Top 10 tips for doing F1 on a budget
Many people see $ signs when you talk about F1 and it isn’t an unreasonable association given the huge figures bound about when you look into the sport. In 2019 Lewis Hamilton was reported, by Forbes, to have earnt around $489 million over his career and Formula One’s annual prize money payout was a staggering $913 million last year alone. The 10 teams currently racing in the F1 line up spend a total of $2.6 billion annually so it is easy to see why people may think it is simply out of touch.
But where does this leave the fans? Top tier passes to some of the biggest events on the race calender can set you back thousands of dollars but can you do it on a budget? With race season just around the corner here’s my top 10 tips for a great race experience whilst watching the pennies.
1. Take account of who is going
Not all race tracks offer the same ticket packages. Whilst some may charge full price for children on some, or all, ticket options others may offer discounted tickets or even free tickets for the younger generation (Silverstone is currently free for the under 10s with the purchase of an adult GA ticket). In addition both the British Grand Prix and the US Grand Prix offered free tickets to armed forces personal by way of a ballot in 2019 so if you think you might be entitled to a concession discount shop around and see what works out best for you.
2. Compare the price of tickets and check out the exchange rate
Ticket prices can vary hugely circuit to circuit. In 2019 a grand stand ticket opposite the pit lane would have cost you in the region of $200 in China or Russia compared to Mexico where a similar option would set you back $1500. The value of your currency and the cost of staying in an area can also greatly affect how far your money will go. It may be that even when you add up all assoicated costing your local Grand Prix is not the greatest option. So why not get out and explore the world whilst enjoying your motorsport fix.
3. Don’t snub general admission
General admission is the cheapest level of ticket avaliable at an F1 circuit. Traditionally it allows you to roam around a track taking in the different views but with no access to grandstand seating although, if you do your research, there are a few tracks which allow free access to the grandstands on certain days. Some tracks may not be so good for general admission others, arguably, give you a better experience. In the case of GA, cheapest is not always worst. Just make sure you do your homework.
4. Buy early and shop around
Several different ticket outlets exist in F1, from the tracks themselves to ticket websites and whole package experiences through travel agents. Not everyone charges the same price and fees for their tickets and not everyone offers the same terms and conditions so make sure you do your comparison research and look for the best option for you. It is also often the case that the earlier you buy your ticket the cheaper you will find it. Most circuits offer a tiered ticketing structure so if you can make the commitment get in there quickly to secure the best value for money. Securing those tickets early often allows you to get the best value on travel options too.
5. Camp!
Many F1 tracks have a massive tradition associated with allowing their fans to camp. If you have ever been to Spa, for example, you will know that the camping and all the entertainment that goes along with it is almost as big an attraction as the racing itself! Think makeshift swimming pools, rodeo bulls and even visits from Max Verstapen (spa has a huge contingent of the Max Army). You will often find find multiple camping options avaliable at circuits who offer it so do some research and find out what works best for you. If you want to be in bed at 9pm ready for an early start then you do not want to find yourself in a campsite offering all night raves and leting off fireworks into the early hours!
6. Make F1 your main holiday
F1 done right can be more than just a day at the races. It can be a whole family holiday! If finances don’t allow you more than one get away a year then why not choose a track which enables you to o both at the same time? Tracks in mainland Europe have great access from the UK either by ferry or plane and a weeks vacation with three or four days racing thrown in for good measure could be the perfect solution.
7. Bring your own food
Everyone who has ever been to an event, F1 or not, knows how expensive buying food and drink inside a venue can be. Some tracks on the F1 circuit allow you to bring in food and drink for your own personal consumption. So check out the terms and conditions on your ticket and with a little bit of extra effort in the run up to your chosen event you could end up saving yourself a lot of money.
8. Watch the entertainment!
Want to catch Britney Spears at a show? Huge fan of Muse? Love the DJ skills of Above and Boyond? F1 weekends have grown over the years and now several tracks offer a huge programme of music and entertainment around the racing. If you think a ticket to a large scale show these days could set you back around £100 pick wisely and factor this into the price of you ticket and you could acutally find that the racing pays for itself.
9. Buy your merchandice in advance
Want to show your support for your favourite driver? Of course you do! All of the teams will have their merchandice on sale and many other companies will have racing memorobilia stalls set up too but items can often be expensive as they have a captive market. Get ahead of the game and buy your merchandice on line before you go. Most of the big teams have regular sales throughout the year and, if you don’t mind having last season’s apparel, huge discounts can often me made. Don’t forget to check out the likes of Ebay as well! You never know, you might be lucky enough to bag an autograph or two!
10. Volunteer or get a job
If you’re really stuck for cash why not volunteer or get a job? Race marshalls arguably have the best view in the house in return for their commitment to look after the safety of the drivers and spectators. Several tracks also bring in volunteers to help with the smooth running of the customer services around an event and there are multiple hospitality and promotions companies that bring in casual workers to look after the hoards of racegoers. How much of the on track action you see will depend on what roles you undertake but if you just want to get there at all costs, especially if you have no money, then this may well be the route for you.
However and wherever you choose to watch F1 next season we hope you have a great one!
