Sundays are always hectic be it any Grand Prix. Everyone waits expectantly as the tension mounts for the main event to get underway.
The Result on Sunday is what matters. All the mistakes made earlier in the weekend are forgiven.
So how was the Sunday at the 2013 Indian GP? Lets find out!
Enroute to the Circuit :
Waiting for the Paddock Club to open :
The Paddock on Sunday Morning :
The Circuit in all its glory!
Shots from the Lotus F1 Garage ( Pit - Lane Walk ) :
The Lotus E21 Firing Up :
More Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :
The Mercedes AMG Petronas Team firing up their Mercedes 2.4 L V8 Engine! Sweet Music :
The Pit Lane Walk ended and we were visited by Romain Grosjean in the Suite!!
Lunch!!
It was imperative to finish one's lunch quickly else you would miss standing in the best places and capturing all the activity happening below :
Raikkonen and Hulkenberg do reconnaissance :
Mechanics rush to prepare the Grid Slots :
Kimi being rolled into his grid-slot :
Preparations in full swing for the Race Start :
Media interviewing Bottas, Alonso and Lauda :
Moments before the Formation Lap :
The Formation Lap :
Mechanics rushing back to the Pits :
The Race Start :
Video Link :
Shots from the 1st Half of the Race :
Lotus F1 Team in action :
More Stills from the Race :
Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen moving up the grid :
I was taken downstairs for the final part of the race and had the privilege of witnessing the Podium Celebrations up close.
Sebastien Vettel won the race comfortably and was crowned champion for the 4th Time! Red Bull Racing secured the Constructors' Championship too! Congratulations to them for a fantastic season!
Sebastien Vettel's elaborate doughnut celebrations following the chequered flag earned himself a reprimand and Red Bull Racing were given a €25,000 fine, for failing to go straight to parc ferme.
Nico Rosberg finished 2nd for a very satisfying afternoon for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.
Romain Grosjean produced a stellar drive to finish 3rd after starting 17th on the grid!
Kimi Raikkonen ran 2nd and then 3rd for a major part of the race but a disastrous decision to prolong his 2nd stint meant that his tyres went off the cliff and the Finn had to eventually pit from 7th Position on the Penultimate Lap and finish the race in 7th.
Alan Permane ( Lotus Trackside Operations Director ) came under fire for his controversial and abusive radio message ( we heard the uncensored version on the Team Radio ). Romain was already suffering from loss of air pressure in his engine ( in the last 15 laps ) and caught Kimi whose tyres had lost all life. Kimi didn't yield at the corner that the team expected him to and Alan shot off a harsh message to him. Kimi responded quite bluntly that it wasn't possible for him to let his Team-mate pass him at that corner. Permane had to bear the brunt on social media and some Kimi fans went over the top in their criticism. The matter is now doused though and everyone accepted that it was in the "Heat of the Moment"
Nevertheless it was good day for the Lotus F1 Team!!
The Mechanics are all smiles!
Sebastien Vettel, Triumphant once again!
Podium Celebrations and Trophy Presentations!
Video Link :
David Coulthard performing the Podium Interviews :
Video Link :
Celebrations in the Lotus F1 Team Garage :
Romain's Mechanics are all smiles!!
James Robinson mobbed by the crowd!!
A moment with the Trophy :
The teams frantically packing all up. The 2013 Abu Dhabi GP was in 7 days time!!
Debriefing :
What a Home Race this was. Its Sad that F1 doesn't return to India in 2014. The Fan Following is great out here and I shall always miss being at my home race.
3 Fantastic Days!!
A Big Thank you to the Lotus F1 Team for all the Hospitality! A Big Thank you to Anne-Charlotte Remy, Oliver Anderson, Fred Garcia and James Robinson for all the kindness shown to me.
Abu Dhabi GP Paddock Club Diaries coming soon!!
Thank you all for your patience! God Bless!