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Paddock Club Diaries - Belgian GP 2015 - Day 1

2015 Belgian Grand Prix was the 2nd race of the season that I had the opportunity of being at. Austria had been brilliant barring the result for Kimi and I was really looking forward to Belgium. Kimi Raikkonen has won here 4 times and I was really hopeful for  a better outing here.

I stayed at the Novotel in Maastricht, Netherlands. Spa Francorchamps was only 45 minutes away by car.

I Start of with the Friday ( Day 1 ) experience in the Ferrari F1 Club.


Enroute to the circuit :


I had to enter the town to pick up my passes and I must admit, it was a beautiful detour!

Shots from Spa, the Town :


Ferrari F1 Club Passes for the weekend :


After the drop off, it was quite a long walk to the Parking Lot. A message to those planning a visit. A Parking Pass is a MUST here. The Walk can be very confusing and its very easy to get lost.


Walking up to the circuit :


I reached the parking lot after a 20 minute walk and hopped into one of the Paddock Club Shuttles to the Paddock Club entry.

The Time for the first pit lane walk was over and I head straight to the Suite.

The view from the Ferrari F1 Club :


Shots of the GoPro Hero4 Black :


I had a quick coffee and a croissant before getting ready for Free Practice 1.

Shots from Free Practice 1 :


Scuderia Ferrari F1 in Free Practice 1. I also got to visit the garage during the session :


Shots from FP1 from another angle :


The Pit Walls busy during the session :


Chequered Flag - FP1 :


Nico Rosberg topped the practice session with Lewis Hamilton a close second. Kimi Raikkonen & Sebastian Vettel were P4 & P5 respectively. A great session for Scuderia Ferrari.


With FP1 over, we were joined by Ferrari Test Driver, Marc Gene

Marc Gene in the Ferrari F1 Club :


Marc Gene discussing about the team's chances in the Ferrari F1 Club. Video Link :


Marc Gene on the new start procedures. Video Link :


Marc Gene left and it was time for the GP2 practice session.

The GP2 Practice Session in progress :


I was soon ushered down to the Paddock for a visit to the Paddock area and the Team Garage.

Shots from the Paddock Tour :


Ferrari completes 900 GPs in F1 and had their Motorhome adorned with the signs :


Shots from the Paddock :


Scuderia Ferrari Mechanics working ( from the Garage Tour ) :


Shots with the GoPro Hero4 Black from the Garage Tour :


I returned to the club and I was famished. Thankfully it was time for lunch!


A Quick lunch and it was time for the 2nd Pit Lane walk of the day!

Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :


Shots with the GoPro Hero4 Black :


I was walking back from the Pit Lane Walk and got to meet Johnny Herbert again!


Free Practice 2 followed shortly after :


Scuderia Ferrari F1 during FP2 :


Shots with the GoPro during FP2 :


Kimi Raikkonen's Engineer holding the Pit Board for him :


Nico Rosberg suffered a high speed rear-tyre failure and it halted FP2 for sometime.


The Helicopter Cam doing its rounds :


Cars coming into the Bus Stop Chicane :


Kimi Raikkonen & Sebastian Vettel into the Bus Stop Chicane!


Some more shots from FP2 :


Chequered Flag :


Nico Rosberg stayed on top in the session. However he lost out on some valuable time for race simulations. Raikkonen was P5 and Vettel P10.


FP2 finished and it was time for Esteban Gutierrez, Ferrari's Reserve Driver to visit the guests in the Ferrari F1 Club :


To commemorate 900 GPs, Scuderia Ferrari had a twitter campaign with the handle #redseason and it was a pleasant surprise to see my post on the Ferrari Wall.


The models of all the Tyre Compounds used by Pirelli for the 2015 Season


GP2 Qualifying Session :


The Ferrari F1 Club in the evening :


As I left the club, I chose to stop by and take some shots of Paddock from the Club :


GP3 cars negotiating the latter half of Eau Rouge into the Kemmel Straight :


Trying a hand at the Simulator in the General Hospitality area :


Returning to Maastricht :


It was a great Friday for Scuderia Ferrari and hopes were high for Saturday and the rest of the weekend.

I enjoyed the Hospitality extended to me by the Hosts of the Ferrari F1 Club and Scuderia Ferrari.

A Big Thank you to Edge Global Events for making all the arrangements for the weekend.

The GoPro Hero4 Black with the Smart Remote and the LCD BacPac is a brilliant piece of equipment be it selfies or videos.

The Sony HX400V never disappoints in capturing stunning shots of F1 Cars at High Speeds.

The Saturday Experience coming soon, so watch this space!