Spain was a fantastic race to be at in 2016. I also had the opportunity of meeting F1 personnel in 2016 so returning to Catalunya in 2017 needed little persuasion.

It is one of the easiest tracks to get to and offers a lot of access for the fans.

Liberty Media, the new owners of F1 have also added a lot of experiences to the fans and guests of the Paddock Club and I shall be documenting some of them in the post.

The Spanish Grand Prix was held from 12th May to 14th May and this is Day 1 i.e. Friday Experience from the weekend.

The Passes arrived on time :

I got a chance to meet Fernando Alonso on Wednesday as he was launching the "Join the Pact" McLaren campaign for the upcoming weekend. McLaren were staying in the same hotel so it was nice to bump into F1 personnel on a regular basis.

A Selfie with Fernando Alonso!

Gavin Emmett of BT Sport; Gavin was present to interview Alonso for BT Sport and it was nice to have a chat with him.

Enroute to the circuit :

The Paddock Club doesn't open until 10 am. However the Pit Lane is open for the guests and Friday Morning is the best time to be in the pits as most teams allow guests to get close to the cars.

A 2 lap run in a Formula Minardi 2 seater is one of the newest offerings for Paddock Club Guests :

Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :

Haas F1 Firing up before FP1 ( Video Link ) :

Kimi Raikkonen's car Systems check before FP1 ( Video Link ) :

Shots with the GoPro Hero4 Black from the Pit lane:

We were ushered into the Paddock Club and the Club had a new vibe and feel to it. A freshness, unlike the same old same old. Show Cars at the entrance, music, dance, simulators, it just felt different.

Shots of the Paddock Club :

Photos with the Display Cars from 2016 outside the Paddock Club :

As Always, Ferrari had their own suite and like 2016 Pirelli shared the suite with Ferrari. 

Shots of the Ferrari F1 Club shared with Pirelli.

I took some time to take in the sights before the session began and was happy to see the same set of fans with their flags showing their support for Kimi Raikkonen and his Physio Mark Arnall

Kimi Raikkonen Fans showing their support :

Stands empty on Friday morning but the numbers increase considerably by afternoon :

It was time for Free Practice 1 to begin :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 in FP1 :

Pit Walls busy :

Chequered Flag to mark the end :

Lewis Hamilton was fastest with Valterri Bottas, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel hot on his heels.

It was time to have a quick lunch before heading down to the second pit lane walk of the day :

I spotted Pascal Wehrlein having his lunch while walking towards the pit lane!

Mark Sutton, Ace Photographer!

Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :

Renault Sport F1 Getting ready for FP2 ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Garage :

Photos with Kevin and Paul, New Friends!

Mark Arnall, Kimi Raikkonen's Physio and a thorough gent!

Dave Greenwood, Kimi Raikkonen's Race Engineer :

Max Verstappen Fans in attendance :

We made it back to the Paddock Club and it was time for Free Practice 2!

Shots from FP2 :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team in FP2 :

Chequered Flag :

Drivers returning to the pits after FP2 :

Lewis Hamilton was the fastest again. Valtteri Bottas, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel were within half a second of his best time.

Post FP2 we were joined by Scuderia Ferrari F1 Development Driver Marc Gene who shared his views on the team's chances for the weekend and the setup required for a track like Circuit de Catalunya

Marc Gene in the Ferrari F1 Club ( Video Link ) :

I also got a chance to interview him!

A Moment with Marc Gene!

Formula 2, formerly known as GP2 and F2 in short have their qualifying session in the evening.

Shots from the F2 Qualifying Session :

 

Desserts!

It was time to go downstairs after F2 Qualifying and experience the newest offering by Liberty Media for the Paddock Club Guests - a tour of the F2 Paddock and an interactive session with Russian Time Racing and a tour of the track on the Parade Truck.

Some more shots of the Display Cars outside the Paddock Club.

Part 1 of the Paddock Club Guests' Experience was a tour of the F2 ( formerly GP2 ) Paddock and an interactive with Russian Time Racing. Our Host was an ex-Porsche Carrera Cup Driver Sam Power. He is an absolute star! Knowledgeable, Technical, Humorous he has it all! It would be criminal to not be with him on tour!

Part 2 of the Paddock Club Guests' Experience was the Paddock Club Parade Truck Tour - A Tour of the Track on the Drivers Parade Truck. We were joined by Driver Coach Michael Reedy who is training Haas F1 Development Driver and Jenzer Motorsport Racer ( from GP3 ). He talked us through the entire circuit and the various challenges a driver faces; not to mention the hillarious exhange and banter with Sam Power throughout the tour. The track's gradient changes were eye-opening. It definitely isn't  as easy as it looks on TV.

Selfies and more Selfies!

Photos taken with the GoPro Hero4 Black on the Paddock Club Parade Truck tour.

Video Link of the Track Truck Tour :

The Tour ended and it was time to head back to the Hotel.

Returning to the Hotel

Reached the Hotel and was overjoyed to see Hilton hosting McLaren F1 Team.

What a day it had been! Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari looked strong and the signs of a strong Sunday seemed certain. Credit to Liberty Media for freshening up the Paddock Club Experience for the guests.

A Big Thank you to Edge Global Events for arranging the Passes and ensuring a hassle-free weekend, Thank you to Scuderia Ferrari F1 and Pirelli for their Hospitality!

Saturday and Sunday Experiences to follow soon! Watch this Space!

2016 Hungarian Grand Prix was the last GP I had the privilege of attending. There was a lull in my travel plans but as soon as the 2017 Season kicked off, I shortlisted Spain, Belgium & Abu Dhabi for this year. Spain since meeting the F1 Fraternity is very easy and I really enjoyed myself in 2016, Belgium cause I wanted to see Kimi Raikkonen race there one last time ( should he retire ) and Abu Dhabi would be Raikkonen's Farewell Race.

The Canadian Grand Prix remains on the to-do list and is delayed for an year since I am travelling to the UK to attend the Champions' Trophy ( Cricket ).


"A Gallery of Memories" my Blog Post Series which showcases all the famous people I had the privilege of meeting at the Circuit kicks off the 2017 Spanish Grand Prix Experience!

I arrived in my Emirates Transfer on Wednesday Afternoon to the Hilton Diagonal Mar and was amazed to Fernando Alonso signing off the "Join the Pact" Movement by Johnnie Walker!

I couldn't miss the Opportunity and Fernando happily obliged. I told him I believe he is the Best Driver on the Grid and he gave me a cheeky smile.

Fernando Alonso, McLaren F1 Driver & Double World Champion!

Gavin Emmett, BT Sport Presenter in MotoGP :

Mark Sutton, One of the best F1 Photographers!

Mark Arnall, Kimi Raikkonen's Physical Instructor

Mark Greenwood, Kimi Raikkonen's Race Engineer :

Marc Gene, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Development Driver :

Marc Gene's message for Fans in India :

Andy Stobart, Head of Communications, Renault Sport Racing :

Mattia Binotto, Chief Technical Officer, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Massimo Rivola, Head of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy :

Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team :

Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber F1 Team :

KIMI RAIKKONEN, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team!

Kai Ebel, RTL Presenter for F1 :

Antonio Giovinazzi, 3rd Driver for Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

I was standing outside the Ferrari Suite when I saw the new boss of F1 pass me. Soon followed a quick photo, an excellent chat and as a F1 Fan, I was so glad to see the new boss as passionate as anyone can be, not to mention the fact that he was roaming in the Paddock Club without any security! 

Chase Carey, CEO & Chairman of Formula 1, the new boss of F1 :

Mario Isola, Pirelli Racing Manager :

Sergey Sirotkin, Reserve Driver for Renault Sport F1 Team :

Karun Chandok, Presenter for Channel 4 :

Jock Clear, Senior Performance Engineer for Scuderia Ferrari F1 :

Anthony Davidson, Ex-F1 Driver & Presenter for Sky Sports F1 :

I got back to the Hotel and had the Invitation to attend the Mclaren F1 Gala Dinner at the Hilton.

Read all about it here :

http://tech-know-crat.posthaven.com/mclaren-f1-team-gala-dinner-at-the-hilton

Eric Boullier, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team :

Stijn Bastiaens, Sr. Director, Loyalty Partnerships, Hilton Hotels :

Sunday Morning and I won the Raffles Draw and got a Keyplate autographed by Maurizio Arrivabene!

Maurizio Arrivabene, Team Principal, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Ferrari preponed the Timing for Sebastian Vettel to visit the Ferrari F1 Club and that was a huge disappointment for me!

Post Race I got have a chat with the antagonist and Veteran actor Mr. Kelsey Grammer who was extremely friendly!

Hollywood Celebrity Kelsey Grammer!

Sebastian Vettel finished P2 in the race and Ferrari were gracious enough to bring the trophy upstairs and allow us a Photo Opportunity!

With Sebastian Vettel's P2 Trophy :

I got to meet Arjun Maini, GP3 Driver for Jenzer Motorsport and Development Driver for Haas F1 Team! Arjun is making India proud in the racing circuit with his performances and Won Race 2 in the GP3 series on Sunday Morning!

Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India F1 Team :

Damon Hill, 1996 F1 World Champion & Sky Sports F1 Presenter :

Susie Wolff, Ex-Williams F1 Development Driver & Presenter for Channel 4 :

Toto Wolff, Team Principal, Mercedes AMG F1 Team :

Felipe Massa, Williams F1 Team :

Felipinho Massa, Massa Jr. Love his smile!

James Allison, Technical Director, Mercedes AMG F1 Team :

Bernd Maylander, F1 Safety Car Driver :

Mats Hummels! Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich & German Defender :

Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren F1 Team :

Peter Sauber, Owner of Sauber F1 Team and the man responsible for bringing so many drivers into F1 :

Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal, Sauber F1 Team :

Lance Stroll, Williams F1 Team :

Cryil Abiteboul, MD, Renault Sport F1 Team :

Eliaquim Mangala, Manchester City, Valencia CF, France National Team Defender :

Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team :

Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Aerodynamic Genius Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

David Coulthard, Ex-McLaren F1 Driver, Red Bull Ambassador & Channel 4 Presenter :

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing F1 Team, A Fun Guy!

Alan Permane, Sporting Director, Renault Sport F1 Team :

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team :

Gene Haas, owner of Haas F1 Team :

Jos Verstappen :

Esteban Ocon, Sahara Force India F1 Team :

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

The Professor! Alain Prost!

Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 Team :

Martin Brundle, Ex-F1 Driver, Sky Sports F1 Presenter :

Paul Hembery, Motorsport Director, Pirelli Motorsport :

Marcus Ericsson, Sauber F1 Team :

Bob Fernley, Deputy Team Principal, Sahara Force India F1 Team :

Carlos Sainz Sr. :

Daniil Kvyat, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Driver :

Yusuke Hasegawa, Head of Honda's F1 Programme :

Sir Franz Tost, Team Principal of Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :

Simon Rennie, Race Engineer, Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Gino Rosato of Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Filippo, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Stefania Arrivabene, Press Officer at Scuderia Ferrari F1 :

Britta Roeske, Sebastian Vettel's PR Manager :

Moko!

Ayao Komatsu, Chief Race Engineer, Haas F1 Team :

Jolyon Palmer, 2013 GP2 Champion & Renault Sport F1 Driver :

Carlos Sainz Jr., Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Driver :

Lewis Hamilton! Mercedes AMG F1 Driver and Triple World Champion!

Friends from Renault Sport F1 Team. Miss them so much!


Hosts of Pirelli in the Ferrari F1 Club, Great bunch :


Hosts in the Ferrari F1 Club who ensured it was a memorable weekend!

Sebastian Vettel finished P2 in the race, Kimi Raikkonen however was taken out in Turn 1 on lap 1 after being tagged by Valtteri Bottas. Obviously I was gutted about it but the fact that I got to meet so many people from the F1 circuit more than made my day.

A Big Thank you to Edge Global Events for arranging the Passes and ensuring a hassle-free weekend, Thank you to Scuderia Ferrari F1 and Pirelli for their Hospitality!

Paddock Club Diaries return soon on the blog. Friday, Saturday and Sunday Experiences are in the Pipeline. I am travelling to the UK for the Champions' Trophy ( Cricket ) for a fortnight and request your patience till then.

Once again, Thank you all for supporting the Blog and I promise to do my best to better it each year!

Stay Safe and God Bless!