Who Knew? F1 Teams Discover That Ticket Prices are Too High

[cosworth151]

We have a series of TV adverts here in the States with a character named Captain Obvious. This looks like some of his work.

Formula One team bosses have identified high ticket prices as a major problem for the sport. Gee, who would have guessed that?

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/formula-one-team-bosses-identify-sky-high-ticket-prices-major-problem-sport

[Scott]

No kidding.  Weekend main grandstand costs almost 800Euros in Monza for next year.  The seat I bought 3 years ago for just under 400, now costs 570Euros for the weekend.  Place is a pig sty and drinks cost another arm and a leg...security are paid to remove any food and drink from your bags on entry, not really dangerous stuff, but ensures you go spend another 50Euros on a couple beers and some food.  Food is total crap.  I'm sorry, but I could stay at home, buy a new laptop for the money saved and also save a big IOU to my wife...really not interested in getting fleeced much more by Bernie.

[Ian]

That was 4 years ago Scott, 2010, unless you went the following year as well. I didn't think the prices were too bad, 5 Euros for a beer or a big hot dog, I was expecting it to be dearer than that.

[Scott]

You're right Ian, it was 2010.  I remember paying 8Euro for a Pepsi. 

But there's nothing that can justify a €180 increase in seat price.

[Ian]

That is dear Scott, glad I can't stand the stuff.

[John S]

I've thought about going to the actual race day of British GP, however the sky high cost has always brought me back down to earth. 

I settle for the occasional Friday visit, three so far in the last 6 years, all the atmosphere of a big race day but about 60% of the crowd and for a price I can afford.
Once a couple of years back I managed to blag a ticket from a family relative for Saturday Quali - wished I'd stayed home and watched TV, you only get small portion of track to view, the parking queues are strength sapping, and the bloody wind - even in July at Silverstone chills you to the bone.   

I prefer to go to BTCC meetings, more racing action, more accessible - both getting into car parking and watching track action- and a hellava lot cheaper. Been to Brands, Donnington, Rockingham and Silverstone for touring cars, would like to go to Thruxton & Snetterton in the coming years.

   

[cosworth151]

I've mentioned before how a race day only, no seat, no parking ticket to COTA is far more expensive that my four day, great seats, parking & box lunch included ticket for the last F1 at Indy cost. And, of course, Indy was a much better overall experience than COTA could ever even dream of offering.

I think Bernie doesn't really want any of us riff raff hanging about his races, anyway.

[Scott]

You're probably right Cos...if they did away with the grandstands there would be room to expand the Paddock Club facilities.   

[Jericoke]

I've mentioned before how a race day only, no seat, no parking ticket to COTA is far more expensive that my four day, great seats, parking & box lunch included ticket for the last F1 at Indy cost. And, of course, Indy was a much better overall experience than COTA could ever even dream of offering.

I think Bernie doesn't really want any of us riff raff hanging about his races, anyway.

I still think not making F1 work at Indy was the biggest mistake I've seen Bernie make.  It's a massive facility, a willing fanbase, operated by people who love racing, and have a history of providing a top notch fan experience.

The short run of taking a few extra million dollars in race fees as versus the long run of a race that would become a solid entry in the calander which would ultimately generate billions for F1...