Which is a better F1 race to attend?
I see where you're going with this.... F1 is being sollicited by rich countries with lots of dough and influence and they all want a race in each of their country. Montreal does not have those means but since F1 can't really add more races to a season and really wants a Race in North America at all costs every year, Montreal has survived whereas many other countries/circuits have not just because of that (altough we've come close to losing the event several times in the last decade). It's an exposure thing....Eventually, if Austin works out well as a circuit and event, they will probably want to decide on just 1 North American stop and may have to choose between Austin and Montreal. Having a GP in your own city is quite a thrill, the buzz and energy is amazing. I had never missed attending the race from 1982 to 2010 with my dad. However, we now decided after so many years of watching the race and being confused as to who's in what position that it's best to watch it at home in the air conditioning in HD. I'd still be a shame to lose the event but I kind of feel like the end is near....I hope I'm wrong.
Can't wait to see F1 in Austin, unlimited views of the action. I wonder if NJ will kill Montreal attendance.
The problem with Austin for me and many of my friends (especially those with children) is the DATE. As much as I want to attend Austin to support the USA race, Montreal looks more likely next season as trying to get to TEXAS one week before Thanksgiving just isn't feasible all things considered. I hope you guys keep supporting the US Race, and if we get one in NY/NJ those of us in the Mid-Atlantic will be all over it.
The Montreal track as much as I would love it to stay has a lot going against it: -The space is limited (not as bad as Monaco) but it's still an issue. -It's on a man-made island and moving 100,000 people on and off of it is always a challenge (even if the subway works quite well on that day) -Local and National government sponsorship is minimal and that is unlikely to change -unlike the design of the newer tracks, overtaking is difficult.
If they want to keep Brazil as the last race, it makes economical sense to have that date so they don't have to bring everything over from Europe twice and can have their North America and South America race in one trip. Also, the weather in Texas beats out Montreal and NJ for a November end-of-season event.
Disclaimer: I haven't been to Austin yet, just saw it on TV. Well, what makes one GP better than another to attend? Depends on the answer. a) Track layout As far as the track is concerned, Austin wins hands down. That layout and its elevation changes is fantastic. Montreal OTOH is flat and for the most part "invisible" straights. Basically two good sections (turn 1 complex and hairpin). Austin looks brilliant in many places. Also Montreal is playing a "Nazi" game with how they channel spectators around the track: If you have hairpin tickets, they won't even let you near the start/finish line complex and vice versa. Insanely annoying if you want to check out the action around the track. b) Action Looks both tracks score about equally there. c) Support races Both again equal but Montreal offers free access to the pits of the support races. It is right behind the hairpin area and doesn't need a VIP pass to get to. d) Accessability from the city Montreal wins hands down with a fast metro commute and a short walk. e) Local atmosphere I'm guessing Montreal wins this one again as it is hard to image a place embracing its F1 race more than Montreal does (Monaco excluded). Every bar, restaurant, shop and strip club has a F1 special. Then there is the whole street party outside of Villeneuve's restaurant. The pics I saw on here from folks visiting Austin downtown looked good but nowhere near what Montreal puts up. Nor does any other town on the F1 circuit (except Monaco). So which one is better? Depends on what matters to you most. For me c), d) and e) are more important than a) and b), so it's Montreal. But I don't want to go to the same place every year, so I'm just as happy to have Austin as an option and go there. Which is exactly what I'll do next year.
I can't tell you how much I hope you're wrong! I don't get your apprarent hate towards 'em TBH; Pretty much everyone thought they did a fantastic job, particularly for an inaugural event. The track itself got rave reviews from the jockeys. Fans were mostly completely satisfied. Yet you continue to wish them ill it seems. I just don't get it. Cheers, Ian
I have been to both, very different races, very different facilities. it was obvious that the COTA was not 100% finished, lots of temporary structures, but I think that would change, it was also a very easy race to follow. montreal was a bit harder to see everything, but less walking, though I think the racing was slightly better. down town: both cities have a very good F1 atmosphere, the "fan zones" were done similarly among trendy restaurants, bars, and clubs. the only down side to Austin is that I found it more expensive (not including travel costs), comparable hotels, dining, and partying... were all more expensive in Austin. North America needs at least 2 f1 races, I dont see the 2 races as being in competition with each other... I would recommend going to both races.
Montreal can't return to the fall months (been there). If NJ takes off as a back to back with Montreal, it either seals the fate of Montreal or shoves Austin into the unknown. I believe this time around, F1 has gained enough popularity due to the web and all of the NA based events will be close to selling out, even with Hermanos R. on the horizon.
Tough call on this one. I'm partial to Montreal as this will be my 4th year attending in June. I had planned on going to Austin this year, but just couldn't swing it financially. The tracks at both locations have and will continue to produce some great racing. The Austin layout is great! Atmosphere wise Montreal and Austin are at completely different spectrums. Both have a great night life and event scene, but one has Texas flare and one is a little bit of Europe in NA. Just depends on what you are in the mood for. Logistically, Montreal wins hands down. You can take public metro to and from the track. Thus allowing you to just park at your hotel and relax the whole weekend. If NJ ever takes off I don't think it seals Montreal's fate. Could be wrong, but I think it would be a huge success to have two races back to back in the Northeast. Take a weeks vacation and you can attend two races in NA. Thats a big win in my eyes for both US and international fans. Maybe go camping in the Adirondacks between the races. Just me being crazy, but it would be great if they offered some sort of dual race package for die hard fans.
The only reason Montreal has lasted this long is because Bernie absolutely wanted a race on or close to the American market. I'm not sure that North America is big enough to have a gp in Mtl, Austin, NJ & Mexico so something will need to be cut out and I'm afraid it's going to be Montreal. Bernie's MO is predictable, he'll make tons of unreasonable demands, the government will fall short and he'll blame it on the venue instead of just being honest and admitting he prefers one city over the other. I guess it's the best way to handle it for PR purposes.
I've never been to the city of Austin and I've heard some great things about it but Montreal is one of the great cities of the world. I do believe the more modern track of Austin might be better for seeing a race but to visit Montreal is a real treat.
I'm not calling either one, just refuting some non-facts against Austin: Austin seemed to fully embrace the race. Also there were 2 multi-block "fan zones" cordoned off downtown. I didn't go to those sections as it seemed touristy. Had fun just on the border though. Same for Austin. Not the metro, but they did run shuttles from the hotels to the track. You didn't need a car *at all*. Airport is so close to downtown that it's super cheap to get to the hotel from the airport. Lots of taxis and rickshaws for getting around town.
I've travelled quite a bit all over the US and Europe and I must tell you that another great thing about Montreal is the hot women that can be spotted all over town. Nowhere else in the world that I've been to compares...it's insane!!! You can get quite the neck ache taking in all the beautiful women around. I was born here and live here and I'm still impressed!!!
Oh, that sounds promising. I don't understand your rationale at all. That is the one place I would go. Sounds almost more interesting than the track itself.
I really did have an awesome time in Montreal, the whole city embraces the event, I met up with a friend I made online through another forum and hung out with he and his girlfriend that night and had a great time. I loved how easy it was to get around on their metro and get to the race or wherever else you wanted to get. The food is just simply AMAZING if you know where to go. Au Pied de Cochon is one of the very best restaurants I've been to and I've been to quite a few awesome ones. Plus the women were just plain gorgeous. I'm having trouble imagining that Austin could be better than Montreal. The track seems like a nicer layout but they were so restrictive at first on what you were allowed to bring in. At Montreal they didn't care at all, I brought in my giant Canon 500mm f/4.0L lens, one of those 20" long white lenses and my monopod and some other camera gear in my giant backpack to house the lens and they never even looked inside it once. I just cant imagine Texas being as accommodating.
they both have their pros and cons. which have been listed well above. The sport is still for the most part on its training wheels in the US. Austin did a great job in my mind - I toured the track and could see that it was still lacking the maturity (I have friends that were at the track just days before though and they said it was chaos). I dont know if you can really compare the two tracks - they are both different and the cities and culture make for a different experience too. Hearing from the drivers they said it was a "Frankenstein" circuit that seemed to take most of their favorite turns and straights and turn it into a competitive track...they were all convinced that turn 1 would be a wreck and they all made it through - very awesome to witness! In fact, other than mechanical failure, i dont think that there were any incidents that day. I'd be more interested to see the sport gain that second track in New Jersey and then compare that with Austin.
yep, and that is the place that it appears most people wanted to go. Me, I find no pleasure in mixing with the throngs of people doing what the organizers tell them / plan for them to do. I prefer to explore the city on my own terms. Which BTW allowed me to brush shoulders with some drivers ... The rules for Austin were severe, but I didn't see it enforced. We brought our own booze in (easily smuggled -- they didn't care) and I didn't personally have one but I saw lots of big camera lenses. It was also VERY easy to go to any available grandstand, except the paddock club. I hear in Montreal that would never happen, even on practice day. They even had a driver's autograph session. Pointless of course, as it was a mob scene, but still. I will say one more thing, there was way more international attendance than I'd expected. Seemed like there were accents everywhere I went.
this is what we are planning without the camping part. totally do able. comparing montreal to austin is apples and oranges. texas, no matter how nice, isn't montreal. different culture, different facilities. i think there's room for all three. i know i'd like to do the north american hat trick.
Montreal is one of the best venues ever. It rarely dissappoints. That being said Austin was a great gp and i hope it stays for a long time.
I hate big herds of people myself. But I'm figuring if they blocked off 2 streets for this, then there were some F1 themed things going on? In Montreal there is always at least one F1 on display and e.g. Pirelli has a stand with tires etc. Vendors have F1 relates things for sale etc. Like the stuff they USED to sell in the F1 village before Bernie sanitized it all down to t-shirts and baseball caps. Damn I remember the day I bough a real nose of an Indycar in Indy from such a vendor outside the stadium. Scuff marks and all for where the nose hit the wall...
