F1 Race Recommendations

Spa is very nice.
From the US, best way is probably to fly to Brussels and rent a car there; the track is about 90 miles from Brussels airport.

 

Yes, Spa.

Where to be on the track?

In the grandstands at Eau Rouge and Radillion.

 

Zandvoort: stay in Amsterdam & train direct to track - its been a few years since I went to Spa but accommodation & access are appalling plus it always rains

 

Though I'm a few years younger, I would still consider a tour operator, and add on self directed travel on either end.

 

There are a few hotels around Francorchamps; if not going with a tour operator, early booking is probably advised.
The "Hotel de la Source" is my default choice when available.

Another suggestion for access anjd accommodation convenience is Monza, which is a Northern suburb of Milan (the Malpensa International airport is quite far away, but when in Milan, Monza is really not far; the Linate airport is just at the other side of Milan, South, but most long haul flights are to Malpensa). I never went to a race there but I've been in Monza many times for business.

 

The Gulf races have the best accomodation and most well behaved relaxed crowds and atmosphere, along with Singapore.

Europe Id pick Barcelona or Zandvoort. The rest are crowded, too hot or not very good accomodation wise etc.
If you go to the UK get a helo transport in and out. Dont drive at all + weather. Spa has limited accomodation+weather.
Madrid will be interesting to keep an eye on.

For a 'euro-esque' atmosphere you might desire, with an amazing location go to Melbourne.

Overall you have alot of choices lol All can be a fun a adventure of course no matter what we here advise.

 

I agree. I you're at all unfamiliar with the area and in any way disadvantaged in terms of mobility or local orientation I’d spend the money on being well taken care of. I’m sure some of our members can recommend a first class tour operator specializing in F1 venues.

 

My wife and I chose Abu Dhabi as our first F1 race two years ago. We bought our suite tickets directly from Yas and did our own travel and accommodations. Was very easy, clean, organized, and relaxing. We were in the West Suite and it was great location for viewing and that services/food provided was incredible. If you are looking for things to do outside the track activities, the extras they give you with your ticket (the nightly concerts, Louvre, Sea World, etc) are an excellent way to keep you busy. We stayed at the Ritz rather than in Yas, so it was about 20mins cab ride each way, but traffic was never bad and the distance provided a very relaxed atmosphere away from track. The only thing I'd do differently next time is to hire a car for the week rather than use cabs as it would made the after-concert trips easier. That was the only real crap-show we experienced.

 

I’ve gone to Bahrain, Budapest, CoTa, Monza and Montreal. Doing Zandvoort next year, out of all 5 Budapest is my favorite. We got T1 (always do), it’s easy to get an uber, short walk to the gate and the food in BudaPest was phenomenal, for great value. Feel free to shoot a message!

 

Budapest is a very nice city indeed...
Also, the topography of the site and the track layout allow to more or less see the whole track from the sides (there are still screens, but they are less needed than on other tracks).