I have never been to an F1 race but have tickets to some sort of race at Laguna Seca next month. I did pay $2hr to drive my new 88 turbo Daytona CS on the Hungaroring back in 88.
Long time ago now but my very first motor race was the 1969 Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport. I was 12. It was one of the first F1 races broadcast live on ABC as opposed to tape delay which they did a lot of when it came to motor racing back then. Jackie Stewart was on his way to his first F1 championship that year but he spun out and retired in the race. I remember seeing him go up to the broadcast booth for an interview after that. It had been set up beside the grandstand where I was sitting. Jackie Ickx was the eventual winner of the race. He had already won the 24 hours of Le Mans earlier so it was a good year for him too. For a first time 12 year old the sights and sounds were a bit overwhelming but it was amazing.
Lucky you!