5 Top tips when attending a Formula One Grand Prix
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No sporting event globally compares to the unique nature of attending a Formula One Grand Prix weekend.
The 3 day event crescendos through practice and qualifying sessions and support races, building the excitement into the main event on Sunday.
And once the lights go out and the engines begin to rev, 90 minutes of high-octane adrenaline proceed with the world’s best racing drivers battling it out inches from each other at speeds of over 200mph.
I have been fortunate enough in my 28 years to have attended 7 grands prix across the globe; including Silverstone, European races at classic circuits including Spa-Francorchamps, and even further afield in Baku, Azerbaijan. I also have an 8th planned this year at Suzuka in Japan.
Along the way I have witnessed some of the greatest to ever grace the sport including Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen create unforgettable memories through fearless skill and talent.
Murray Travel are offering an all-inclusive 3-night luxury coach tour to this year’s British Grand Prix leaving from Inverness, providing a brilliant opportunity to witness the world’s best drivers with the simplicity of booking everything altogether. Silverstone is the home of British motorsport, hosted the first ever grand prix in 1950 and plays host to some of the most enthusiastic racing fans in the world.
Here are my top tips to make the most of attending a grand prix, whether you have been before or if you are a new fan of the sport.
1. Spend as much time as you can at the circuit
Attending a grand prix is much more than the race on a Sunday and spending as much time at the circuit as possible is a must. In between sessions you have a great opportunity to explore different parts of the track, and to immerse yourself in the fan zone where you can trial F1 simulators, buy official merchandise and have the opportunity to attend meet and greet sessions with drivers and personalities from the world of Formula One.
2. Watch the support races
With the event running over a 3 day period, support races from Formula 2 and 3, the F1 Academy and Porsche Supercup ensure a packed schedule to provide entertainment across the whole weekend. These races are very entertaining with young drivers proving themself for a potential future opportunity in Formula One, with brave overtaking, and often the odd mistake adding a lot of excitement.
3. Move around the circuit
A grandstand ticket is great for the main event on Sunday as it guarantees your seat for the race, and big screens around the track allow you to follow the action once the cars have gone past. However, for practice sessions and races in lower formula’s, it is well worth travelling around the track’s general admission zones to get a viewpoint of the action from other areas.
4. Prepare for the elements and noise
Especially at Silverstone with the unpredictable British summertime, the weather can be hard to call. It will be hot in July so shorts and t-shirt are a good idea, with plenty of suncream as well. However, make sure to bring an umbrella or rain jacket/poncho as sitting in the rain for the race can never be ruled out, it does make the action on track that much more exciting. Also Formula One is loud even since the sport moved down to V6 Hybrid engines, so bringing along ear plugs is a wise move.
5. Have fun and make lasting memories
The most important thing is to have fun, do as much as you can across the weekend and to make memories you will never forget. Formula One isn’t as easy to attend as many other sports so its important to use the whole time to max (no Verstappen pun intended) out the experience.
Scott Murray, co-founder and CEO of Murray Travel explains why their all-inclusive coach trip to this years British Grand Prix is perfect for new fans and seasoned veterans of the sport in the North of Scotland.
“The opportunity to experience the event with Murray Travel takes the stress out of booking and is easy to access for newer fans of the sport, sorting out race tickets, travel and accommodation all in one.
“The all-inclusive group experience is great for meeting other racing fans, allowing you to do it in style.
“The package can also be tailored to suit anyone’s desired experience whether they want something modest, or if they want to experience hospitality and the paddock club.
“Murray Travel are also always on hand to chat to, so that any questions are answered and the experience is seamless for everyone that is going.”
A luxury Mercedes coach will take you from Inverness, with a 3-night stay in a 4-star hotel and shuttle transportation to and from the circuit each day included in the package.
Spaces on this year's coach trip are still available, but those who are interested should act quickly as there are only a limited number still remaining.
A grand prix provides a truly unique exciting experience that is unmatched in any other sporting event.
