The Big Day had arrived! Sunday the day that mattered. The day of the 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix. A lot was at stake in the Championship and after a dismal Qualifying, Ferrari had its work cut out.
So how did it all pan out. Lets have a quick peek!
Enroute to the Circuit :
Shots from Hungaroring. Many F1 Personnel ready to fly back after the race :
The Morning Cappuccino & very few guests in the Suite in the morning :
GP2 Sprint Race Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :
GP2 Sprint Race Start ( Video Link ) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9fgA1h-hJs
Safety Car Period ( Video Link ) :
GP2 Sprint Race Restart ( Video Link ) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIUN00xxclk
Shots from the GP2 Sprint Race :
The Sprint Race ended and we were soon joined by Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari F1 Club for a quick Q&A :
Selfie with Sebastian Vettel!
Sebastian Vettel Interview in Ferrari F1 Club ( Video Link ) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy-z-urG6QA
Vettel left and Maurizio Arrivabene, Ferrari's Team Principal joined us in the Suite. It was a great interview and I am so impressed by the Man and his choice of words :
A Quick Selfie :
Maurizio Arrivabene Interview ( Video Link ) :
Paul Hembery, the Motorsports Director of Pirelli was the final visitor to the suite.
The clock was running down to the Big Race. Time for a quick lunch, Pit Lane Walk and then grab a place to watch the race.
Lunchtime!
Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :
Shots from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Garage :
Romeo, Alberto and Emilia Ma'am, the Hosts of Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Garage :
Got a chance to finally meet Minttu, Kimi's wife!
Johnny Herbert, Ex F1 Racer and Sky Sports F1 Presenter :
Paul Di Resta, Ex Sahara Force India F1 Driver and a co-presenter of Sky Sports F1 :
Jacques Villeneuve, 1997 F1 World Champion and Presenter for Sky Sports Italia :
I ran back upstairs and got myself a good position to take photos from and watch the race start :
Marcus Ericsson making it to the grid.
Drivers gather for the National Anthem
The Clock running down to the Race Start :
Getting ready for the Race Start :
Formation Lap, 2016 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix ( Video Link ) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPhGoDuRW5E
Race Start, 2016 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix ( Video Link ) :
Shots from the Race :
Some More Shots from the Race :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team flying in the Race :
Video Links from the Race :
Lap 1 of the 2016 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbcJdmvJb8Y
Sebastian Vettel 1st Pit Stop :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsOGcJu9xFI
Kimi Raikkonen 1st Pit Stop :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1-9GJmpNTo
Lewis Hamilton Pit Stop :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niWOpWZEvPk
Kimi Raikkonen 2nd Pit Stop :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_d_HzrTIXo
Sebastian Vettel 2nd Pit Stop :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbBQeC71iXc
Nico Rosberg Pit Stop :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOvOJPrzG20
Chequered Flag and Lewis Hamilton takes victory :
Lewis Hamilton took victory from Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo. Sebastian Vettel took 4th. Kimi Raikkonen had a great battle with Max Verstappen but the latter's slightly unsporting moves meant he finished 6th in the race. As Mr. Maurizio Arrivabene said that they made a mistake with Kimi, I feel they missed out on a definite podium.
Drivers entering Parc Ferme :
Fans and F1 Personnel make it to the Podium for celebrations :
Fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes after the race.
I was pleasantly surprised to see my tweets being featured in the Paddock Club Wall :
The mechanics packing up to ensure a quick transit to Germany, the venue of the next race.
Ted, busy with "the Notebook" while some media wait for Mercedes' Photo Session :
The Trucks enter the Pit Lane. Time to call it a day!
The Hosts in the Ferrari F1 Club from Ferrari and Pirelli Motorsport ( Pirelli shares the Suite at many races ) :
It was time to leave the circuit but I got the chance of seeing Mechanics cleaning the tyres :
I stood around the Paddock gate and got to meet some more people.
Rachel Brookes, Sky Sports F1 Presenter :
Ted Kravitz of Sky Sports F1!
FERNANDO ALONSO of McLaren Honda and 2 Time World Champion! The Grid is complete. Have photos with each driver on the grid.
What a beautiful day at the Hungaroring.
Returning to the Hotel :
I was having dinner at the famous Lado Cafe and spotted Mr. Gene Haas, the owner of the Haas F1 Team! He obliged with a quick photo!
It was a fantastic weekend in Hungary. True that Ferrari couldn't achieve a Podium Finish but Kimi Raikkonen drove like a fighter making up 8 places during the race. So proud of him!
A Big Thank You to Edge Global F1 for their professional assistance over the weekend and ensuring I have a memorable weekend. A Big Thank you to Scuderia Ferrari F1 and Pirelli Motorsport for taking such good care of me over the weekend.
I am not sure of my future plans, God knows. If there are no more "Paddock Club Diaries" from this year, be rest assured they will return in the next year!
Thank you everyone for your patience and support! God Bless!