British F1 Grand Prix - Where to Sit?
- Thread starter Snubber
- Start date
Becketts is spectacular, although at Club you will probably see the start (from the rear looking up the grid) and there are overtaking opportunities looking up towards the Vale chicane. Maldonado is also probably guaranteed to rear-end someone on the first lap there 
Dumb question...do they have an on-site FM radio broadcast commentary of the practice sessions, quali, race?
Last time I went (2012) we rented the Kangaroo TV devices which had all commentary, timings, camera feeds etc. I don't think they offer these anymore.
Last time I went (2012) we rented the Kangaroo TV devices which had all commentary, timings, camera feeds etc. I don't think they offer these anymore.
There is Radio Silverstone, but not sure how in-depth it is during a session. I normally just listed to it on the way into the circuit.
Failing that if you can pick up FM on a radio or want to stream it on a phone then there is always BBC 5 Live which cover every session.
Been to the GP 3 times now, I've gone with Becketts twice and then GA last year.
You can see a large area of the track at Becketts, including Abbey through to the Arena (dig out your binoculars!) however I much preferred GA sitting on the inside of Vale despite being able to see less of the track.
The change of direction at Becketts isn't as exciting as watching cars get side by side elsewhere in the circuit (go sit at the end of Maggots in qually if you want that speed). It's always bloody freezing sitting in the grandstand too. Been there when it's been 25+ degrees, but due to the open grandstand and sitting in the shade I was wearing jeans, hoody and a coat... It's also really quite cramped.
Meanwhile GA last year, sitting in a nice comfey camp chair, closer to the track, better view of a big screen, closer to toilets/food plus save a small fortune. If I was to go to Silverstone again it would take VIP passes to get me away from GA I think!
You can see a large area of the track at Becketts, including Abbey through to the Arena (dig out your binoculars!) however I much preferred GA sitting on the inside of Vale despite being able to see less of the track.
The change of direction at Becketts isn't as exciting as watching cars get side by side elsewhere in the circuit (go sit at the end of Maggots in qually if you want that speed). It's always bloody freezing sitting in the grandstand too. Been there when it's been 25+ degrees, but due to the open grandstand and sitting in the shade I was wearing jeans, hoody and a coat... It's also really quite cramped.
Meanwhile GA last year, sitting in a nice comfey camp chair, closer to the track, better view of a big screen, closer to toilets/food plus save a small fortune. If I was to go to Silverstone again it would take VIP passes to get me away from GA I think!
I went to Silverstone for about 5 or 6 years with GA tickets. I would now only ever get grandstands, purely to avoid the 7am dash for a spot.
They have also removed all the good GA spots. I remember when the whole of Club was one big bank full of partying GA ticket holders.
They have also removed all the good GA spots. I remember when the whole of Club was one big bank full of partying GA ticket holders.
Decided to go with grandstand tickets for Club...and make use of the roaming on Fri/Sat to check out other prime viewing spots.
Next decision is where to camp for the weekend. The lad has turned 18 so we can now make proper use of bar facilities! Erring towards Silverstone Golf Club (which is pretty close to Club Corner)
Next decision is where to camp for the weekend. The lad has turned 18 so we can now make proper use of bar facilities! Erring towards Silverstone Golf Club (which is pretty close to Club Corner)
Silverstone Woodlands campsite ftw Plenty of stuff to do on campsite in the evenings.
Think when we went GA last year we were queuing outside before the sun came up. Can't remember what time the gates open but I think we were there for probably an hour before they opened. Ended up with a great spot and had a cracking time though so don't regret it
Plenty of stuff to do on campsite in the evenings. Think when we went GA last year we were queuing outside before the sun came up. Can't remember what time the gates open but I think we were there for probably an hour before they opened. Ended up with a great spot and had a cracking time though so don't regret it
Been four times with Becketts being by far the best spot. You're a bit farther away from the track than at other corners, which can make photography harder but the flipside is you see more of the cars as they move through the complex.
Definitely take a radio so you can listen to Radio 5 commentary otherwise you'll have no idea what's going on. If you have the data capacity on a phone/tablet then take that so you can stream the BBC coverage during the race
Have done but on the old format circuit so totally different now.
Definitely take a radio so you can listen to Radio 5 commentary otherwise you'll have no idea what's going on. If you have the data capacity on a phone/tablet then take that so you can stream the BBC coverage during the race
Have done but on the old format circuit so totally different now.
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I've been in Club twice and Woodcote A.
Club is good because you can see down the pits, you see all the grid activity before the start, the drivers slow to a crawl there on the way to the grid and often wave and of course you get the full noise of the start. You can see almost all the way to Stowe too. The possibly downside is the demo lap type stuff before the race bypasses you a bit cos it goes in to the pits if they only do a single lap. I'd definitely sit there again though.
Woodcote wasn't bad because the view was from the entry to Luffield down to copse but if I could choose again I'd go for Woodcote B because it's a little nearer Luffield meaning you'd also get a view up the Wellington straight (I missed the view of Kimi's crash last year by about 20 seats!).
Friday is also worth going to because you can go pretty much anywhere on the outfield.
As an aside, I'd highly recommend WEC next year. Much smaller crowds, much cheaper, loads of overtaking and noise, and you can go everywhere, even the paddock. At the F1 you're pretty much stuck in your seat or queuing at stupid o'clock to get near the fence with GA.
Club is good because you can see down the pits, you see all the grid activity before the start, the drivers slow to a crawl there on the way to the grid and often wave and of course you get the full noise of the start. You can see almost all the way to Stowe too. The possibly downside is the demo lap type stuff before the race bypasses you a bit cos it goes in to the pits if they only do a single lap. I'd definitely sit there again though.
Woodcote wasn't bad because the view was from the entry to Luffield down to copse but if I could choose again I'd go for Woodcote B because it's a little nearer Luffield meaning you'd also get a view up the Wellington straight (I missed the view of Kimi's crash last year by about 20 seats!).
Friday is also worth going to because you can go pretty much anywhere on the outfield.
As an aside, I'd highly recommend WEC next year. Much smaller crowds, much cheaper, loads of overtaking and noise, and you can go everywhere, even the paddock. At the F1 you're pretty much stuck in your seat or queuing at stupid o'clock to get near the fence with GA.
