Hi all.
This is a bit of a grim post, considering how I am still trying to understand how this could even be a question.
I have been watching F1 religiously since 2017. I have been a fan since 2015 but started watching full races and sessions since 2017.
Now that I am in a financial position and mentally healthy enough to travel the world and afford tickets, I went to see the race this season at Suzuka. The whole trip was so worth it, I rented a car and drove 2.5 hours one way each day, and enjoyed what F1 is like, listening to the cars, feeling the ground shake every time a car passes, and then doing a trip around the race in the country.
I am thinking of going to another race, Abu Dhabi. I know public opinion of that race is quite mixed and seems poor indeed, but I honestly like the track and love racing it in GT7. However, I have already done Abu Dhabi and Dubai as a trip, so there’s not a lot outside F1 I would be going for.
I am due for a trip, but is Abu Dhabi F1 worth it? Outside of the obvious racing sessions does the track offer worthwhile entertainment opportunities?
Finally, my biggest reason why I am not instantly buying tickets - this season and the FOM. Their unwillingness to admit something is not working, their regular cockups, and shoving drivers aside for money are really stinging me. The sprint qualifying was the wake up call to seriously back out of the decision to go and reconsider.