[Closed] Anyone ever done Belgian F1 Grand Prix?

the Grandstands that overlook Eau Rouge are pretty pricey from memory, but there are couple of grandstands on the back straight where you can get a decent view to entrance of it without crippling your credit card.

There used to be a general admission ticket, and there are some pretty good spots to watch from (but you need to get up pretty early to beat the German fans...) the weather can suck; I was there for a couple of times when the 1000kms race in the 90's/early 00's was re-run and once weekend it never really rained, but just drizzled the entire time, cold and slightly damp all weekend. Take the most comfy sturdy boots you own.

I did it with a group of friends 5 or so years ago.

We drove and camped which was great fun, although it may not be for all.

The Dutch contingent is massive and to say they like to party would be an understatement - huge sound systems, bars etc. Although it may be that it was just the field we were in.

The roaming ticket allows access to huge areas of viewing, more so than any other circuit, I seem to recall.

It is, as you say, in the middle of nowhere so I can't offer any help on the hotel idea, I'm afraid.

We all had a blast though.

Not F1, but Spa is a fantastic spectator track. I have visited several times and watched the WEC race in 2015. I stayed at a guesthouse close to the Nurburgring which was owned by a mate and drove over each day.

It is in the back of beyond and I would imagine the traffic would be awful for a really big event like F1.

The bar on top of the pit building is the place to be but there are lots of great viewing points around the track.

Went to the 2010 race, really enjoyed it.

It is relatively remote, no big towns nearby so it has a provincial feel to it. I stayed in a small hotel/large house in Malmedy (now closed) as there was no way I was camping with the fickle Spa weather! I travelled from South Wales so driving was the best option for me, also meant I had my own car to travel around as I pleased. Was about 4 hours drive from Calais plus a few stops as I took the scenic route.

Worth doing just to tick it off the list of you're an F1 fan, just be prepared for any weather at any time. Oh and the first sight you get of Eau Rouge will be an eye opener, it's bloody steep!

I have , back in the 90’s.
We had aaa passes(top blagging)and the views were amazing(especially inside!the tight hairpin!). We stayed in some lodges in the forest nearby. Didn’t take that long to get there..I distinctly remember the main drag was carnage after the race- lots of extremely drunk Germans.

I went in 2009. If you're close to Dover / in the SE I wouldn't contemplate doing anything but drive - its an easy drive from Calais.

We camped not far from the circuit (kept our beer cold in the river that Eau Rouge is named after!)
Had a GA ticket - as above - take decent walking shoes. Its a huge circuit to walk round - with some gradient (that you don't appreciate on the TV). but what a place to watch an F1 car. Incredible. Must visit for any motorsport fan, IMO.

Re: nightlife. we got a very expensive taxi to the town of spa. The campsites are "lively" - although if you research quiet ones are available

Yes, we drove and camped a few years back. I cycled to the track through forests from the campsite to pick up tickets for my wife (the fan) and my son. They got a bus from the campsite on race day. Excellent atmosphere at campsites and Helen really enjoyed the race. I think they had to get to the circuit first knockings to bag a decent viewing spot.

Ridden it on motorbikes several times. We usually stay just outside malmedy. Amazing track

I'm planning on going in 2020 for a big birthday treat. Possibly looking at renting a camper van for a week and taking in the French and Belgian WW1 memorials.

We went 5 years ago. With a general admission ticket you can see most of the track and from some points on the circuit you can see multiple parts of the track due to the elevation changes. Way better than Silverstone.

We camped at the circuit which is ok if you like to party and don't want to sleep. The Germans bring massive speakers, fireworks, sofas, firepits paddling pools and stay up all night launching fireworks next to your head and playing music so loud you can feel it.

There is a small campsite down the road just outside spa which I have stopped at not on the F1 weekend. Might be a better option but book in advance if you do it's not very big.

Prepare for anything from getting soaked by thunderstorms one minute to sunburn the next.

I would do it again.

I did the general admission option a few years ago and i'd really recommend it!

Went for the whole weekend so on the Fri/Sat we walked the entire track, then picked our favourite spot (the straight after Eau rouge) to watch the race. Post race they open the track up so you can go for a wander up Eau Rouge and see how steep it is.

If you plan on this take decent shoes as it's a fair trek in the hills to get round.

Stayed in a hotel in Germany! Hour up the autobahn at silly speeds makes a nice commute and much easier to find accomodation, plenty parking options both at the track and random fields in town to ditch your car.

Great weekend, and "cheap" for F1!

As above, for the race try and get there early as the best spots will fill up quick, bu there's loads of options so you'll always get somewhere to watch but perhaps without a TV screen to view to keep an eye on the entire race.

Enjoy!

OK cheers all. It's my mates 50th, may roll the boat out and get some grandstand tickets. Some good tips. Thanks again.

Stayed in one of the campsites just outside the track. Mega track to spectate at, we ended up at the top of Eau Rouge almost every day. It's a long track and got very busy so once we'd done our initial wander round everything during practice we picked our point and set up there every day.

Ripped the backside out my shorts on the way in one day and had to sit with my jacket tied round my waist, was freezing by the end of the day. Then the soles fell off my boots on the way out the circuit.

Was one of the quieter campsites, was quiet enough but still managed to get absolutely hammered with some lads in the campsite. Was a great laugh until packing up the campsite and a massive drive home the next day which I wasn't taking any part of the driving until we were well through England on the way to Scotland.

Would definitely recommend it. The camping option was great there too, just being able to walk in without having to worry about someone being sober or catching a busy bus was great.

OK cheers people. Not sure the people I'd go with are the camping types. Is driving in every day an option? I took a look at the map and places like Liege and Aachen are within an hours drive?

I've never been but I've passed by on the way elsewhere and the queues look massive but well managed.  Might depend a bit on how much you like sitting in a car.  Looked like there were VIP/bus lanes as well so it might be worth investigating busses from wherever you want to stay

My sister lives in Silverstone and she went!

I’m a bit of a regular at the Belgian GP so feel free to drop me a message. Been the last few years on the trot and before that as back as 2002. We’ve done various things but always stayed near the track.

You can stay in hotels and there are biggish towns within an hour but the problem is that the roads around the circuit aren’t built for that amount of traffic, so they are delays, especially after the race. The best option is to camp. There are some pretty good “glamming” spots with pre-built tents/tepees. However a good English-speaking (plenty Scandis etc make it good natured) non-rowdy camping spot is the Elephant Campsite. You can walk from the pit entrance in about 30mins (or Hamilton’s PA will give you a lift as she did for us last year).

FOr seating, GA tickets are cheap and good, there’s plenty of options. Kennel straight is pretty good. We spent last year on the rocks over the bus stop but had to get there at 6.30am! THis year we treated ourselves to gold seating overlooking the pits which was fabulous. Next year we are at Eau Rouge. There is 10% discount on until the end of the year I think.

You’ll love it.

@ferret That's good advice. Thank you.