Attending F1 races as non-gearheads with a 4-year old. Advice?
March 27, 2015 6:05 AM Subscribe
We happen to have somewhat recently moved near enough the UK F1 track (Silverstone) that it's feasible to attend a race. We enjoy, but don't actively follow racing, and our kid's really into Cars (Disney), so we thought it might be a fun day out. But the ticketing options are confusing for this casual fan. Help?
I get that it's a full weekend event, and from what I can tell (and as indicated by the pricing) the main event happens on the Sunday? If we just got general admission tickets, what's our likelihood of seeing something interesting? Keeping in mind that our rambunctious kiddo is unlikely to sit still in a grandstand for the duration of a whole race anyhow.
And then what actually goes on Saturday?
Anything else we should know?
I get that it's a full weekend event, and from what I can tell (and as indicated by the pricing) the main event happens on the Sunday? If we just got general admission tickets, what's our likelihood of seeing something interesting? Keeping in mind that our rambunctious kiddo is unlikely to sit still in a grandstand for the duration of a whole race anyhow.
And then what actually goes on Saturday?
Anything else we should know?
Best answer: If you are not actually that interested in the race itself (which, frankly, is easier to follow on the TV anyway) then Friday is the best day. There are two free practice sessions for F1 (so lots of track time), lots of support race test/practice/qualifying sessions and you will see a lot of cars on a superb F1 track from lots of different places because the crowds will be smaller. The only thing you get on a race day (as a casual, not that interested spectator) is cars together and maybe a pass or two from your chosen spot that matters. But you will see cars passing and traffic/cars going fast on all three days. Getting closer to the action and more choice of viewing position trumps actual race passes, to me, by some margin.
Saturday is similar in terms of track time (one free practice session and qualifying), but much busier with crowds and qualifying is interesting if you're into it, but if you're not actually an F1 fan and haven't seen these cars up close then there is more than enough to interest and excite you. Sunday will be insane for crowds and you will see not very much at all if you don't have a good spot and it doesn't encourage or much reward moving around.
When I use to go to Grand Prix races (on the few times I wasn't working in the support series) I'd always go on the Friday. I'd always hop over the fence anyway (I used to live local to Silverstone and worked for a team on the grounds at one point) and not pay at all, but that was always easier on practice days, but that's neither here nor there...
I would go to the places that were most interesting (the inside/exit of the fastest corners, close to the heavy braking zones etc) to see as much of the dynamics of the cars themselves. If it is quieter you can see the track from all over, rather than just being stuck in one place (which happens if you struggle to find a good spot - you can't leave it). Until you have seen an F1 car going around a corner at top speed, nothing prepares you for it. It's not quite the staggering sensation it used to be with the loud engines, but it is still utterly mind blowing how fast they are. Seeing the support races and how slow they look by comparison is a big part of that appreciation.
So if it were me, Friday as first choice, Saturday as second choice. I just wouldn't go on Sunday, I'd watch it on TV. You won't get into a grandstand without a ticket on the weekend days (You MIGHT on a friday if you are very lucky and are only there for a little while). If I were you I'd make sure you had some kind of wheeled device for Junior (there will be a LOT of walking) and go on the quietest day and move around. Make sure you see the following places if you do move around:
Find the places where you can get as close as possible to the track. If the cars are turning away from you at that point, that's a great perspective.
Entrance and exit of Stowe corner. FAST.
Watch the cars going through Becketts complex. Be aware that they are going really fast and seeing 3-4g of cornering forces in each direction in quick succession.
Turn 14 entry - the cars will be going very fast indeed and under heavy braking. If you are alongside them you will see glowing carbon brake discs which may delight junior to watch for them. Bright orange circles appearing and disappearing inside the wheels is good stuff...
I am not at all current on which gates to choose as I haven't been to Silverstone in years, but it was always historically easier to park on the south side of the track, but that may not at all be relevant now. Looking at parking prices I'd struggle to consider anything other than the Park and Ride from the M1. Seriously expensive.
posted by Brockles at 6:45 AM on March 27, 2015 [11 favorites]
Saturday is similar in terms of track time (one free practice session and qualifying), but much busier with crowds and qualifying is interesting if you're into it, but if you're not actually an F1 fan and haven't seen these cars up close then there is more than enough to interest and excite you. Sunday will be insane for crowds and you will see not very much at all if you don't have a good spot and it doesn't encourage or much reward moving around.
When I use to go to Grand Prix races (on the few times I wasn't working in the support series) I'd always go on the Friday. I'd always hop over the fence anyway (I used to live local to Silverstone and worked for a team on the grounds at one point) and not pay at all, but that was always easier on practice days, but that's neither here nor there...
I would go to the places that were most interesting (the inside/exit of the fastest corners, close to the heavy braking zones etc) to see as much of the dynamics of the cars themselves. If it is quieter you can see the track from all over, rather than just being stuck in one place (which happens if you struggle to find a good spot - you can't leave it). Until you have seen an F1 car going around a corner at top speed, nothing prepares you for it. It's not quite the staggering sensation it used to be with the loud engines, but it is still utterly mind blowing how fast they are. Seeing the support races and how slow they look by comparison is a big part of that appreciation.
So if it were me, Friday as first choice, Saturday as second choice. I just wouldn't go on Sunday, I'd watch it on TV. You won't get into a grandstand without a ticket on the weekend days (You MIGHT on a friday if you are very lucky and are only there for a little while). If I were you I'd make sure you had some kind of wheeled device for Junior (there will be a LOT of walking) and go on the quietest day and move around. Make sure you see the following places if you do move around:
Find the places where you can get as close as possible to the track. If the cars are turning away from you at that point, that's a great perspective.
Entrance and exit of Stowe corner. FAST.
Watch the cars going through Becketts complex. Be aware that they are going really fast and seeing 3-4g of cornering forces in each direction in quick succession.
Turn 14 entry - the cars will be going very fast indeed and under heavy braking. If you are alongside them you will see glowing carbon brake discs which may delight junior to watch for them. Bright orange circles appearing and disappearing inside the wheels is good stuff...
I am not at all current on which gates to choose as I haven't been to Silverstone in years, but it was always historically easier to park on the south side of the track, but that may not at all be relevant now. Looking at parking prices I'd struggle to consider anything other than the Park and Ride from the M1. Seriously expensive.
posted by Brockles at 6:45 AM on March 27, 2015 [11 favorites]
I haven't been to Silverstone either, but have done other F1 races and yeah, general admission is the way to go. Getting there early and staking out a spot is a good idea. Then you can just plant yourself in one spot and not have to deal too much with others jockeying for space.
And this is probably obvious, but you'll definitely want to take some hearing protection. The cars are really loud.
Have fun! F1 races are fantastic!
posted by Fiorentina97 at 6:46 AM on March 27, 2015
And this is probably obvious, but you'll definitely want to take some hearing protection. The cars are really loud.
Have fun! F1 races are fantastic!
posted by Fiorentina97 at 6:46 AM on March 27, 2015
F1 cars are extremely loud. We sat at a corner and the noise of the cars accelerating out of the corner was painful without ear protection. Bring plugs or muffs for you and the kid.
posted by LoveHam at 6:49 AM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by LoveHam at 6:49 AM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Bring earplugs or noise cancelling headphones for your son. Races are NOISY!
on preview: jinx LoveHam
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:50 AM on March 27, 2015
on preview: jinx LoveHam
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:50 AM on March 27, 2015
F1 cars are not loud and have not been since 2013. The GP2 cars are louder and you can stand on pit wall with them going around and you maybe (an adult) need to block your ears if they are within 20-30 feet of you. You will not be within 10 x of that at Silverstone. So I think a 4 year old in general access areas will be fine, but ear plugs are probably a good precaution.
GP2 noise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyKHtaWLxiQ
They are fairly loud, but 'earplugs are fine' loud not 'OMG YOU NEED EAR DEFENDERS' loud. Especially at Silverstone when you are in a very open space and usually a fair way from the track. The F1 cars themselves make a fraction of that noise.
posted by Brockles at 6:55 AM on March 27, 2015
GP2 noise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyKHtaWLxiQ
They are fairly loud, but 'earplugs are fine' loud not 'OMG YOU NEED EAR DEFENDERS' loud. Especially at Silverstone when you are in a very open space and usually a fair way from the track. The F1 cars themselves make a fraction of that noise.
posted by Brockles at 6:55 AM on March 27, 2015
I'm going to offer a slightly different opinion and suggest that you go to the FIA World Endurance Championship race instead. Tickets will be much cheaper, plus you won't have to deal with the horrorshow that is trying to get in and out of Silverstone at its absolute busiest. Your general admission ticket will let you have your pick of grandstands and viewing areas, and best of all, you and your little one will be able to go into the paddock and get up close and personal with the cars and teams. There will be autograph sessions and lots of freebies (shirts, posters, baseball caps, etc.) being given away. If he gets a bit bored with the racing, just about every endurance race I've gone to has a little fun fair set up with carnival rides and bouncy castles.
posted by evoque at 7:06 AM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by evoque at 7:06 AM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you are not an afficionado it is fairly dull to be honest. There are just these whizzing things you see for a couple of seconds every lap without any sense of a race. My guess is the kid will be bored within 10 minutes. Also the congestion getting in and out of the event is a nightmare.
posted by epo at 7:09 AM on March 27, 2015
posted by epo at 7:09 AM on March 27, 2015
Here is the official F1 site about the British Grand Prix, which is run at Silverstone. It includes a schedule.
On Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 is the third practice session. That means the drivers can go out on the course and get used to it, and also test out their cars.
From 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM is qualification, which is done in three sections. During Qual 1, all the cars are on the track, and at any given instant several will be making "Hot runs" which means they're trying to drive as fast as they can. After Qual 1, all but the 10 fastest cars have to leave the track, and then you get Qual 2, with those ten. At the end of Qual 2, the fastest 5 get to stay on the track for Qual 3, which determines the final order for those five cars.
There won't be any cars on the track at any other times. It's against the rules.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 9:17 AM on March 27, 2015
On Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 is the third practice session. That means the drivers can go out on the course and get used to it, and also test out their cars.
From 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM is qualification, which is done in three sections. During Qual 1, all the cars are on the track, and at any given instant several will be making "Hot runs" which means they're trying to drive as fast as they can. After Qual 1, all but the 10 fastest cars have to leave the track, and then you get Qual 2, with those ten. At the end of Qual 2, the fastest 5 get to stay on the track for Qual 3, which determines the final order for those five cars.
There won't be any cars on the track at any other times. It's against the rules.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 9:17 AM on March 27, 2015
There won't be any cars on the track at any other times. It's against the rules.
To clarify, there won't be any F1 cars on the track at any other time. There will be other cars on the track almost constantly and all day, though.
posted by Brockles at 10:03 AM on March 27, 2015
To clarify, there won't be any F1 cars on the track at any other time. There will be other cars on the track almost constantly and all day, though.
posted by Brockles at 10:03 AM on March 27, 2015
Best answer: I agree with evoque that unless you are a fan an F1 weekend probably isn't the best event to choose. There are lots of other events throughout the summer which will be significantly cheaper and allow you better access. I'm not really up to speed (no pun intended) with it anymore but the British Touring Car Championship for example used to be hugely entertaining and likely still is.
posted by neilb449 at 1:26 PM on March 27, 2015
posted by neilb449 at 1:26 PM on March 27, 2015
I agree with evoque that unless you are a fan an F1 weekend probably isn't the best event to choose.
That's a good point, actually. The F1 weekend is by far the most expensive and hectic weekend. It is hideously expensive compared to other events and BTCC or WEC would be, in my opinion, a lot more fun if actually seeing an F1 car on track isn't the most important thing to you. WEC cars are super fast and impressive too, but overall cost (tickets plus parking etc) is likely to be half that of a GP.
posted by Brockles at 2:29 PM on March 27, 2015
That's a good point, actually. The F1 weekend is by far the most expensive and hectic weekend. It is hideously expensive compared to other events and BTCC or WEC would be, in my opinion, a lot more fun if actually seeing an F1 car on track isn't the most important thing to you. WEC cars are super fast and impressive too, but overall cost (tickets plus parking etc) is likely to be half that of a GP.
posted by Brockles at 2:29 PM on March 27, 2015
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Saturday and most of Sunday will usually be races from the feeder leagues, qualifiers, and minor cups. Check out this schedule from Grand Prix Montreal. The main event happens at 2PM on Sunday, but there are 8 races before that over the course of the weekend as well as a bunch of open practise sessions for the main event racers (which can be fun to watch).
In your position, I'd actually seriously just consider skipping the main event and watching the lower tier races. They are just as exciting (if you don't follow racing enough to know specific drivers) and it's a lot easier to find a great spot. Have fun!
posted by 256 at 6:27 AM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]