If you're looking for a cheap race in Europe, then try Hungary. I've been there with my son last year. We're from the Netherlands, but going to Zandvoort costs roughly the same as Hungary. If you want to see almost all of the overtakes, then pick the GOLD 4 stand. You have a great view on turn 1 (where 90% of the overtakes are), view on pit exit and the cars slow down from 300+ km/h to about 90 km/h. Very impressive and a great trip.
I’m actually planning to go there! do you have any advice about where to stay and how to get to the track? is it too far to travel from the center of budapest with public facilities?
18:02 "just pick a reason of something you're interested in and that's your reason to go somewhere" is my main takeaway from this video. I'm not a F1 fan but this is such a great video to watch. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Also those two German dudes are the best. Definitely made your experience much more enjoyable, and you just made two great friends!
I just texted my wife this video saying we're doing this next year. The costs, services and accommodations seem much more economical and enjoyable than the overpriced circuits in America. Plus she speaks some Farsi and Arabic so great excuse for her to agree is to practice 😉
Since I reside near Austin, Texas I have attended the COTA race four times. Having not to pay airfare nor for a hotel, I buy grandstand seats, which is $1,400.00. Though attending a F1 race is like going to the circus. Seen one circus, seen them all.
"doing more things in person" really caught me in the gut. So tempted to head to the airport right now and take the first flight to some country I've never been to. Love the German instant friends.
I've always heard and lived by: if you don't have anyone to go with, just go alone. You'll typically find people on the same page as you. You'll also make new friends in a natural way.
In motorsports, we are all together. I flew out of Bologna to Heathrow after a WEC race and it was hilarious how everyone just got on. It was like a party plane of strangers who immediately became best friends.
Totally agree! Did some friends along the way at the Abu Dhabi grand prix last year! Wherever you are, thanks to the young lady that shared one of her airpods so we could both hear the f1 tv commentators live!
There are people who love F1 but could never afford a ticket,so channels like yours gives them a taste of a F1 weekend,and shows that its not overly expensive, hopefully they're people saving for race nearest to them☘️🇮🇪
I was part of the engineering team that designed KAIA (Jeddah Airport). The reason it seems so empty is that it is the main airport for Makkah so during Hajj it is the busiest airport in the world for about a month. The rest of the year it is way to large for the number of passengers that pass through it. Jeddah is much more known as a seaport.
From an introverted, anxious style person's perspective, I am in awe of how you did this trip. Last minute flights, almost zero research, and such a frivolous attitude walking around. I aspire to be this level of easygoing. The video is great, man
As an introverted person myself I think you're confusing two different things. I'm an introvert I tend to be alone and I'm very easygoing and not stressed. I've been around Asia and Europe by myself I moved to China etc etc . the main place I don't feel comfortable is back home :) the place I became the introverted person I am
TH-cam recommended me this video and watching you enjoy your first race live was heartwarming. I've been to the race track four times (2005, 2006, 2022 and 2023), and every time has been an amazing experience. The people attending is so friendly and it doesn't matter what team or driver they support, you can have a nice chat with anyone about F1. And watching the cars live, the sound of the engines roaring, the tires scretching, the smell on the braking points... It gives me goosebumps every time, I honestly will never grow tired of it. So watching the sheer joy and passion you were feeling throwed me back to that moments. And it made me think about going to Bahrain next year instead of staying here on Spain!
$3500 for that much travel, water front hotel, good food, great company, and a generous country. I think $3500 was a bargain. Well done, and thank you. I enjoyed the experience!
Bernie is a true G. He married an almost 40-year-old younger girl from Bosnia and when they came to Belgrade 20 years ago I saw them when they came to visit her family and to buy some property. Bernie is an F1 it self saw them 15 years ago
What a fun time! You visited a country you’ve never been to, stayed in an awesome hotel, and you met friends for life and an invitation to meet up for a European race. And free beer for your European race! LOL. Looking forward to your next trip where ever that will be. We’re happy that you’re bringing us along.
The best part of traveling is the friends you make. Even my mother at 68 on her retirement vacation to Europe fell into a group of travel friends! She still keeps in touch with them to this day.
As Mike said, it's not about a Formula 1 race. It's about not letting opportunities or moments pass us by. How many have said "I've always wanted to..." or "I wish I could..." What's stopping us? Even if we may not be able to do something right now, what steps can we take to make it happen? Thank you Mike for sharing.
Michael, as a Bahraini this video made me very proud of my country and how great tourists like you enjoy it! I'm very glad you liked it and hope to see you again soon because there are many more to see in our country! Our country is so small to the point that I knew each place you've been to! 😅 Great personality, coverage, and company. We hope to see you back soon! 🙏🏼🇧🇭❤️
Went to COTA last year with my Dad. Watching the race itself wasn't as good as watching on tv. However, everything else about seeing it live is amazing. The sounds, all the events going on around the track, the vibes of all the fans. It was an awesome time. Hoping to go to the Vegas race next year.
I've been to around 20 Grands Prix since 1975, and you're right: the in-person experience is not to be missed. But I'm older now and I'm satisfied to watch on TV, in part because TV coverage is vastly superior to what it used to be! Ironically, I've been to the most races in Canada, and Montreal is a great place to visit in June (even if one doesn't speak French, or whatever it is that the French claim that they speak in Quebec). My last race was in Austin in 2015, and the view from the turn 12 grandstand was the best I ever had at any GP. If you can afford Texas prices, consider it (especially if you can driver there rather than flying), but if you want to go to a race in Europe, I'd suggest Spa; just bring a poncho.
My best GP by far was the 86 Mexican GP first one in 16 years. I got into the pits using my California Malibu Grand Prix holographic gocart license 😅😂😊 I ended up getting into the Benetton pit met Luciano Benetton who gave me 3 sweaters and fed me this insane lunch. Also gave me a team mechanic embroidered shirt🤯. I was walking around the course and the stand's wearing a Marlboro t shirt from the long beach GP and all these people kept coming up with pen and paper for autograph, I raced motocross but wasn't anyone special. Then I met Clay Regazzoni and one of his friends said that all these people thought I was Keke Rossberg 😱 I didn't speak any Spanish but I used it to my HUGE advantage for the weekend 😏. Then back in the pits I met Gordon Murray in the Brabham pit and he also gave me an embroidered mechanic shirt. So in 86 the economy was crashing so much banks were only open 3 hrs a day and I learned after exchanging 200$ that the next day the amount of pesos was much higher so WOW I had such a good time with the Benetton team I went back and met Flavio Briatore and they're new young driver Gerhard Berger, he was very cool so I kinda picked him for the win, though he'd never won before nor had the team. Well my taxi driver was a connected man and I said I wanted to place a bet on Berger, he took me to this big house up in the mountains and I met Pedro who was a bookie. I put 40$ US on Berger and went on to watch the race. Well Gerhard Berger and the Benetton team won the first race of their History. Apparently he was at 300 to 1 and I won 12,000$ Pedro the bookie said congratulations and don't come back. I gave my taxi driver 2k and have memories and memorabilia for a lifetime ❣️🤯😱🙏🏁🏆
@@jimpern 💯%🎯 I'm sure I got in because they hadn't had a race there in 16 years and with their huge earthquake the fall prior so many were out of work. I think they hired many from the local community, I do have to say finding out the folks were asking for autograph because they thought I was Keke cracked me up but I did get a very lucky date😏 with a beautiful blonde blue eyed Mexican girl quite literally in the middle of the course, if you ever go to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez it's built around like 8 soccer pitches and we had fun on the grass.❣️🙏🏆
Can we just have a massive applause for Vincent en Sinan! those guys are amazing! those 2 make me proud of being a european (belgian myself) we’re not all bad people 👏🔥 btw, you have a new sub 🙏
Bad people?!?!! In Europe?!?! Nah bro, y’all are awesome! The only time I’ve ever felt bad being in Europe was in France. They were a little rude to me when I tried to speak my broken French to be polite. But that could have just been a one-off…maybe I caught that area in a bad mood. I’ve been all over Europe and I think nicest people I met were in Germany although admittedly I’ve never been to the Netherlands….that’s next. I want to go to zandvoort since I’m a pretend-Dutch member of the orange army! 😀 I live in Colorado and I did the math…to go to COTA OR Vegas would cost me over $10,000 for tickets, travel, room and board…to fly to the Netherlands and watch the race there, total, would be LESS than watching it in my home country! The demand is just too high here in the US and even with 3 races, us normal middle class people are priced out of the races. Three races may seem like a lot to one country in Europe, but when your nation has 350 million people in it and is over 2,000 miles wide….it’s not so many races after all.
@@mamavswild trust me, the only time we love to go to france is for holidays nothing else. me personally don’t like the attitude from most of the french people i’ve met going there.
After living in Germany (Bitburg) for 3 years in the USAF, close to the Lux and Belgium borders, I can easily say I never met anyone I didn't like. I heard Paris was bad, but with the amount of tourists, I'd be grumpy too. Lol
It has been decades since I have been to an F1 race in person. My experience is that fans everywhere are very friendly. Everyone at the track shares a love of F1.
As a kid in the 60s I was fortunate enough to be taken to the British GP at Brands. While Jim Clark and Graham Hill raced for the win, I played football with other kids in an adjacent field! I've since seen the folly of my ways....
Most people don't realise this, but you can tip your toes into similar experiences pretty much at home as well. Go out by yourself, meet people, be social and experience the random events as they happen. If you want something a bit more exotic, go to a nearby city and book a cheap airbnb for a weekend and do the same. Traveling is just an extra layer to that. You wouldn't believe the situations I found myself in when doing this for a few years right at my home country. Met my wife like that as well.
I'm sat in the stand next to the guy in this video and took a friend with me this year. The year before I went on my own and made friends with this fantastic group of people. Ended up hanging out with them all weekend. Hung out with them again this year and introduced my friend as well. Point I'm making is, GO FOR IT! Life makes amazing things happen when you just go for it and make yourself vulnerable. NATURE LOVES COURAGE
I went to the Suzuka GP from the UK and it's a similar distance. A Grand Prix is the perfect event to base a visit to a strange country around, it gives structure and purpose and the foundations of an itinery while enough freedom to explore in between. Also you never have to worry about what shirt people are wearing unless it's orange (not papaya), everyone is friendly and welcoming and not tribal.
My first F1 race was the 2006 Bahrain event. The experience was incredible and so memorable. I was lucky enough to be invited to a suite overlooking the starting grid, and will never forget the energy of the start of the race….having attended NASCAR, NHRA, sprint cars, super cross and numerous other motor sports, the start of an F1 race ranks among the most memorable. Glad you enjoyed the experience, the country, and was able to share the whole adventure with new friends and your followers.
booked tickets for my first NASCAR race in the front row...was like being passed by a runaway express train!...could actually feel the force of it push you back...then I saw that "Final Destination" movie....now I sit much higher!.....remember that wheel that flew over the entire grandstand at the recent Indy race?
Couldn't even afford $350 let alone $3500 so I'll just have to live vicariously through you Mike. Looking forward to your next meetup with Vincent and Sinan.
I loved watching the gradual crescendo of your excitement. I often travel alone, and the same thing happens. The wonderment of a new land and the unexpected outcomes can make one cautious, but keeping an open mind and a willingness to explore usually leads to the joy and excitement you expressed in your video. The German guys were the coolest. It's always nice to meet people and make a connection, seeing how much in common we have with others clear across the world. I so enjoyed watching your video. The energy was received.
I was born and raised in Bahrain. It’s such a great experience to see Bahrain getting the recognition it deserves. Also when you said a mere 16BHD for your ride. It struck me as OMG that’s expensive 😅
7:20 “Dunkin’ Donuts, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Starbucks, … I’ve arrived at the American Embassy here.” 😂😅🤣. SO TRUE! I think this is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard you say and I’ve watched dozens of your videos…. LOL!
TH-cam did its thing. I’ve never seen your content before today, but your energy, mindset, and overall fun/happy outlook have earned you a subscriber! Thanks for the video and keep it up!
The 2 German guys are really cool. You're lucky to have met them! Also im not a fan of racing but i love hearing the loudness of it. I think ide enjoy a race in person someday.
You meet so many different folks when you travel. A few of them will be real crud but you can dodge them on the trip and never think of them again. But you will also meet some real gems and those friendships will remain with you for all your lives regardless of where you all live in the world. 😊
@@theoztreecrasher2647 I spent 10 years straight traveling around Canada and the USA. I know. Made a lot of friends who I’m still friends with today. My next goal is over seas.
The German people are so awesome! Such friendly people wherever you go. It does not surprise me that they were quick to strike up a friendship with you. It looks like the people in Bahrain are very nice, too. What a beautiful, modern country. Looks like a great place to visit.
My first in-person race was at this year's Montreal Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and it was wild! The first thing that was starkly different between your experience at Bahrain and mine, was that Bahrain was MUCH more open and spacious! The circuit in Montreal was so packed tight with people that you are literally shoulder to shoulder with people anytime you're not in the grandstand. And I completely agree with you when you say that the sound and the feeling of the cars going by makes it worth it! We got to the track while practice 1 already started and when I heard the first car go by I actually looked up into the sky thinking that a jet went by lol! The wind noise and the feeling of the cars going by is like nothing I've ever experienced before. And I can't stress enough, the sound and feel of the engines, the smell of the hot brakes, the feeling of the cars going over the rumble strips *chef's kiss", something that I'll never forget.
Dutch GP would be my suggestion, probably a crazy atmosphere. I did Monza in 2019 and it was amazing, sat a parabolica with all the tifosi, i'll never forget it, I also really loved Italy, my girlfriend and I had a great trip.
I'm almost surprised you expected more people on your flight to be going to the race from NYC haha! With now 5 races in North America, it's so easy to see without the crazy travel. Headed to Montreal in June for just under $300USD. The big streets (Crescent for example) shut down for the weekend and it's a great party downtown. Highly recommend you experience it for yourself one year. SO much history in MTL!
Been to Montreal a couple times before for NYE. It is now my favorite North American City. Such a amazing time every trip. Always wanted to go to the race. Will hope to check it out in 24.
Attending F1 in person is great !!! While living in Italy, I went to Imola 2007 (San Marino) and Monza (2005/2007). If you think the current hybrids are loud, you sbould have heard those V8/V10's. The advantage for me was travel cost was low, due to living there, and at both circuits, I camped out in a Tent. The atmosphere was amazing, I met people from all over Europe. It's great that you were able to travel and attend the race for what you spent. It is a shame that the races here in the U.S. are as expensive as they are.
I went to Imola in 1994, I had a fantastic time and even got on the world tv feed during qualifying but it was a very sad thing for me too. My friend at the time worked for Ferrari F1 and even managed to get us a tour where I got to speak to some of the engineers.
@@TheTororist After looking back at my photos it was 2006, my memory got that wrong. LOL I do remember seeing the accident at the beginning of the race, can't remember who it was exactly, but the car got rolled heading towards the hairpin.
As a Bahrain resident watching this, I was trying to spot myself in that video, and its crazy to me that we were in the same Grand Stand , but overall great video, happy you enjoyed!
If you travel again for another race get the F1 app on your phone. Great commentary and live timing. And how awesome is meeting like minded people at these events! I still keep in contact with people I met in 2009 at the Nurbergring
This video makes me happy and takes me back to when I went travelling on my own. If you go around with a positive energy, open, with a smile, you do meet some great, friendly people like those brilliant German guys.
The sound of the cars is something you can't describe. Especially under braking. The WOOOOSH sound is just so awesome. Montreal is fairly affordable too. Cheaper than just your flight, but obviously going to a completely different country was probably worth it.
Doing more things in person is my motto lately as well! Was a NASCAR fan as a kid and I finally went to the Daytona 500 back in 2019 and then convinced my buddies to go back in 2022 and they loved it. Do things in person!!
My first F1 event was also in Bahrain, but last year. We went there because of the price, but mostly because it was a country we would never visit under any other circumstances. I am so happy we went there. Not just because of the race, but because of the country, people and overall experience. Totally worth it!
Went for the Bahrain GP this year as part of an impulsive plan too. Sat at the Turn One grandstand. Must say, Bahrain is just a perfect F1 destination. Some things you missed. There are free shuttles to/from the airport to many hotels and to/from the hotels to the circuit. Saves a ton of money. And the nightlife. It's pretty insane and wild too! Great video mate, lived my holiday again through this.
I did this race in 2022 and it was such a blast watching you get to enjoy the event this year. Bahrain was a lovely place to visit and I found the locals really nice. Great video 👌
You can actually get cheaper tickets than €300 and a lot closer to home, 3-day grandstand tickets to the Canadian GP in Montreal start at CDN$195-295 (though the cheapest ones I can find available at the moment are CDN$555 because the cheaper tickets are sold out). General Admission tickets start at CDN$175 by the way but I would not recommend them. Prices have really changed over the years, I paid USD$130 for three-day tickets to the 1994 San Marino GP with the race day tickets being gold level at the back of the starting grid!
I went to the Canadian GP last year for my first f1 race. I was able to walk within 3 feet of the track in the middle of turn 2. The noise and atmosphere was incredible
Very nice video and very happy that you took the “culture shock” which in this case was nowhere shocking. If you have the chance to come to the Netherlands when Zandvoort is happening you will be surprisingly shocked by the festival atmosphere. Also most people are urged to come by train. Imagine combining a train video with your German friends. Do a trip from Germany to Zandvoort. 🎉🎉 I really really enjoy this sudden turn in your channel. And love how “doing things in person” is very inspirational to a lot of people locked in the loop of work and being online.
In the UK for cheap you can go to Brands Hatch or Silverstone race circuits in June July August to watch classic cars and past F1 cars from the 70s and 60s race around the track. The roaring, wheezing and grunting sounds these beautiful monsters make feels fantastic.
I started doing this in 2019 for hockey. I take a trip each year to see the NY Rangers in a different arena. It's a great way to follow my favorite team (especially living in AK now) while exploring a new city!!
There are no better experiences than your first races. I was with my dad on the chain link fence for exploding funny cars for the Winternational drag races and we had bits of rubber in the bottom of our chicken bucket after sitting too close to the fence at the Darlington NASCAR race. Plus you illustrated the benefit of getting out there and risking travel to an unknown place and making friends along the way. Great adventure and great inspiration!
Exactly! It's just a feeling of excitement when your there not knowing what's going to happen. The smell of fuel and rubber in the air and the vibrations coming from the engines just shaking you are unreal.
Nailed it with the issues surrounding access to information while watching each session. We just did COTA last weekend, and until we got our hands on radio scanners to listen in, it was tough to follow. Mobile device bandwidth is choked up, and some places it’s hard to hear the announcer.
What a great video Michael! Good for you for just going and doing what you love! Meeting 2 new friends was a bonus and I have a feeling we will be seeing them again on one of your adventures!
I'm really enjoyed your video, even I can't stop smiling til now HAHAHA!! Thanks for creating this masterpiece. I can clearly feel how you felt during this trip, the excitement, nervousness, the atmosphere inside and outside the track and don't forget the most lovely part--made new friends and received an invitation for the race in EU!! Can't wait for your next wonderful journey in EU and meet with them again!
Fun video!! Looks like a great experience, but if you think this is loud, you should've gone a couple of years back, when they drove V8's. I went to Spa, Belgium in 2012 and 2015 and while the 2015 cars were impressive (same spec they drive now), the 2012 V8 were absolutely bonkers. One passing by was completely insane, but the entire field passing you by on race pace? Divine. No other word for it. Otherworldly. And impossible to be around of you were not wearing earplugs. Damn, i want to go back again!
This Texan is laughing at the steak dinner plate! Nice!! Love the swim off your balcony option! I totally agree with attending events...much more fun in person, well except for the heat...high cost...lol.
as a bahraini this video made me happy! glad you enjoyed your time here and you’re welcome back any time because theres so much you left undiscovered!!
As a very proud Bahraini, i am happy to see this video. We wish to welcome everyone to our country. I really wish i had known and welcomed you as my guest.
DownieLive has done it again and come up with a new adventure that was truly unpredictable. There's no way I would have guessed a Formula One race in Bahrain I didn't even know they had Formula One racing in Bahrain; I'd heard about their famous pearls and that's about all I knew. I will not even try to guess the next place you will turn up.
Those grandstand seats had an awesome view. From that point you can see almost all the areas of the track where passes happen. My suggestion for which race to go to in Europe is the Dutch Grand Prix. I think the Orange Army may have eclipsed the Tifosi as the craziest fans in F1. Great video, I will have to check out some more of your channel.
As someone who loves travel and experiences and also been to Bahrain I’m so pumped for you ! This was such a cool experience and I love that you have the courage to just go on your own. I’ve never been that courageous!
Omfg I LOVED that video!! I am a huge F1 fan and attended the F1 event at Indianapolis in 05-07. The Championship years of Fernando Alonso, the end of Schumacher at Ferrari and the rise of Lewis Hamilton. Arguably the some of the best F1 years. Your love of F1 is infectious!! Keep these amazing videos coming!!
yeah, me too...don't recall it being all that expensive...about the same as for other races there....back when the cars used to scream by and blown engines were common....
I've been to belgium and austria. And Austria is insane! It has everything. Atmosphere, nice people, pretty cheap {in my opinion}. And there are driftshows, helicopter show. Also you can see almost the whole track if you're uphill. Btw, Great video! Keep it up!
If you’re choosing a European race, I can recommend Belgium. I attended there in 2011 and the track and atmosphere are epic. General admission tickets are a solid choice as there are lots of natural viewpoints on the slopes around the circuit. Stay at a campground and you’ll meet tons of fun people (Hotels are probably gonna be hard to find and/or ludicrously expensive anyway) - that’s how we ended up getting rides to/from the track the Saturday and Sunday. Brush up on your French and public transport is good too. Zandvoort is currently top of my list, so that would be my next choice.
As a person who visits all countries in the Middle East frequently for work, my suggestion is that you should've attended the SAGP in Jeddah. It would've costed you the same or even less and the race calendar there is much more packed with activities and action. Plus Jeddah has more things to see and do as a city (minus the alcohol) when compared to Bahrain. I went to the 2023 F1 SAGP back in March and it was definitely worth it.
this video is super sweet. i don't really know what it is about it, but your positive energy is so awesome and seeing you connect with the country and people makes for a great video. also your voice is super calming, i feel very grounded listening to you talk lol. wish you the best
I started watching your videos because I'm a train fan, I continue watching your videos because I have become a Downie fan. I'm lucky that being a military veteran I have been all over the world and you are right, there is nothing like going someplace you never thought you would be and discovering new adventures. The Germans were great and I hope you take them up on the offer, I mean free beer, why the heck not? If you ever decide to become a NASCAR fan, my brother and I would be more than glad to show you around any race in the U.S. Thanks for sharing your adventures with all of us, I don't know where you are going next, but I know I want to be there!
Saw f1 at Circuit of the America's 4 times . Definitely not cheap, got a gen admission for $200 and a tower ticket for $25 . Stayed on the tower for the whole race . Best seats in the house with a birds eye view of the entire track. Saw Raikkonen win one year. F1 is epic in person
Damn, I'm going to Kenya for the Safari Rally and this is my first ever race and first time travelling alone, Europe might have been a better Idea but my schedule can only accommodate Kenya and Japan, I'm hoping I get a similar experience as you.
We were there too this year and it was the most amazing trip we could have had. To get there is pricey (we are from the Czech Republic) but it was SO WORTH IT. I wholeheartedly agree about everything you said. The people are friendly, the atmosphere is amazing, the circuit is really comfortable and affordable. Simply lovely experience and I would love to come back again. Never expected to enjoy Bahrain so much but we really did, the whole trip was great.
I've picked up on this a little late (!) Brilliant, Really enjoyed this, & you met the nicest Fellas along the way, Looking forward to the next one, next best thing to being there...Thanks mate, 👍
As a fellow Formula One fan I agree that it looked definitely WORTH IT!!! I just spent that amount of money for the same amount of time in Florida, and while I had a great time, it couldn’t have beaten your experience! So glad you enjoyed it so much! And Go Mercedes 💜 Love Lewis 💚
there are about 6 top drivers and teams...everyone else is just there to fill out the field...nice to see Alonzo finally get a decent car....and he's making the most of it!.....
The two German gentlemen are legends. They make Germany proud. Good for them
That’s for sure
They are Turkish Germans, sounds like.
Dude I got a week... Let's go
@@cilek9385 No they're not they are the most german sounding and looking germans ever lol. They dont look turkish at all
They were so good!
If you're looking for a cheap race in Europe, then try Hungary. I've been there with my son last year. We're from the Netherlands, but going to Zandvoort costs roughly the same as Hungary. If you want to see almost all of the overtakes, then pick the GOLD 4 stand. You have a great view on turn 1 (where 90% of the overtakes are), view on pit exit and the cars slow down from 300+ km/h to about 90 km/h. Very impressive and a great trip.
been to Hungary...everything there was dirt cheap when it was under communist control...i'm sure that's probably changed....
@@frankpienkosky5688 You are right. Please do not forget the inflation in Hungary which, now is almost everything cheaper in Austria...
Would not go there. To many Crashtappen supporters
Hungary is also such a beautiful place to visit. So might as well be able to combine it with your normal vacations.
I’m actually planning to go there! do you have any advice about where to stay and how to get to the track?
is it too far to travel from the center of budapest with public facilities?
18:02 "just pick a reason of something you're interested in and that's your reason to go somewhere" is my main takeaway from this video. I'm not a F1 fan but this is such a great video to watch. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Also those two German dudes are the best. Definitely made your experience much more enjoyable, and you just made two great friends!
Absolutely!
As a Bahraini, watching this video made me very happy. I’m happy you enjoyed our country so much. Please come again soon.
Looks so beautiful- perhaps it is the garden of Eden as they say! Best wishes and hope to visit soon!
A shame that f1 is racing in Bahrain.
@@markuss4133 it does
I just texted my wife this video saying we're doing this next year. The costs, services and accommodations seem much more economical and enjoyable than the overpriced circuits in America.
Plus she speaks some Farsi and Arabic so great excuse for her to agree is to practice 😉
Since I reside near Austin, Texas I have attended the COTA race four times. Having not to pay airfare nor for a hotel, I buy grandstand seats, which is $1,400.00. Though attending a F1 race is like going to the circus. Seen one circus, seen them all.
"doing more things in person" really caught me in the gut. So tempted to head to the airport right now and take the first flight to some country I've never been to. Love the German instant friends.
You won’t
@@congresssux9766 No need to be so negative
Do it! You won't regret it.
I've always wanted to go to the airport and just look at the board to see where the next flight is going and then go! 😂
Sorry, not your best idea. Not enjoyable to watch.
I am always surprised how fast people connect when you are travel alone - shows that we all have more in common than we expect.
100% kinda like flirting lol, you just flirt with everybody and eventually hit it off
I've always heard and lived by: if you don't have anyone to go with, just go alone. You'll typically find people on the same page as you. You'll also make new friends in a natural way.
In motorsports, we are all together. I flew out of Bologna to Heathrow after a WEC race and it was hilarious how everyone just got on. It was like a party plane of strangers who immediately became best friends.
making friends with the German dudes made the video 20x better. F1 races are always more fun together, because you can't get hyped by yourself!
Totally agree! Did some friends along the way at the Abu Dhabi grand prix last year! Wherever you are, thanks to the young lady that shared one of her airpods so we could both hear the f1 tv commentators live!
When is free beer?
ooh that is smart listening to f1tv commentators instead in english because you cannot understand arabic @@arkanos
I can't wait to see my first F1 race in Singapore 2024. ❤❤❤ I regret not getting the Suzuka 3 days pass next year.
I was just about to type this!
i love how you met the germans and all instantly became friends, and ended up all hanging out together. Racing brings the boys together
rich parents brought those boys together
@@STaTic8137 What?
@@STaTic8137 or maybe 668k subscribers to his channel
Family
@@STaTic8137 hahahaha stay jealous lad and you won't achieve anything in life
There are people who love F1 but could never afford a ticket,so channels like yours gives them a taste of a F1 weekend,and shows that its not overly expensive, hopefully they're people saving for race nearest to them☘️🇮🇪
I like the Irish flag emoji and nice job?😊☘️🇮🇳🇮🇪
Its better in the TV you can see everything, same as UFC
"AND THE BEER, THE WHOLE BEER, I WOULD PAY"
the fact that you got footage from your new friends in their own seats on race day is so SWEET I love it!
THAT was EPIC! Really good production!!! I thought I was the only one who noticed that!!!😊
You seem like the kind of guy I would definitely enjoy spending time with going to a F1 race. Really awesome and humble.
I was part of the engineering team that designed KAIA (Jeddah Airport). The reason it seems so empty is that it is the main airport for Makkah so during Hajj it is the busiest airport in the world for about a month. The rest of the year it is way to large for the number of passengers that pass through it. Jeddah is much more known as a seaport.
Super cool info! Thanks for sharing that!
and i believe that recently it had its busiest moment because of Hajj, right?
From an introverted, anxious style person's perspective, I am in awe of how you did this trip. Last minute flights, almost zero research, and such a frivolous attitude walking around. I aspire to be this level of easygoing. The video is great, man
Thanks! Good luck to you in your travels.
As an introverted person myself I think you're confusing two different things.
I'm an introvert I tend to be alone and I'm very easygoing and not stressed. I've been around Asia and Europe by myself I moved to China etc etc . the main place I don't feel comfortable is back home :)
the place I became the introverted person I am
@@eden5260 Introversion is a mindset and not dependant on geography...I assume you're not living in N.Korea...
Bahrain is nice
@@cm-kl2wx what are you even talking about, Where did you get the idea of Geography .
And no it isn't a mindset it's characteristics
TH-cam recommended me this video and watching you enjoy your first race live was heartwarming.
I've been to the race track four times (2005, 2006, 2022 and 2023), and every time has been an amazing experience. The people attending is so friendly and it doesn't matter what team or driver they support, you can have a nice chat with anyone about F1. And watching the cars live, the sound of the engines roaring, the tires scretching, the smell on the braking points... It gives me goosebumps every time, I honestly will never grow tired of it.
So watching the sheer joy and passion you were feeling throwed me back to that moments. And it made me think about going to Bahrain next year instead of staying here on Spain!
A European vlog with the Germans is a must do adventure... Please bring the rest of us for the ride. Thanks!
😎🚗🧝
Sinan - 110% serbian
agreed!!
Those German dudes were awesome and so friendly! You're lucky to have met them
agreed but dont like the profile picture 😉
I just hope they didn't decide on visiting the Emilia Romagna race after
Forreal I’d definitely take them up on that offer. They seemed super cool
A serious question, did you really have to subtitle them? I'm German myself so obviously I had no trouble understanding them.
@@Schnapsbrennor Me neither, their English was excellent.
You actually have a great view of the track! You get to see Turn 1, 2 and 3 action while also getting the action from Turns 9 and 10.
Great video. Fantastic to see a "normal person's" trip to F1 instead of ballers with out a budget. Cheers mate.
Thanks 👍
yeah because the average joe can just casually fly out for 2 thousand lol
$3500 for that much travel, water front hotel, good food, great company, and a generous country. I think $3500 was a bargain. Well done, and thank you. I enjoyed the experience!
wait till his college loan payments come due again!
For F1 it's definitely a bargain, for F1 in Belgium at Spa the price would be more than double.
Most importantly a safe country unlike Europe
@@davekurt1433 How is Europa unsafe?
@@frankpienkosky5688 Huh? He's Canadian. College is not expensive. I live in Québec and it was like 300$ per session full time 😅
That wasn't Bernie Ecclestone, that was Mohamed Bin Sulayem, the FIA President. Bernie was the owner of F1, which he then sold to Liberty Media.
Bernie is a true G. He married an almost 40-year-old younger girl from Bosnia and when they came to Belgrade 20 years ago I saw them when they came to visit her family and to buy some property. Bernie is an F1 it self saw them 15 years ago
Vincent and Sinan are legends. Looking forward to seeing you all reunite in Europe.
Germans in my experience have always been super chill. Sinan and Vincent 100% have that same vibe!
Sinan eing serbian af
@@8tonystark8 Surprise there are people with migration background in the second most favoured migration destination of the world after the US. 🖖
Vincent and Sinan are Ehrenmänner! 💪🏽
What a fun time! You visited a country you’ve never been to, stayed in an awesome hotel, and you met friends for life and an invitation to meet up for a European race. And free beer for your European race! LOL. Looking forward to your next trip where ever that will be. We’re happy that you’re bringing us along.
Just start a new channel where the 3 of you just hit every race together. I have a feeling people would watch.
That’s a great idea!
100%. You 3 staying in the same hotel, getting along and enjoyig is a sign. Sign of, to do more F1 races. You should do 👍
Hey, the Sinon/Vincent cam was good in this episode of Downie Live. There may be something here for us F1 fans
This is the best idea ever!! Please do this!!!
Better yet do a series with them
The best part of traveling is the friends you make. Even my mother at 68 on her retirement vacation to Europe fell into a group of travel friends! She still keeps in touch with them to this day.
As Mike said, it's not about a Formula 1 race. It's about not letting opportunities or moments pass us by. How many have said "I've always wanted to..." or "I wish I could..." What's stopping us? Even if we may not be able to do something right now, what steps can we take to make it happen? Thank you Mike for sharing.
Saudi’s dude…no booze
This should be pinned.
100% agreed, dont wait for something happen, just go ahead
Maybe 3500$ is stopping us?
@@anthonyscofield2294 $3500 its just challenge, you must win these challenges
Michael, as a Bahraini this video made me very proud of my country and how great tourists like you enjoy it! I'm very glad you liked it and hope to see you again soon because there are many more to see in our country!
Our country is so small to the point that I knew each place you've been to! 😅
Great personality, coverage, and company. We hope to see you back soon! 🙏🏼🇧🇭❤️
Went to COTA last year with my Dad. Watching the race itself wasn't as good as watching on tv. However, everything else about seeing it live is amazing. The sounds, all the events going on around the track, the vibes of all the fans. It was an awesome time. Hoping to go to the Vegas race next year.
Go to long beach gp down by turn one. High up in the grand stands
every travel agency has package deals to Vegas...you can get there cheap
I've been to around 20 Grands Prix since 1975, and you're right: the in-person experience is not to be missed. But I'm older now and I'm satisfied to watch on TV, in part because TV coverage is vastly superior to what it used to be! Ironically, I've been to the most races in Canada, and Montreal is a great place to visit in June (even if one doesn't speak French, or whatever it is that the French claim that they speak in Quebec). My last race was in Austin in 2015, and the view from the turn 12 grandstand was the best I ever had at any GP. If you can afford Texas prices, consider it (especially if you can driver there rather than flying), but if you want to go to a race in Europe, I'd suggest Spa; just bring a poncho.
im going to montreal grand prix this season!! I'm so excited and this makes me even more pumped to go!
My best GP by far was the 86 Mexican GP first one in 16 years. I got into the pits using my California Malibu Grand Prix holographic gocart license 😅😂😊 I ended up getting into the Benetton pit met Luciano Benetton who gave me 3 sweaters and fed me this insane lunch. Also gave me a team mechanic embroidered shirt🤯. I was walking around the course and the stand's wearing a Marlboro t shirt from the long beach GP and all these people kept coming up with pen and paper for autograph, I raced motocross but wasn't anyone special. Then I met
Clay Regazzoni and one of his friends said that all these people thought I was Keke Rossberg 😱 I didn't speak any Spanish but I used it to my HUGE advantage for the weekend 😏. Then back in the pits I met Gordon Murray in the Brabham pit and he also gave me an embroidered mechanic shirt. So in 86 the economy was crashing so much banks were only open 3 hrs a day and I learned after exchanging 200$ that the next day the amount of pesos was much higher so WOW I had such a good time with the Benetton team I went back and met Flavio Briatore and they're new young driver Gerhard Berger, he was very cool so I kinda picked him for the win, though he'd never won before nor had the team. Well my taxi driver was a connected man and I said I wanted to place a bet on Berger, he took me to this big house up in the mountains and I met Pedro who was a bookie. I put 40$ US on Berger and went on to watch the race. Well Gerhard Berger and the Benetton team won the first race of their History.
Apparently he was at 300 to 1 and I won 12,000$ Pedro the bookie said congratulations and don't come back. I gave my taxi driver 2k and have memories and memorabilia for a lifetime ❣️🤯😱🙏🏁🏆
@@Tilemason1 Lucky you! With today's security you probably wouldn't be able to do any of that nowadays.
@@jimpern 💯%🎯 I'm sure I got in because they hadn't had a race there in 16 years and with their huge earthquake the fall prior so many were out of work. I think they hired many from the local community, I do have to say finding out the folks were asking for autograph because they thought I was Keke cracked me up but I did get a very lucky date😏 with a beautiful blonde blue eyed Mexican girl quite literally in the middle of the course, if you ever go to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez it's built around like 8 soccer pitches and we had fun on the grass.❣️🙏🏆
@@mattpelletier6982 been to that one once in the early 80s when they had the Detroit GP the next week so really cost effective
Can we just have a massive applause for Vincent en Sinan! those guys are amazing! those 2 make me proud of being a european (belgian myself) we’re not all bad people 👏🔥 btw, you have a new sub 🙏
It’s not the people who are bad in Belgium, it are your roads. Daaaamn, when you’re going to fix those? Greetings from 🇳🇱
@@zacherius137 😂 can’t argue with that friend 👏
Bad people?!?!! In Europe?!?! Nah bro, y’all are awesome! The only time I’ve ever felt bad being in Europe was in France. They were a little rude to me when I tried to speak my broken French to be polite. But that could have just been a one-off…maybe I caught that area in a bad mood. I’ve been all over Europe and I think nicest people I met were in Germany although admittedly I’ve never been to the Netherlands….that’s next. I want to go to zandvoort since I’m a pretend-Dutch member of the orange army! 😀
I live in Colorado and I did the math…to go to COTA OR Vegas would cost me over $10,000 for tickets, travel, room and board…to fly to the Netherlands and watch the race there, total, would be LESS than watching it in my home country! The demand is just too high here in the US and even with 3 races, us normal middle class people are priced out of the races. Three races may seem like a lot to one country in Europe, but when your nation has 350 million people in it and is over 2,000 miles wide….it’s not so many races after all.
@@mamavswild trust me, the only time we love to go to france is for holidays nothing else. me personally don’t like the attitude from most of the french people i’ve met going there.
After living in Germany (Bitburg) for 3 years in the USAF, close to the Lux and Belgium borders, I can easily say I never met anyone I didn't like. I heard Paris was bad, but with the amount of tourists, I'd be grumpy too. Lol
Dude I could tell you were a fellow Cdn right away. Respectful, open to experiences, and happy. Love it.
It has been decades since I have been to an F1 race in person. My experience is that fans everywhere are very friendly. Everyone at the track shares a love of F1.
As a kid in the 60s I was fortunate enough to be taken to the British GP at Brands. While Jim Clark and Graham Hill raced for the win, I played football with other kids in an adjacent field!
I've since seen the folly of my ways....
Agreed. I'm Aussie who went to Austin and everyone was up for a chat and a good time.
I can't wait for the 100% EV formula one what an amazing yawn that is going to be! lol
@@ezragonzalez8936
Everything fun is being taken away.
@@ezragonzalez8936 There is formula E where it’s electric
I’ve always been afraid to travel alone but making friends along the way sounds like it would make the whole thing worth it!
Most people don't realise this, but you can tip your toes into similar experiences pretty much at home as well. Go out by yourself, meet people, be social and experience the random events as they happen. If you want something a bit more exotic, go to a nearby city and book a cheap airbnb for a weekend and do the same. Traveling is just an extra layer to that.
You wouldn't believe the situations I found myself in when doing this for a few years right at my home country. Met my wife like that as well.
I'm sat in the stand next to the guy in this video and took a friend with me this year. The year before I went on my own and made friends with this fantastic group of people. Ended up hanging out with them all weekend. Hung out with them again this year and introduced my friend as well. Point I'm making is, GO FOR IT! Life makes amazing things happen when you just go for it and make yourself vulnerable. NATURE LOVES COURAGE
I love traveling alone because you can be super spontaneous and you end up meeting way more locals and other travelers. Give it a try!
I went to the Suzuka GP from the UK and it's a similar distance. A Grand Prix is the perfect event to base a visit to a strange country around, it gives structure and purpose and the foundations of an itinery while enough freedom to explore in between. Also you never have to worry about what shirt people are wearing unless it's orange (not papaya), everyone is friendly and welcoming and not tribal.
we want go to Suzuka so you can give us some advice
My first F1 race was the 2006 Bahrain event. The experience was incredible and so memorable. I was lucky enough to be invited to a suite overlooking the starting grid, and will never forget the energy of the start of the race….having attended NASCAR, NHRA, sprint cars, super cross and numerous other motor sports, the start of an F1 race ranks among the most memorable. Glad you enjoyed the experience, the country, and was able to share the whole adventure with new friends and your followers.
booked tickets for my first NASCAR race in the front row...was like being passed by a runaway express train!...could actually feel the force of it push you back...then I saw that "Final Destination" movie....now I sit much higher!.....remember that wheel that flew over the entire grandstand at the recent Indy race?
Couldn't even afford $350 let alone $3500 so I'll just have to live vicariously through you Mike. Looking forward to your next meetup with Vincent and Sinan.
I hope you are a young lad lol.
@@bella_testastretta nope an old dame
@@terised what have you done with your life that you can't afford $3500 let alone $350 lol
@@bella_testastretta 😭 ahahahahah stopppp im creasing looool
@@bella_testastretta Ooooof out of touch MF
I loved watching the gradual crescendo of your excitement. I often travel alone, and the same thing happens. The wonderment of a new land and the unexpected outcomes can make one cautious, but keeping an open mind and a willingness to explore usually leads to the joy and excitement you expressed in your video. The German guys were the coolest. It's always nice to meet people and make a connection, seeing how much in common we have with others clear across the world. I so enjoyed watching your video. The energy was received.
I'm not into formula 1 but I love how excited all 3 of you were at the races! Its so cool to watch folks enjoying , really enjoying, what they love!
you've got to go at least once just to soak it all up....
I was born and raised in Bahrain. It’s such a great experience to see Bahrain getting the recognition it deserves.
Also when you said a mere 16BHD for your ride. It struck me as OMG that’s expensive 😅
I had a feeling he had to pay a hefty tourist tax on that one :D
lol he said 16 and i figured oh thats cheap af then saw 43usd and realized he paid the tourist tax
I'm glad you enjoyed! I go every year cause I live in Bahrain. It is usually very low key and less people go. This year was the busiest its ever been.
7:20 “Dunkin’ Donuts, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Starbucks, … I’ve arrived at the American Embassy here.” 😂😅🤣. SO TRUE! I think this is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard you say and I’ve watched dozens of your videos…. LOL!
He was all in for the drinks and found out about the dry airline really quick 😂
Scum muslim countries.
In the 90s one guy from work in the UK flew to Australia and found he was on a non smoking flight. Apparently he wanted to give up smoking!
He shouldve asked for a dry wine
TH-cam did its thing. I’ve never seen your content before today, but your energy, mindset, and overall fun/happy outlook have earned you a subscriber! Thanks for the video and keep it up!
The 2 German guys are really cool. You're lucky to have met them! Also im not a fan of racing but i love hearing the loudness of it. I think ide enjoy a race in person someday.
You meet so many different folks when you travel. A few of them will be real crud but you can dodge them on the trip and never think of them again. But you will also meet some real gems and those friendships will remain with you for all your lives regardless of where you all live in the world. 😊
@@theoztreecrasher2647 I spent 10 years straight traveling around Canada and the USA. I know. Made a lot of friends who I’m still friends with today. My next goal is over seas.
The German people are so awesome! Such friendly people wherever you go. It does not surprise me that they were quick to strike up a friendship with you. It looks like the people in Bahrain are very nice, too. What a beautiful, modern country. Looks like a great place to visit.
Germans are everywhere
Sinan is 110% serbian
@@8tonystark8 turkish german I believe, 99%
probably Bosnian but doesn't matter we are the same people@@8tonystark8
My first in-person race was at this year's Montreal Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and it was wild! The first thing that was starkly different between your experience at Bahrain and mine, was that Bahrain was MUCH more open and spacious! The circuit in Montreal was so packed tight with people that you are literally shoulder to shoulder with people anytime you're not in the grandstand. And I completely agree with you when you say that the sound and the feeling of the cars going by makes it worth it! We got to the track while practice 1 already started and when I heard the first car go by I actually looked up into the sky thinking that a jet went by lol! The wind noise and the feeling of the cars going by is like nothing I've ever experienced before. And I can't stress enough, the sound and feel of the engines, the smell of the hot brakes, the feeling of the cars going over the rumble strips *chef's kiss", something that I'll never forget.
Dutch GP would be my suggestion, probably a crazy atmosphere. I did Monza in 2019 and it was amazing, sat a parabolica with all the tifosi, i'll never forget it, I also really loved Italy, my girlfriend and I had a great trip.
I'm almost surprised you expected more people on your flight to be going to the race from NYC haha! With now 5 races in North America, it's so easy to see without the crazy travel. Headed to Montreal in June for just under $300USD. The big streets (Crescent for example) shut down for the weekend and it's a great party downtown. Highly recommend you experience it for yourself one year. SO much history in MTL!
Hell ya to Montreal. I went with my family back in 2016 and the festival atmosphere was amazing
Been to Montreal a couple times before for NYE. It is now my favorite North American City. Such a amazing time every trip. Always wanted to go to the race. Will hope to check it out in 24.
Awesome video. Glad you had a great trip.
great guys you met!! that's what matters when travelling to places. Its the people you meet and the connections you make! Simply Priceless!
Attending F1 in person is great !!! While living in Italy, I went to Imola 2007 (San Marino) and Monza (2005/2007).
If you think the current hybrids are loud, you sbould have heard those V8/V10's.
The advantage for me was travel cost was low, due to living there, and at both circuits, I camped out in a Tent.
The atmosphere was amazing, I met people from all over Europe.
It's great that you were able to travel and attend the race for what you spent. It is a shame that the races here in the U.S. are as expensive as they are.
I went to Imola in 1994, I had a fantastic time and even got on the world tv feed during qualifying but it was a very sad thing for me too. My friend at the time worked for Ferrari F1 and even managed to get us a tour where I got to speak to some of the engineers.
yeah the f3 and f2 now... 5x louder
there was no imola in 2007. it only came back in 2020
@@TheTororist After looking back at my photos it was 2006, my memory got that wrong. LOL
I do remember seeing the accident at the beginning of the race, can't remember who it was exactly, but the car got rolled heading towards the hairpin.
@groningen0507 for me when i went to sliverstone F2 is slightly quieter than F1
You are simitaniously checking off everything on my bucket list AND making me a bucket list!
7:35 that taxi guy way so sweet and fun and the fact he said “keep that energy all the time!” He was so sweet it warmed my heart how you too connected
As a Bahrain resident watching this, I was trying to spot myself in that video, and its crazy to me that we were in the same Grand Stand , but overall great video, happy you enjoyed!
If you travel again for another race get the F1 app on your phone. Great commentary and live timing. And how awesome is meeting like minded people at these events! I still keep in contact with people I met in 2009 at the Nurbergring
Oh, yes, good idea for sure
I am Bahraini and I go to f1 every year and it’s always good to see new people enjoy Bahrain
I am german myself and i feel the last sentence from vincent in my heart. No one is getting thirsty in germany!
This is truly one of the best F1 travel VLOGs I’ve watched. A great advert for Bahrain & Formula 1! 👍🏽 Glad you enjoyed your race weekend
This video makes me happy and takes me back to when I went travelling on my own. If you go around with a positive energy, open, with a smile, you do meet some great, friendly people like those brilliant German guys.
The sound of the cars is something you can't describe. Especially under braking. The WOOOOSH sound is just so awesome. Montreal is fairly affordable too. Cheaper than just your flight, but obviously going to a completely different country was probably worth it.
If you think that sounds good listen to the V12 era F1 cars
Thinking about going to the Canadian gp. Would only be a bit over 2 hours driving
@@Bull3tBikes those were rockets!!!
Doing more things in person is my motto lately as well! Was a NASCAR fan as a kid and I finally went to the Daytona 500 back in 2019 and then convinced my buddies to go back in 2022 and they loved it. Do things in person!!
This is so inspiring!! My sister and I have been wondering about this exact experience, and you just made it look phenomenal.
Sinan and Vincent were cool people to hang out with! 👏🏽
My first F1 event was also in Bahrain, but last year. We went there because of the price, but mostly because it was a country we would never visit under any other circumstances. I am so happy we went there. Not just because of the race, but because of the country, people and overall experience. Totally worth it!
im low key jealous on how lovely your trip looks! The Germans seem soo cool! Big fan! thanks for the vicarious experience!
Went for the Bahrain GP this year as part of an impulsive plan too. Sat at the Turn One grandstand. Must say, Bahrain is just a perfect F1 destination. Some things you missed. There are free shuttles to/from the airport to many hotels and to/from the hotels to the circuit. Saves a ton of money. And the nightlife. It's pretty insane and wild too! Great video mate, lived my holiday again through this.
did you calculate how much you pollute during that holiday or you don't care ?
@@GC-uq2pd brother in christ 🤦♂️
Glad you enjoyed our country!! These are great tips for him
@@diogooliveira7825 hey Diogo, sorry but I didn't understand what you meant
I did this race in 2022 and it was such a blast watching you get to enjoy the event this year. Bahrain was a lovely place to visit and I found the locals really nice. Great video 👌
I got chills in the segments you filmed by the track...even through my tiny speakers I'm more convinced than ever that I need to see a race in person
Very cool trip, but my favorite part was your new German friends! Can't wait for your European beer tour together 😆😆
You can actually get cheaper tickets than €300 and a lot closer to home, 3-day grandstand tickets to the Canadian GP in Montreal start at CDN$195-295 (though the cheapest ones I can find available at the moment are CDN$555 because the cheaper tickets are sold out). General Admission tickets start at CDN$175 by the way but I would not recommend them.
Prices have really changed over the years, I paid USD$130 for three-day tickets to the 1994 San Marino GP with the race day tickets being gold level at the back of the starting grid!
You’re genuinely giving me an idea to do this next year. From a fellow Canadian due for a trip - thank you
besides the 3 in the US, you've got Canada and Mexico city...all within reach
I went to the Canadian GP last year for my first f1 race. I was able to walk within 3 feet of the track in the middle of turn 2. The noise and atmosphere was incredible
Very nice video and very happy that you took the “culture shock” which in this case was nowhere shocking. If you have the chance to come to the Netherlands when Zandvoort is happening you will be surprisingly shocked by the festival atmosphere. Also most people are urged to come by train. Imagine combining a train video with your German friends. Do a trip from Germany to Zandvoort. 🎉🎉 I really really enjoy this sudden turn in your channel. And love how “doing things in person” is very inspirational to a lot of people locked in the loop of work and being online.
Zandvoort was and is Sold Out long ago.
We did Zandvoort last year. The organisation especially the train station were off the scale 😮
In the UK for cheap you can go to Brands Hatch or Silverstone race circuits in June July August to watch classic cars and past F1 cars from the 70s and 60s race around the track. The roaring, wheezing and grunting sounds these beautiful monsters make feels fantastic.
I started doing this in 2019 for hockey. I take a trip each year to see the NY Rangers in a different arena. It's a great way to follow my favorite team (especially living in AK now) while exploring a new city!!
There are no better experiences than your first races. I was with my dad on the chain link fence for exploding funny cars for the Winternational drag races and we had bits of rubber in the bottom of our chicken bucket after sitting too close to the fence at the Darlington NASCAR race. Plus you illustrated the benefit of getting out there and risking travel to an unknown place and making friends along the way. Great adventure and great inspiration!
Exactly! It's just a feeling of excitement when your there not knowing what's going to happen. The smell of fuel and rubber in the air and the vibrations coming from the engines just shaking you are unreal.
Nailed it with the issues surrounding access to information while watching each session. We just did COTA last weekend, and until we got our hands on radio scanners to listen in, it was tough to follow. Mobile device bandwidth is choked up, and some places it’s hard to hear the announcer.
What a great video Michael! Good for you for just going and doing what you love! Meeting 2 new friends was a bonus and I have a feeling we will be seeing them again on one of your adventures!
I'm really enjoyed your video, even I can't stop smiling til now HAHAHA!! Thanks for creating this masterpiece.
I can clearly feel how you felt during this trip, the excitement, nervousness, the atmosphere inside and outside the track and don't forget the most lovely part--made new friends and received an invitation for the race in EU!!
Can't wait for your next wonderful journey in EU and meet with them again!
Fun video!! Looks like a great experience, but if you think this is loud, you should've gone a couple of years back, when they drove V8's. I went to Spa, Belgium in 2012 and 2015 and while the 2015 cars were impressive (same spec they drive now), the 2012 V8 were absolutely bonkers. One passing by was completely insane, but the entire field passing you by on race pace? Divine. No other word for it. Otherworldly. And impossible to be around of you were not wearing earplugs. Damn, i want to go back again!
when everyone reaches for the ear plugs you know you're at a formula one race...at least that's what it used to be.....
This Texan is laughing at the steak dinner plate! Nice!! Love the swim off your balcony option!
I totally agree with attending events...much more fun in person, well except for the heat...high cost...lol.
as a bahraini this video made me happy! glad you enjoyed your time here and you’re welcome back any time because theres so much you left undiscovered!!
Your country sure looks beautiful! I'll visit someday soon once I save up money lol
As a very proud Bahraini, i am happy to see this video. We wish to welcome everyone to our country. I really wish i had known and welcomed you as my guest.
DownieLive has done it again and come up with a new adventure that was truly unpredictable. There's no way I would have guessed a Formula One race in Bahrain I didn't even know they had Formula One racing in Bahrain; I'd heard about their famous pearls and that's about all I knew. I will not even try to guess the next place you will turn up.
Those grandstand seats had an awesome view. From that point you can see almost all the areas of the track where passes happen. My suggestion for which race to go to in Europe is the Dutch Grand Prix. I think the Orange Army may have eclipsed the Tifosi as the craziest fans in F1. Great video, I will have to check out some more of your channel.
As someone who loves travel and experiences and also been to Bahrain I’m so pumped for you ! This was such a cool experience and I love that you have the courage to just go on your own. I’ve never been that courageous!
Thank you so much!!
Omfg I LOVED that video!! I am a huge F1 fan and attended the F1 event at Indianapolis in 05-07. The Championship years of Fernando Alonso, the end of Schumacher at Ferrari and the rise of Lewis Hamilton. Arguably the some of the best F1 years. Your love of F1 is infectious!! Keep these amazing videos coming!!
yeah, me too...don't recall it being all that expensive...about the same as for other races there....back when the cars used to scream by and blown engines were common....
I've been to belgium and austria. And Austria is insane! It has everything. Atmosphere, nice people, pretty cheap {in my opinion}. And there are driftshows, helicopter show.
Also you can see almost the whole track if you're uphill.
Btw, Great video! Keep it up!
14:10 “in Europe it’s all the same, everything’s green, there are mountains” as someone not from europe I can’t imagine getting bored of that haha
If you’re choosing a European race, I can recommend Belgium. I attended there in 2011 and the track and atmosphere are epic. General admission tickets are a solid choice as there are lots of natural viewpoints on the slopes around the circuit. Stay at a campground and you’ll meet tons of fun people (Hotels are probably gonna be hard to find and/or ludicrously expensive anyway) - that’s how we ended up getting rides to/from the track the Saturday and Sunday. Brush up on your French and public transport is good too. Zandvoort is currently top of my list, so that would be my next choice.
I agree, went there last year and its my best memory. Spa is just epic not only becaus of its history.
Naaaahhh, Monza's vibe is much better
As a person who visits all countries in the Middle East frequently for work, my suggestion is that you should've attended the SAGP in Jeddah. It would've costed you the same or even less and the race calendar there is much more packed with activities and action. Plus Jeddah has more things to see and do as a city (minus the alcohol) when compared to Bahrain. I went to the 2023 F1 SAGP back in March and it was definitely worth it.
this video is super sweet. i don't really know what it is about it, but your positive energy is so awesome and seeing you connect with the country and people makes for a great video. also your voice is super calming, i feel very grounded listening to you talk lol. wish you the best
Props to the people of Bahrain...so friendly and welcoming. Definitely hoping to visit one day..
I started watching your videos because I'm a train fan, I continue watching your videos because I have become a Downie fan. I'm lucky that being a military veteran I have been all over the world and you are right, there is nothing like going someplace you never thought you would be and discovering new adventures. The Germans were great and I hope you take them up on the offer, I mean free beer, why the heck not? If you ever decide to become a NASCAR fan, my brother and I would be more than glad to show you around any race in the U.S. Thanks for sharing your adventures with all of us, I don't know where you are going next, but I know I want to be there!
Saw f1 at Circuit of the America's 4 times . Definitely not cheap, got a gen admission for $200 and a tower ticket for $25 . Stayed on the tower for the whole race . Best seats in the house with a birds eye view of the entire track. Saw Raikkonen win one year. F1 is epic in person
The tower is only 25 more? No brainer. Assumed it was vip.
Damn, I'm going to Kenya for the Safari Rally and this is my first ever race and first time travelling alone, Europe might have been a better Idea but my schedule can only accommodate Kenya and Japan, I'm hoping I get a similar experience as you.
We were there too this year and it was the most amazing trip we could have had. To get there is pricey (we are from the Czech Republic) but it was SO WORTH IT. I wholeheartedly agree about everything you said. The people are friendly, the atmosphere is amazing, the circuit is really comfortable and affordable. Simply lovely experience and I would love to come back again. Never expected to enjoy Bahrain so much but we really did, the whole trip was great.
I've picked up on this a little late (!)
Brilliant, Really enjoyed this, & you met the nicest Fellas along the way,
Looking forward to the next one, next best thing to being there...Thanks mate, 👍
As a fellow Formula One fan I agree that it looked definitely WORTH IT!!! I just spent that amount of money for the same amount of time in Florida, and while I had a great time, it couldn’t have beaten your experience! So glad you enjoyed it so much! And Go Mercedes 💜 Love Lewis 💚
Holy cow! Last year I spent €120 for 3 days ticket to Imola(grass, no stands) and it was an amazing experience...
there are about 6 top drivers and teams...everyone else is just there to fill out the field...nice to see Alonzo finally get a decent car....and he's making the most of it!.....