Which F1 Grand Prix for DH's 40th?

[BlowDryRat]

DH is a big F1 fan but hasn't been to a race. His 40th is coming up next year and I was thinking of buying him tickets, but don't know where to start.

We're in day-trip distance to Silverstone so that would be easy, but there are various tickets types and opinions on where's best to sit. BIL is also into F1 and says Silverstone is ridiculously expensive for a mediocre view and you get much better value going abroad.

My budget is around £3k. Any wise MNers with recommendations?

Spa is my DPs favourite. It rained but he said it was the best value and good views.

Dp also had a work jolly where he visited the red bull area at silverstone (not sure of full details) and had amazing views but he still says Spa is the best experience (probably because he was with his mates)

I've been to Spa, without seated tickets and tbh I've had swimming lessons where Ive got less wet. It's an amazing circuit but dear god the rain.

Zandvoort would be a good one as well could combine it with a visit to family nearby. The prices look a bit less crazy than Silverstone too.

I didn't even realise Belgium had mountains! It's been pretty flat whenever I've visited.

I just asked him if he supports any particular team. "Not Ferrari" apparently.

He definitely won't like any of the Italian tracks then 😂

My DH’s birthday is in December and so when he turned 50 we went to the F1 in Abu Dhabi. this was a few years ago and I booked it all (without him knowing) through Thomas Cook Sport, but I don’t think they exist anymore. We had a fabulous time in Dubai and at the F1. They had bands on at night (Blur and Florence and the Machine) so it was a really busy weekend .

Why does no one ever suggest Austria?! It's so underrated!

@steelseries I won't go anywhere there will be a sea of orange 😂😂

Spa!

My dh and ds (both huge fans) went there for the 3 days last summer (ds's 21st present) and had an absolute ball, got seats in the covered section at Eau Rouge with a big screen and ds is still talking about it! Cheaper than Silverstone too.

My DH would love to go to Monaco but I can't see it being practical for us.
He took DS when he was the right age for a free ticket though and they both had a blast (apparently not too loud for sensory sensitive DS, go figure).

I've done Silverstone and Abu Dhabi.
There's only one clear choice to which one I'd do again 😂
Silverstone it pissed it down the whole time. Whereas Abu Dhabi we had a few days break as a holiday too (stayed in Dubai)

Spa.
It's amazing, I went a few years ago.

Getting tickets for Zandvoort is really hard. You basically enter a draw, this year is already sold out. If you want seated tickets, Zandvoort is pretty expensive too, General Admission tickets get you a spot in the dunes. I think it'd be around a grand for the weekend for decent-ish seats.

I think I might just keep life easy and go for Silverstone tickets. I was looking at grandstand or Racing Green tickets. Any ideas?

We did Monza too. Great weekend. Well organised but v hot! Loved it.