Jayestravellingadventures

Last month I experienced the Dutch Grand Prix that was in Zandervoort and it was interesting. Especially compared to my last 3.

I went on my own for this one as a friend I was meant to go with could no longer go. Since when would that stop me?

I hopped onto my flight at Luton airport (bag drop off and security were so easy!). I landed at 2230 as my flight was in the evening and it got delayed. I took an Uber to the hotel which was €22.91 (£19.67/$26.65) and at the hotel I had to pay €80 (£68.69/$93.06) in tax. Due to the time the hotel the kitchen was closed so I ordered a burger. This took ages to arrive so the reception staff kept me entertained whilst I waited. They did offer to bring it to me when it arrives but I didn’t trust myself with not falling asleep! It finally arrived and I demolished it before getting into bed.

It was an early start so I was up around 8am, after some breakfast it was a 12 minute walk to the train station ‘Lelylaan’, from there I got onto the train and headed straight to Zandervoort. The train journey cost me €14.20 (£12.19/$16.52) each day which isn’t that bad at all compared to UK prices. It was then a 25+minute walk to the gate I needed to go to. The streets were full of banners, music and people dancing, it was a vibrant atmosphere.

The weather was… COLD! A different shift from the weather I have experienced in my last trips. The crowds were massive especially given it was only Friday. I decided to go and explore between the practice and sprint qualifying. This was a big regret because what should have taken me 20 minutes to walk to the fan zone, grab some food and be back in the General Admission area, took ne over 1 hour!! – There was no crowd control what so ever so it was carnage.

I decided to leave straight after the qualifying as I head a headache and I knew I had a long walk to the train station. There was a queue for the trains but it did slowly move so I wasn’t stuck there for long. What i have noticed is that Dutch people don’t queue like we do in the UK. I have never been touched, or pushed by strangers as much as I did this weekend. Once I got to the hotel I had some food and got straight into bed.

The mornings were repetitive with the journey so I wont bore you. I have been in a group chat with women who go to the grand Prix’s solo and either meet up with each other or use t for advice. Myself and a few others who where also solo and in GA decided to join forces and meet so we had our spot saved for Saturday and Sunday. This was a brilliant idea!

The queues were just as bad so I made the decision to sit for most of the day but grab some food and use the facilities when needed. The women were lovely and we got on so well the day flew by! Sunchita and Hannah were from the US and we completed the train journey together although we weren’t in the same hotel. We then met with Emily and Izzy at the track.

The food options weren’t great at the track, there was the same kind of food for each stall. So on Sunday I got a Chicken wrap which was probably the best option they had. and I ate that until after the race as I knew it would be chaos and it was. It was an early start on Sunday as I was in charge of getting a good spot, once the gates open people were running! But I managed to get a brilliant spot on the hill.

Thank god I brought a load of ponchos because when it rained… it rained!! And the bag size was so small and it was very strict in what you could bring. Luckily as I still had my surgical dressings on I was allowed to bring in chocolate and snacks.

The race was captivating especially when Max crashed a lot of people decided to leave. The heavens opened for a short period of time before the weather changed and became warm. Once the race finished we got to see Lando on the podium before making our way SLOWLY to the main stage to listen to some of the musicians.

We danced for a couple of hours and made some lovely friends with locals before calling it a night and saying goodbye to Zandervoort one last time. The train station was crazy!! Everyone seemed to have the same idea as us by leaving a few sets early. I was getting pushed and shoved before being allowed on the train like a packed sardine.

The next morning it was time to go home so I booked an uber again which cost me €29.53 (£25.35/$34.35), as it was an afternoon flight I could enjoy a slight lay in. The flight was delayed again (shock). But it was a simple flight and I managed to get home in one piece.

Overall the weekend was one to remember, with the people I was lucky enough to meet and the memories made. However, would I go back to Zandervoort if it was on again? NO! I’m not sure if it was because of it being the last one, if it was over sold or it was normal but for a 5foot female I did not feel as comfortable as I have been at other tracks. It just wasn’t one id rush back too unless there was some drastic improvements.

Anyway, my next F1 Journey is at Monza in September which I am incredibly excited for! So stay tuned for that one.

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