Silverstone 2005- 2011 with tom wilkinson
Are you thinking of going to Formula 1 British Grand Prix in 2012? Want ideas or tips? Here’s mine.
As an experienced Silverstone visitor, I know the circuit inside and out, literally. Having been a regular fan high up in the grandstand, a guest of teams and sponsors in the paddock and pit lane, I know the best areas to sit, see and experience Formula 1 live at its very best.
My first British Grand Prix was in 2005, It was an experience I’ll never forget. My fist sight of a Formula 1 car was a bright yellow Jordan going through Bridge corner flat out. What a sight and sound it was, and feeling too as I felt the power and force of the car on my chest. From that moment on, the British GP was a major event on my calendar every year. My visits are 2005 – 2011, and have my tickets booked again for this season.
As an experienced Silverstone visitor, I know the circuit inside and out, literally. Having been a regular fan high up in the grandstand, a guest of teams and sponsors in the paddock and pit lane, I know the best areas to sit, see and experience Formula 1 live at its very best.
My first British Grand Prix was in 2005, It was an experience I’ll never forget. My fist sight of a Formula 1 car was a bright yellow Jordan going through Bridge corner flat out. What a sight and sound it was, and feeling too as I felt the power and force of the car on my chest. From that moment on, the British GP was a major event on my calendar every year. My visits are 2005 – 2011, and have my tickets booked again for this season.
Why silverstone?
The simple reason is, it’s my home grand prix. A three hour drive at 5 am on Friday, arrive at the circuit at around 08:30, just in time for FP1. The journey is an exciting time for me, I have time to make notes and prepare for the weekend as a fan, but also as a reporter. The first thing that hits you on arrival is that wonderful new Silverstone wing rising magnificently over the pit straight. The fans at Silverstone are just fantastic. No F1 fan in the world is more knowledgeable or passionate than the British. Most people wearing some item of team clothing whether it’s a cap, shirt or jacket, the support from the fans for all teams is always very strong.
who i have met....
Being in the paddock in 2008 and 2009, I have had the great privilege to meet some of the drivers including, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Felipe Massa and Heikki Kovalainen. I’ve also been lucky enough to talk to some real legends of the sport including Murray Walker, Sir Jackie Stewart and Eddie Jordan. This was
thanks to a McLaren sponsor who invited me as a guest. It was particularly enjoyable talking to Murray and Sir Jackie. I was talking for at least 20 minutes to each of them which was incredibly enjoyable. But unless you have access to the paddock or pit lane, it’s difficult to see anyone famous from the Formula 1 world.
thanks to a McLaren sponsor who invited me as a guest. It was particularly enjoyable talking to Murray and Sir Jackie. I was talking for at least 20 minutes to each of them which was incredibly enjoyable. But unless you have access to the paddock or pit lane, it’s difficult to see anyone famous from the Formula 1 world.
But what about the cost?
It’s quite simple, it will be as expensive as you want it to be. You can get general admission tickets and a cheap hotel, or full paddock access and a 5 star hotel. With so many different types of tickets available, it’s pretty easy to meet a budget. In these difficult financial times, many people are struggling to justify spending money on a three day weekend, and I understand that. But I assure you, it is worth every penny, even just for the experience of seeing Formula 1 live, it’s like nothing else. It is just amazing and a million miles
from watching it on the television. The speed of the cars, the noise, the smell, the atmosphere, it’s an incredibly thrilling experience.
from watching it on the television. The speed of the cars, the noise, the smell, the atmosphere, it’s an incredibly thrilling experience.
What advice would you give about a trip to silverstone?
After 8 years of visiting Silverstone, knowing the place and what to do is second nature to me. But this is what I suggest to the Grand Prix virgin.
Firstly, take your own lunch. Go to a supermarket on your way to the track on Friday, put it all in a cool bag and keep it in the hotel or tent if you camp. Before you leave for the day ahead, make some sandwiches and take them with you, unless you want to spend nearly ten pounds on a cheese toasty that doesn’t taste
very nice?
Also get to the circuit with plenty of time to spare, the queuing traffic down the A43 on the way into the track is a nightmare if you leave it too late, you can sometimes be queuing for half an hour or more before you even head into the Silverstone complex. Their is nothing more frustrating than hearing the F1 cars on track while your queuing in the car listening to radio Silverstone or BBC 5 Live.
My third tip is a simple one. Plan your trip. Don’t arrive at the circuit and think, right, where should we go, five minutes before the next session. The week leading up to the race, sit down at home with a map of the circuit and plan your weekend.
- If you have a roaming ticket, plan where you will sit and during which sessions. I would advise you vary it as much as possible. Then you get to see the cars flat out through different, challenging corners. Each corner at Silverstone is just fantastic, here is my top five favourite corners to see ( 5 Stowe, 4 Copse, 3 Village, 2 Club, 1 Luffield )
These are my tips if your thinking of going to the British Grand Prix. It is a truly thrilling experience and one I would certainly recommend to any Formula 1 fan. If you do go, enjoy it, have a great time and I hope you find my tips useful.
Firstly, take your own lunch. Go to a supermarket on your way to the track on Friday, put it all in a cool bag and keep it in the hotel or tent if you camp. Before you leave for the day ahead, make some sandwiches and take them with you, unless you want to spend nearly ten pounds on a cheese toasty that doesn’t taste
very nice?
Also get to the circuit with plenty of time to spare, the queuing traffic down the A43 on the way into the track is a nightmare if you leave it too late, you can sometimes be queuing for half an hour or more before you even head into the Silverstone complex. Their is nothing more frustrating than hearing the F1 cars on track while your queuing in the car listening to radio Silverstone or BBC 5 Live.
My third tip is a simple one. Plan your trip. Don’t arrive at the circuit and think, right, where should we go, five minutes before the next session. The week leading up to the race, sit down at home with a map of the circuit and plan your weekend.
- If you have a roaming ticket, plan where you will sit and during which sessions. I would advise you vary it as much as possible. Then you get to see the cars flat out through different, challenging corners. Each corner at Silverstone is just fantastic, here is my top five favourite corners to see ( 5 Stowe, 4 Copse, 3 Village, 2 Club, 1 Luffield )
These are my tips if your thinking of going to the British Grand Prix. It is a truly thrilling experience and one I would certainly recommend to any Formula 1 fan. If you do go, enjoy it, have a great time and I hope you find my tips useful.
silverstone 2012
I will be there myself, you can tweet me @TomWilkinson89. Ill be tweeting and reporting Live from the circuit throughout the whole weekend. You can read my race reports and features at www.wheelworldreviews.co.uk