Where is best to sit at Silverstone?

Hi Andrew, I attended the British GP in 2012, it was a bucket list thing for me, and I had a great time despite the miserable conditions that year.

A few thoughts to guide seat selection. If you have a grandstand ticket somewhere on the circuit, you can sit in ANY grandstand for practice or qualifying, you are only restricted to the specific seat for the F1 race. That also means that grandstand seats for practice and qualifying are on a first come basis to grandstand ticket holders, so if you want a covered seat in a prime location, get there early.

I took advantage of that arrangement to watch different sessions from all around the track. For the race, decide what you want to see! Lower speed corners mean the cars are in view for longer periods; sitting along a straight means the cars whiz by in a flash and you don't see much of them. If you want to take pictures, consider the viewing angles and check out photos posted on line from a particular stand to see the potential (eg Abbey, all your photos of cars cornering will be of the back of them as they drive away from you). If you want to see overtaking, review previous races to see where passes take place.

I wanted a slower section to get a better look at the cars, and to see overtaking. I chose the end of the DRS zone on the Wellington Straight, and got a seat in the covered Woodcote A stand. Had a perfect view of Webber passing Alonso for the win with a couple of laps remaining. The view was great, but because of the fencing it wasn't so good for photographs.

I sat in Club grandstand for qualifying, and it is raised up and provides clear views of the track, so was great for photos. You can have a clear view of the Vale chicane, Club corner, and down the pit lane. Nobody overtakes there, though.

Also consider where the big screens are located - those are nice to be in easy view to follow the action around the rest of the track!

 

The way the cars change direction through the maggots/becketts complex is stunning!

 

Very true, they are amazing through there! That's the beauty of the Silverstone Grandstand pass and the open weekend access. I watched parts of the practice or qualy sessions (or non-F1 support sessions) from every single stand around the track over the course of the weekend. In Montreal, your ticket is good for the assigned seat only, all weekend, and they won't let you into any grandstand but your assigned one.

 

Qually's probably the best time of all to be there as the cars are arguably going faster than at any other point in the meeting.

 

When I was there in 2007 I spend FP2 watching them at Woodcote/beckets. Absolutely incredible.

Last hour of FP1 was at copse. The speed they entered with was hard to comprehend as you get to stand very close. The only thing more over powering was the sheer noise (but you won't have that issue ).

Saturday I spent walking around the track throughout the day attending different spots. My legs where killing me. Couldn't find anything better than the above though. Hanger straight is quite boring after 10 cars have passed.

Sunday I was at Farm which was quite entertaining, but still not as good as the above. you do sit closer to the cars but it's a mute point since Farm is gone. The Brazilian girls in front of me made my day though, lol (and Kimi winning of course).

Personally if I would go this year I'd do the same I did in 2007, wander around between copse and beckets through out the day on the first 2 days, and buy grandstand tickets for the infield complex. Good overtaking there these days and you see the cars a lot. Can also take nice pictures then if you have a decent camera.

 

Club Corner is great these days. You can see down the pit straight, pit entry, Vale, and after the race the podium.

 

The real question should have been:

How do I get to Silverstone?

Only one answer: helicopter

 

Best place to sit: in a mercedes
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Best place to sit at the British GP: Druids

 

Just get there early.

 

Don't blame me when you sit in the traffic jam.

There are heliscopter rides available from the train stations nearby

 

Hilarious... but Paddock is the best, actually.

 

The traffic is indeed horrible. Stand still and even worse when it's muddy.

If it's an option, do take it.

 

I was serious. I did Silverstone once without helicopter and sure enough spent hours on end in a traffic jam from the highway to the parking lot. It was terrible and an experience unlike any other GP. In short: There is a reason for why they offer heli rides.

That said, helicopter rides for this event are expensive. You can google them easily.

I found Skycab - The Silverstone Helicopter F1 British Grand Prix Transfer Service. They charge 485 quid per person.

I'm not likely to ever go to Silverstone again (not worth it IMHO) but if I do, I would only go by helicopter.

PS: There are also helicopter rides from Nice to the Monaco GP but they are dirt cheap by comparison. Who knew?

 

Back in the day, we used to camp on site to avoid the traffic. Nice in decent weather, a quagmire when wet....

However, things have improved some since Bernie convinced the Queen to build a bypass round Towcester among other improvements. It's not perfect, and Sunday will be tough, but worst case you'll still get there in plenty of time.

Having said all that, I too once swore I'd never return unless it was by chopper.....

It's still a great GP, you'll enjoy it. Looking forward to your report. Remember, pix or it didn't happen..... Where are you staying?

Cheers,
Ian

 

Nice hat, however if you wear this one, am sure they will wave you through all traffic in fear you may smash them out the way......
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No worries, hope the traffic is not too much of a problem