Where would you go see an F1 Race

Forget about money. Obviously Canada and Texas win that. Where would you go to get the ultimate F1 experience?  Would it be one of the old Europe tracks steeped in history and traditions?  Or one of the new modern tracks like those in the Middle East or yes Texas?  

My wife and I were talking and she put it to me that we should go to a couple of these places in the next couple years. We are not getting any younger and our kids are now in there teens and older so they could come with us with out issue or stay with family or friends if they did not want to make the trip. 

Also something to consider is what is around the track. As we would more than likely make these in to at least a weeks vacation. So the surrounding area to a event is also important unless the event it’s self is so spectacular that it trumps everything else. 

Spa. No question about it. 

We've been to two in Europe- Spa and Monza.  Both have great sights to see near the track, and both have massive history around them.

The one race we still want to go see live is Monaco.  Which will probably happen in retirement.

Other races- possibly Austria, since it's in a great location, based on the pictures you see on TV, and perhaps France- if it works out.

The last race that one may want to see is Silverstone, but it's kind of a pain to get in and out of (I went there in the late 90's for some other racing on a work trip).

Cant speak to any other venue, but did the USGP the year before last.

It was amazing, it was disneyland for car freaks. (be prepared for concessions to cost that way too)  We got grandstand seats at T4, right at the front of the esses.  Prices vary wildly depending on where around the track you sit, if you get seats.  Its nice to have seats to avoid the land rush. They did a number of concerts at the track too, including Usher with The Roots,  and Taylor Swift. 

Wife put the trip together as a surprise for me and did it smart. Got everything set up in January and rented a cabin at Bastrop State Park.   If you are taking a whole family, I recommend it. Especially if you enjoy som quiet.  Only note is make sure you get a parking pass, we ended up driving past the track to go to our bus pickup.  You still have accessibility to Austin, but get a bit of arms length from crazyness.  Honestly, if you were at the track for all the fun there, you wont much need to go anywhere else except for food. You will be tired!   

I have the schedule from the weekend next to me (on back of the track map hanging in my cube at work).

Friday - 10am first F1 practice, 11:55 Masters historic first practice, 2pm 2nd F1 practice, 4pm Porsche supercup practice, 5:15 2nd masters historic practice.

Saturday - 8am F1 pitstop practice, 8:50 masters historic quali, 10am F1 3rd practice, 11:30 Porsche supercup quali, 1pm F1 quali, 3pm first masters historic race, 4pm Porsche 1st race, 7pm taylor swift.

Sunday - 10:35 masters Historic 2nd race, 11:30 prosche 2nd race, 12:30 f1 drivers parade, 12:45 pre race ceremonies, 1:46 natnl anthem, 1:48 flyby, 2-4 F1 USGP,  4-5 fan track invasion, 6pm Usher and the roots. 

Took hearing protection, but ended up not needing it.  Bring sunblock, they provide some, but it ran out. 

If it helps you make a decision...

I went to the Austrian GP in 2002 (scene of the infamous Schumacher/Barrichello last lap pass). Back then at least it was a great, laid-back sort of venue. Sat up on the hillside above the back straight, ate some schnitzel sandwiches, drank some beer. Had sort of a European Lime Rock vibe. Don't know if it's changed since Red Bull took over.

The one I would go to is Spa. I need to see Eau Rouge run live once in my life.

Much as I love watching Monaco on TV, I wouldn't want to go there to spectate. I was there a couple summers ago and walked much of the course - it's so tight, so crowded, so loud (not the cars), and you can see so little from any one vantage point (save perhaps a high balcony facing the harbor) I can't imagine enjoying it. Plus it's overflowing with entitled douche nozzles.

Spoolpigeon said:

Spa. No question about it. 

Absolutely No.1 on my list as well. Not only because of the track, but because of all the other stuff to do in the cities.

Spa would be at the top of the list for me but Monaco isn't very far behind.

Montreal is always a good party. The track itself is boring as can be: all long straights then brake to a crawl for 5 mph hairpins. But it's a fun place to be.

Monaco.  Sitting on a yacht.

z31maniac said:

Spoolpigeon said:

Spa. No question about it. 

Absolutely No.1 on my list as well. Not only because of the track, but because of all the other stuff to do in the cities.

Spa is kind of out in the middle of nowhere.  Spa, the town, is there, but there's not much of one.  The cities are not exactly close by the track.  Whereas Monza is a northern suburb of Milan these days.

But going to see and hear a race at Spa is really, really special.

alfadriver said:

z31maniac said:

Spoolpigeon said:

Spa. No question about it. 

Absolutely No.1 on my list as well. Not only because of the track, but because of all the other stuff to do in the cities.

Spa is kind of out in the middle of nowhere.  Spa, the town, is there, but there's not much of one.  The cities are not exactly close by the track.  Whereas Monza is a northern suburb of Milan these days.

But going to see and hear a race at Spa is really, really special.

Yes, I'm aware. But if I'm traveling to Europe to see an F1 race, you can bet it's going to be a 10-14 day vacation so I can try to visit as much other cool stuff as I can.

Spa. Indy was great as you had several areas where you could see almost half a lap. Monaco is an event more about the people than the cars. It doesn't really appeal to me. 

I've seen F1 races in Indianapolis, Shanghai, Singapore, and Austin.  Of those the Singapore race was simply amazing and the best experience by far. 

I've had the luck to align most of these will international travel for work so the airfare was a non-issue.  The races in Asia are fully subsidized and super cheap ~50/ticket.

My bucket list tracks are Monaco and Spa.

My target this year is Montreal.  I might be able to make Brazil and Mexico happen via work trips so one of those is a stretch target.  Unfortunately those depend on me getting a local colleague to come with and keep me out of trouble.

Road America.   But it'll never happen.

I've been to a few in the US, but given my choice, it would be Monza, simply because, well...Italy.   A side note, my buddy the professional race got to drive Spa a few years back in a Renault and said it was a ton of fun to drive.  I think it was in a Clio Cup car, and even though it was at far less than F1 speeds, enjoyed the track.   

Why not the French GP aat Paul Riccard. It's on the 24th of June, just after the LeMans 24. Double the pleasure, double the fun!

  Spanish Grand Prix, Catalunya ( 41.5638, 2.2585) §13 May14:10•

---Love Spain, Love Spanish food, and I Speak Spanish. Country has lots of diversity, so I could spend time there. Put it on the list.

Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo ( 43.7338, 7.4215) §27 May14:10• Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal ( 45.5034, -73.5267) §10 June19:10•

---Ostentatious wealth is not my thing, and that is all that I think of when I think of Monaco; A Trump in every corner. Better places to be. Nope. Not much racing to be seen either.

French Grand Prix, Paul Ricard ( 43.2517, 5.7935) §24 June15:10•

---France is not a terrible place if you can handle the French. I can Parler the language  sorta but they don't like to work with you if you were not born in their hood.

Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg ( 47.2225, 14.7607) §1 July14:10•

---No insight at all into Austria. I always think of it as Germany's Canada.

British Grand Prix, Silverstone ( 52.0706, -1.0174) §8 July14:10•

----England is not my favourite place. Been a handful of time and leaves me cold. Brits act like they are pretty fed up with all foreigners hence Brexit.  Scotland on the other hand rocks.

German Grand Prix, Hockenheim ( 49.3288, 8.5472) §22 July14:10•

---Be there for the Beer and if they have a race ...bonus.

Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest

----Would go to this one just because I have not been to Hungary. Father in Law is from there and he paints a nice picture. Just exotic enough to know you have traveled.

As an aside...The concept of attending a GP eludes me. There is zero racing to be seen from any vantage point no matter how much you pay. Yes there might be a big screen to watch, but at that point I could be in the hotel room with the TV on.

Sorry, but I disagree with your opinion of the French. I've always had a wonderful time there. In fact, the only people who got on my nerves at the 24 heures were the English. They were total butt heads as a group.

In reply to markwemple :

Had lots of good times in France. Probably where I have spent the most of my Euro time since I did some French  immersion courses at the University of Toulouse.  My point is that linguistically, they would prefer you did not bother to even try.

And French beer is not worth the going. Good thing I am fluent in red wine.

In reply to Apexcarver :

Holy crap.  I was sitting in those grandstands for the USGP the year before last too.

To answer the original question:  For the "experience" I would want to go to Monaco.  For the racing, I'd want to go to Spa.

In reply to NOHOME, the one thing you don't get on TV is how fast these cars really are.  The start is something you can only compare to a Top Fuel launch.  In person it's very impressive, and you can feel the pressure against your chest.  Indycar nor Nascar can compare to the start experience of F1. 

The other thing that sticks out is the braking zone.  Once again that doesn't convey well on TV, but you wonder how they defy physics with such a short braking zone.  If you've ever driven a car on track you'll find yourself pushing the pavement long before they do as you absolutely know they'll be flying off and not making the corner.  

I disagree a bit about the racing.  It depends on what track you go to and where you sit, just like any series you attend.  There is plenty of racing to watch if you're in the right place.  

Monaco. 

I’d get the best spot possible. But once in my life I’d like to go there. The week before is a vintage race. That to me is a can’t miss.  

racerdave600 said:

In reply to NOHOME, the one thing you don't get on TV is how fast these cars really are.   

Seeing an F1 car do Eau Rouge is, well, pretty awesome.  You can't tell that at all on TV.  That is one really steep hill.

Since this is a fantasy, I'll include time travel.    I'd like to go to Monaco back in the 1950s to see Fangio race.  Back then they weren't too concerned about safety either, so you could get right up close to the track, and stand there smoking a cigarette as the cars zipped by inches away.

dean1484 said:

Forget about money. 

Okay.

pushrod36 said:

Monaco.  Sitting on a yacht.

There it is.