on the road to valencia with yvonne
why valencia?
Despite having the reputation of being ’the most boring circuit’ on the calendar, I and a couple of friends chose to attend the European Grand Prix in 2011.
A friend of mine, who had attended the GP the year before, told us about her experiences and we were quite easily convinced that it might be worth the trip. And to be honest, we weren’t disappointed. We combined the race weekend with a holiday and stayed a whole week in Valencia. First of all, Valencia is a great and beautiful city. There are many fantastic spots waiting to be discovered and the beaches are fantastic!! Since the race track is a street circuit, it is pretty easy to reach. We walked to the track every day, but you can also go by bus or taxi (public transport is cheap in Spain!). The Spanish are very passionate about the sport, especially about Alonso and Ferrari of course, so the atmosphere at the track is simply amazing. You may get a couple of weird looks at first if you don’t show up in Alonso or Ferrari gear, but at the end of the day it is like a big family that you will be considered part of. At the race track, there is a TV screen in front of every single grandstand, so you will easily be able to follow the action on the track. The commentary is in Spanish, French, and English. There is also a lot you can do in the evening as various beach parties take place right next to the race track. In 2011, the Grand Prix was accompanied by an F1 Rocks show. David Guetta performed on Friday evening and going there was one of my personal highlights of the trip!! Valencia is also great if you are looking to meet many drivers. |
did you meet anyone in particular?
It is actually pretty easy to meet drivers in Valencia. There is an autograph signing session on Thursday afternoon during the pit walk. However, it is only for 3-day ticket holders and you need to get a special ticket for the pit walk on Wednesday (which doesn’t cost anything!). The number of tickets is limited, so you better
be there early enough to get one. During the pit walk I met Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel, Pedro De La Rosa, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. They were all really friendly and willing to talk to the fans. Interestingly, the Ferrari team did not take part in the signing session as they had run a competition beforehand and the winners won a meet & greet with the drivers.
You can also meet the drivers at the car park when they enter and exit the track in the morning / evening. We went there Saturday and Sunday evening and got hold of Felipe Massa twice, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian
Vettel again (and congratulated him on the win!), Mark Webber, Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli, Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastien Buemi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Nick Heidfeld, Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok. We also saw Vitaly Petrov hang around a bar / restaurant Monday evening.
be there early enough to get one. During the pit walk I met Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel, Pedro De La Rosa, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. They were all really friendly and willing to talk to the fans. Interestingly, the Ferrari team did not take part in the signing session as they had run a competition beforehand and the winners won a meet & greet with the drivers.
You can also meet the drivers at the car park when they enter and exit the track in the morning / evening. We went there Saturday and Sunday evening and got hold of Felipe Massa twice, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian
Vettel again (and congratulated him on the win!), Mark Webber, Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli, Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastien Buemi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Nick Heidfeld, Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok. We also saw Vitaly Petrov hang around a bar / restaurant Monday evening.
what about the cost?
I flew to Valencia with Ryanair for about €80 including taxes and checking in one bag. The tickets we had were of the cheapest kind, priced at €139, and allowed us into one of the two‘Grao Balcon’ grandstands (turns 20 / 21). The prices for accomodation and food vary of course. We rented an apartment near the city centre and had to pay €90 each for the week. Food and drinks can be bought cheaply at a supermarket and public transport is cheap too. The ticket to the F1 Rocks show cost around €50, but of course that is optional.
what advice would you give to others?
1) You are allowed to take food and drinks into the circuit, however, the security guards will take away the lids of your bottles, so make sure you always carry a spare lid in your trousers or bag.
2) Valencia in June is HOT, I’ve had numerous sunburns when returning, so lots of clothes and sun blocker should be in your suitcase!
3) Wear comfortable shoes, your feet and the heat will kill you otherwise.
4) Check out the ‘City of the Arts and the Sciences’ in Valencia, it is a must-see place in my opinion.
5) Don’t celebrate anyone except Fernando – or else you will have water thrown at you. (Happened to us on Saturday when celebrating Sebastian Vettel’s pole, was funny though!)
6) Bring a hat or something to protect your head and neck from the sun in the grandstands.
2) Valencia in June is HOT, I’ve had numerous sunburns when returning, so lots of clothes and sun blocker should be in your suitcase!
3) Wear comfortable shoes, your feet and the heat will kill you otherwise.
4) Check out the ‘City of the Arts and the Sciences’ in Valencia, it is a must-see place in my opinion.
5) Don’t celebrate anyone except Fernando – or else you will have water thrown at you. (Happened to us on Saturday when celebrating Sebastian Vettel’s pole, was funny though!)
6) Bring a hat or something to protect your head and neck from the sun in the grandstands.
what were your personal highlights?
For me, meeting Sebastian and being able to talk to him was my personal highlight of the entire week. I also enjoyed seeing him win live!! My opinion of Mark Webber changed completely that weekend too as he was
awesome with us and always up for a chat. As already mentioned, the F1 Rocks show was brilliant. If you ever get the chance to attend one, go for it!
Lying on the beach or going for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea while hearing the noise of the cars on the track was a really nice experience too!
The Valencia Street Circuit may not produce the most exciting races ever, but it still has a lot to offer to the fans and the atmosphere is just as amazing as it is at any other race track. I would recommend going there once if you have the chance, I would always go back there.
If you would like to ask Yvonne more about her trip you can find her on twitter at @Iceladyy !
awesome with us and always up for a chat. As already mentioned, the F1 Rocks show was brilliant. If you ever get the chance to attend one, go for it!
Lying on the beach or going for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea while hearing the noise of the cars on the track was a really nice experience too!
The Valencia Street Circuit may not produce the most exciting races ever, but it still has a lot to offer to the fans and the atmosphere is just as amazing as it is at any other race track. I would recommend going there once if you have the chance, I would always go back there.
If you would like to ask Yvonne more about her trip you can find her on twitter at @Iceladyy !