People keep saying fans are falling out of love with F1 but what’s it really like to go to a race these days, I enlisted the help of Bene from the Netherlands to give us some insight;
WHO WENT:
We are a group of six motorsport fans, living in the North of the Netherlands, 3 in and around Groningen, the other 3 in and around Assen, the town known for the MotoGP TT races.
Our names are Henk (48 years), Martin (49), Doeije (48), Wim (46), Paul (48) and of course me, Bene(49).
Standing is Wim, before Wim you see Paul, to the right of Wim is Martin, next to him is Doeije and with the yellow cap is Henk.
WHAT BUDGET WERE YOU ON:
Increased over the years from €325,00 in 2002 to about €650,00 now.
WHERE WE STAYED:
We stayed on camping Blue in Flatschach, arriving at 18:00 Thursday, leaving at Monday morning.
And here’s me baking an egg for someone on the camping.
HOW DID YOU GET THERE:
We hired a bus and drive to the circuit on Thursday and heading back home at Monday.
HOW MANY GP HAVE YOU BEEN TO BEFORE:
Some of us more than 20, including Magny-Cours, Monza and Spielberg. But this group of six together 14. We also visited an Indycar race in our hometown Assen, A1GP races, Superleague Formula and some Le Mans 24 hours. And of course a lot of MotoGP.
Thoughts on experience:
From The Redbull Tribune we had an excellent view on the track, about 50% could be followed, where the other 50% could be followed on a large screen in front of us. There was a full program during the weekend, including Formula 1, GP2, GP3, Porsche Supercup and a very nice Formula 1 Legend Parade. The Formula 1 Legend Parade were cars from the 80’s, driven by former formula 1 drivers like Alain Prost, Gerhard Berger, Jean Alesi, Ricardo Patrese, Niki Lauda, Pierluigi Martini and Martin Brundle.
Our place on the Red Bull Tribune, section G up. The Minardi of Pierluigi Martini got fire in front of our tribune.
Unfortunately the noise isn’t what it was like in the 90’s, e.g. the Ferrari V12 or the Minardi’s with their great after-burning.
The smell, the only thing we smell was the fresh air of Austria.
Besides the racing there was a lot of entertainment in the proximity of the circuit, there were concerts on the other side of the road. However we were not allowed to enter the area because not all of us had the GP ticket with them. However, we found our way back to Flatschach, the town next to the circuit where the camping area was located, and enjoyed the party which was going on at the Party Stadl on Friday and Saturday night. Great music and a great performance of the DJ.
The Party Stadl
Unfortunately, when we arrived for an after-party on Sunday evening at 11 the party was already over…
What also was great in Austria, though we did not take it, was the opportunity to get autographs of drivers on Saturday. On all other races were we been before it was only on Thursday, when we are on our way to the circuit. Up to next year, we are looking forward to another exciting Formula weekend at Spielberg.
Driver of the weekend:
For us the absolute driver of the weekend was Max Verstappen, only 17 years old and driving so constant during the whole weekend, getting all the best out of the car, knowing that the Renault motor is not as quick as the Mercedes motor.
Team of the weekend:
It was difficult to mention a team of the weekend, I would say the Mercedes team with a 1 and 2 score, but the performance of Hamilton at the start was not good and in addition he got a penalty for driving over the white line after his pit stop. So I would go for Williams with a good race performance for both drivers. Having said that, also a good performance by the Force India team, resulting in a P6 finish for Nico Hulkenberg.