The last-minute rush to buy tickets for next weekend’s European Grand Prix in Valencia is on as Fernando Alonso and the Renault F1 Team will now be racing as their disqualification was overturned and they have instead been fined $50,000 by the FIA. Pressure had been put on FIA by both Renault and European Grand Prix organisers Valmor Sports who had complained that disqualifying two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso was “unfair on his fans” and stressed that the majority of Spanish people who have already bought tickets for the Formula 1 Grand Prix had only done so to see Alonso in action on home turf!
Ticket sales received a boost following the announcement that Michael Schumacher was coming out of retirement to race for Ferrari but stalled after he withdrew due to not having recovered from neck injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash earlier in the year. However, those thinking of going should note that the majority of the less expensive tickets have been sold with the least expensive admission to be had for around €500 with the average price double that!
Last year, many visitors complained of a lack of parking and transportation to the circuit, poor lines of sight, Big Screen Televisions that could hardly be described as ‘big’, beer selling at €9.00, unsanitary bathroom facilities and huge prices being asked for hotel rooms and apartments! On the plus side, many lessons were learnt from last year and so things should be smoother next weekend. My advice, go for the practice and qualifying sessions and enjoy Sunday’s race on your own big screen TV. The advantage for those of us on the Costa Blanca is that we can at least drive there and back on the day and if you’ve never experienced the noise of a F1 race, it’s a perfect opportunity to do so.
Keith Nicol
