd have it down to a T.

MadYaker

I think it might be staffing issues like a lot of places are having after covid. One good thing is the cheap tickets actually offer the best views of the track and you’re free to move around all over the place so even if you show up late you can get a good spot with a decent view. It’s also a bit of a heatwave here at the moment it’s normally temps in high 20s not mid to high 30s. We’re still glad we’ve come but we won’t be doing another. It’s not a cheap trip.

MadYaker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119096360#Comment_119096360

I wouldn’t write them all off just because Barcelona is a bit of a sh!t show. I’d imagine silverstone would be better organised. Spain is a bit chaotic in general. If you’re into F1 and you’ve never done it it’s definitely worth doing once. On the way back to the track now, hopefully race day will be better.

I hope the heat isn't clouding your mood. 🤣 I was hoping to go to a few more races but they're long, long days to be mostly on your feet or sitting on the grass and after the state I was in after 1 race I didn't think I'm fit for another one right now, unless there's super-cheap grandstand tickets.

Imola was pretty well organised from what I could see. Italy is a bit of a pain sometimes but they went old school and just had stewards to deal with simple stuff. Didn't have to pre-book or download an app or sign up for parking, just give someone a tenner and they give the ticket to stick on your dash.

I landed down on the Friday, came via the road in the bottom left corner, no plan. Saw some people working and cops just when I reached the little roundabout. They pointed me to the top left, cross a narrow bridge then a road was made one-way so a lane was used for parking. 2 minute walk back across the bridge and straight in at Tosa. Parked there the next day, had to go a bit further out on the Sunday but meant I had a 5 minute spin to the Motorway then. :D Maybe well-organised isn't the exact right word but it was easy-going and flowing for the most part.

JeffKenna

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119096459#Comment_119096459

Hopefully it cools down a bit for you, am in Lanzorate at the moment and it seems a few degrees cooler today so fingers crossed it's the same in Barcelona.

sam t smith

Has anyone gone further afield than the European races?

I was at the Japanese GP a while back, that and Belgium probably my favourites out of the races I’ve gone to.

I’d like to go to the Canadian GP next. Maybe next season, assuming monkeypox isn’t rampant. 🙈

Missed the first Dutch GP due to Covid cancellation. Will try for that again also.

ebayissues

Hi All, can anyone recommend sites to book Abu dhabi grand prix this year? I'd be doing for 10 days or so.

Sunny Dayz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119141246#Comment_119141246

We booked our GP trip through Cassidy Travel.