F1 Fanatic

Hi Mea Mea

I think you are referring to Fanvision (used to be Kangaroo TV) as I believe this is the only way you can receive the 5 Live commentary (you cannot receive it on a normal portable radio.) We had major problems with this last year, as did a lot of other people who paid for it. I am not sure if it is due to Monaco being a built up area as we have never had issues at other circuits. When we returned it to the collection office everyone was complaining about it not working. We had a lot of Americans on our grandstand who had all hired one and they were all having problems with it. The transmission was fine on the Thursday (although we were on the 7th floor for the day) but on both qualifying and race day which was on K high, we had part of the time when we had no signal at all which was really frustrating. The other downside was that at last year’s race 5 Live stopped transmitting when the race was stopped so when it was restarted there was no commentary from them. The other problem we had was that the device has to be returned to the office by a set time after the race. Unfortunately the problem with this is that it is above the train station and all the roads were blocked off by the police to control people going into the station. We managed to return it about 5 minutes before the deadline, I am sure a lot of other people did not. We complained about the lack of service, as were many other people in the office, and it was noted against the device details. We subsequently received a refund. Not sure if they will have taken steps to try and improve it for this year. Was about £100 for the 3 day hire last year.

Hi Mea Mea

I am not sure if you can hire them on the day, we booked in advance and then collected it on the first day we were in Monaco. Fanvision have their own web site and once the F1 season starts they will publish costs etc for the race. You can buy them, but unless you are attending other races during the year, this is an expensive option. There is commentary in English at the circuit, however, Monaco is one of the few circuits where due to it being a street circuit the noise levels are much higher as you are far closer to the cars so it can be quite difficult to hear what is being said. Having said that, there is a massive screen at the side of K grandstand so you can see who is in what position. The fanvision can be a little distracting from the race as you tend to keep looking at stats etc instead of concentrating on the race. The grandstand seats are allocated on your ticket- it will tell which part of K grandstand you are on – this is a massive granstand which goes around the harbour so it is split into sectors, eg 1, 2, 3 etc and it will then show you the row and seat number. The only day seats are not allocated is the Thursday when it is a case of first come first served seating wise. When you arrive at the grandstand they have stewards who show you to your seat and if someone else has chanced their arm at sitting there as they think it is a better seat than theirs they are soon moved on. You are very lucky if this is your first race experience, Monaco is an amazing experience.

Hi Mea Mea & Caroline

FanVision used to have booths in Monaco near the track where you could collect and return their units but stopped this a couple of years ago. Recently they requested feedback from their agents like us and asked us to vote for which races we wanted booths at (they won’t do all of the races) and I’m sure we were not alone in voting for this service to return to Monaco so hopefully they will listen. It is of no benefit to us really as, because we are ordering hundreds of units, they are delivered to us at the track for us to distribute to our guests…but it is much better for individual fans so fingers crossed.

Have fun in Monaco Mea Mea, what a great first race to attend.
Ed

I hope someone can share some local Nice accommodation knowledge, I’m in a bit of a bind!

I have my tickets to both quali (K1 high) and race day (K2 high) (thanks for the advice found on here) but I still don’t have any accommodation!!!! Can you recommend any hotels? Which websites should I look and book on? I’m flying into Nice on the 25th and leaving from there early on the morning of the 28th so I’m hoping to stay in Nice for the three nights and was keen to find somewhere near the train station for less than 200 euro a night (I’d like something cheaper if possible). I just need a bed in a clean, secure room, I don’t need ‘bells and whistles’.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Raymond

UPDATE: Accommodation booked at a B&B in Nice. I can’t wait be in the stands for my first GP!

Hi everybody. I’m looking for some info from someone who has been to the Monaco GP. I’ll be there this year and am hiring a car. I hear a lot about the train service from Nice to Monaco, but as I need to have the car anyway I would like to get my money’s worth from it. I hear there are several underground car parks in Monaco, but I imagine they are monumentally expensive over the race weekend. Does anybody know if it’s possible to park either cheaply or for free outside of Monaco and walk to the track? Either at a site set up for race fans or just on the surrounding roads?

Hi Raymond, glad you got yourself sorted for accommodation. If your B&B is located very close to the train station just keep your wits about you at night – Nice is the same as any other big city, the train stations can attract a certain type of person at night.

A side note for anyone travelling by train during the GP weekend, be careful in the station, on the stairs (a favourite spot for this), on the platform and the train itself – there are lots of pickpockets in operation especially when the trains are corded and people are close or you are carrying bags etc.

Hope you have fun at the GP Raymond.
Ed

Hi neil85

There is a little info on parking a few posts up in my reply to Thomas which might help. The telephone number for the parking office in Monaco is For more parking information call: (+377) 93 15 88 27.

You can park around Monaco and walk but, depending on when you are arriving, you will just need to drive around, pay attention to any signs outlining the restrictions (they don’t mess about in Monaco, they simply lift your car and take it away if you breach the regulations) and hope for the best. You could try Fontvielle, the area beyond the tunnel which forms part of the track towards the Monte Carlo Bay hotel or the areas above Casino Square towards Beuasoliel.

Hope that helps
Ed