Raceday had finally arrived! It was the day when Bharat ( India ) would host its first-ever MotoGP race. It was the day when the country would be back on the motorsports map, after a decade! Sunday promised to be a busy day with races in Moto3, Moto2 and of course MotoGP.

We headed out early on Sunday morning to not get delayed in traffic en route to the circuit!

Driving to the circuit on Raceday!

It seemed like we reached the Paddock quite early!

As soon as we entered the Paddock, we got to meet more people from the MotoGP Fraternity!

Mr Paolo Simoncelli, Team Owner, Sic58 Squadra Corsa :

Jake Dixon, Gas Gas Aspar Team, Moto2 :

David Munoz, Boe Motorpsorts, Moto3 :

David Alonso, Gas Gas Aspar Team, Moto3 :

Franco Morbidelli, Monster Energy Yamaha, MotoGP :

After spending a few hours in the Paddock, it was time to get ready for the upcoming races. Although we stayed in the Paddock for the Moto3 Race, we headed to the Main Grandstand for the Moto2 and MotoGP events.

But first, time for some lunch in the Hospitality :

The walk to the Main Grandstand was through the tunnel, under the track!

Views from the Main Grandstand, the Moto2 riders congregating on the grid for their race :

The MotoGP teams ready the bikes in their respective garages while the Moto2 field gets ready for its race :

Formation Lap of the Moto2 Race ( Video Link ) :

The Moto2 riders lining up for the race start :

Race Start ( Video Link ) :

A turn one incident saw a multi-rider crash, and the race got red-flagged :

The riders return to the pit lane :

Video Link of the Formation Lap of the Race Restart :

The race is about to get underway after a break of 40 minutes, with the length shortened to 12 laps.

Moto2 Race Restart ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the Moto2 Race :

Pedro Acosta wins the race! Joe Roberts overtook Sergio Garcia for the final podium place in a thrilling last-lap battle :

Chequered Flag after the Race ( Video Link ) :

The riders returned to the pit lane after the race.

Pedro Acosta, Tony Arbolino & Joe Roberts, the podium finishers from the Moto2 Race :

Time for some celebrations :

Podium Celebrations ( Video Link ) :

The podium finishers enjoy the adulation from the crowds :

It was now time for MotoGP to take centre stage!

The Team Garages are abuzz with activity as the riders get ready to head out for sighting laps :

The riders heading out onto the pit lane :

The team personnel and VIP Guests make their way to the starting grid :

The mechanics help the riders navigate through the personnel to their respective grid slots :

The Honda riders make it to their grid positions :

Shots from the grid as everyone prepares for the inaugural MotoGP race :

MotoGP Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

The 2023 MotoGP of Bharat is a go!

Race Start ( Video Link ) :

Some Stills from the race :

The Race in Progress ( Video Link ) :

Marco Bezzecchi won the race from Jorge Martin & Fabio Quartararo. Martin almost lost P2 to Fabio but the Spaniard recovered himself and held on. Joan Mir was P5 for Honda with Marc Marquez recovering to P9 after an early crash.

Fabio Quartararo engages with the fans after the race, throwing over some race wear too!

Jorge Martin suffered from intense dehydration and had to be attended to by the medical staff. This led to a delay in the podium festivities. Meanwhile, we enjoyed ourselves near the podium :

Presenting the podium finishers of the 2023 MotoGP of Bharat :

The Trophy Presentation :

Time for the Prosecco to be sprayed on the podium :

Marco Bezzecchi, Jorge Martin & Fabio Quartararo, the top 3 finishers of the 2023 MotoGP of Bharat :

Video Link for the Podium Celebrations :

With the Podium celebrations done, it was time for everyone to pack up and head to the next circuit. The teams packing up their bikes : 

As I made my final few rounds of the length of the paddock, I met some more motorsports fraternity!

Simon Crafar, former racer & Ace Commentator :

Jose Luis Martinez, Assistant & Best Friend to Marc Marquez :

The Paddock getting emptier by the hour :

The team personnel with the podium finishers' trophy! I also got a moment with Pablo Nieto, the team manager for the Mooney VR46 Racing team :

Pablo Nieto, Team Manager, Mooney VR46 Team, MotoGP :

Meeting riders and personnel continued into the evening!

Joe Roberts, Italtrans Racing Team, Moto2 :

Dennis Foggia, Italtrans Racing Team, Moto2 :

The last day of the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix had finally arrived. Unlike, the rest of the weekend, Sunday saw better weather & clearer skies. I had an early start to the day as I tried to beat the morning traffic into the circuit.

Enroute to the circuit :

Walking over to the Paddock Club :

Starting my day with Cappuccino and Croissants as always!

Sunday morning views of the track. The F3 Race got underway with a rolling start :

F3 Feature Race Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

The F3 Feature Race is a go & what a cracker of a race this was!

F3 Feature Race Start ( Video Link ) :

As the F3 race carried on, I decided to visit the fan village.

Walking over to the F1 Fan Village :

The F1 Fan Village, full of activity!

Shots of Raidilon from the Fan Village :

I returned to the Paddock Club and the Ferrari F1 Club Hosts arranged for me to go to the Photo Safari for the start of the F2 Feature Race.

We got escorted to the support race paddock which offered views of Eau Rouge and Raidilion :

The Safety Car comes into the pits and the F2 Feature Race resumes :

F2 Feature Race Restart ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the Feature Race :

Jack Doohan produced a stunning comeback to win the feature race from P11. 

Shots from the celebrations in Parc Ferme :

While the celebrations carried on in Parc Ferme, we had Ferrari's star driver join us in the Ferrari F1 Club.

Charles Leclerc in the Paddock Club!

Charles Leclerc Interview in the Ferrari F1 Club ( Video Link ) :

Going down to the Paddock for some more selfies!

Nico Hulkenberg, Moneygram Haas F1 Team :

Papa Perez! Mr Antonio Perez Garibay :

Hannah Schmitz, Principal Strategy Engineer for Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

The vintage cars getting ready for the Drivers' parade. My friend drove Leclerc around the track :

Shots from the final pit lane walk of the weekend :

The Scuderia Ferrari Garage before the race :

The Ferrari mechanics warming up with some pit stop practice :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team getting ready for the race with Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

Diego Ioverno, Sporting Director at Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Jack Doohan! It is always a pleasure to meet him, he is a thorough gentleman & an even better racer :

Time for a quick lunch before gobbling down some chocolates as desserts :

The grid getting ready for the main event of the weekend :

The drivers emerge from the pits for their sighting laps :

The drivers getting rolled by their mechanics into their respective grid slots :

National Anthem time :

The F1 Grid before the start of the Race ( Video Link ) :

The Air Force giving the fans an acrobatic display :

The grid gets clear of all non-essential personnel :

Formation Lap time :

Video Link of the Formation Lap :

The drivers navigating the Bus Stop chicane on the Formation lap :

The five red lights illuminate and as they went out, the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix was a go!

Race Start ( Video Link ) :

Lap 1 ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the race :

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team working hard to extract the maximum from the weekend :

Max Verstappen won the race from Sergio Perez while Charles Leclerc was P3 for Ferrari. A mechanical issue caused Sainz Jr to retire from the race.

Charles Leclerc patiently answering questions by Martin Brundle on Parc Ferme :

The Red Bull Duo having a mini post-race debrief :

Waiting for the top 3 to appear on the podium :

Leclerc, Perez and Verstappen are all smiles as they made their way to the podium :

The trophies being lifted by the Podium finishers :

Time for some champagne!

Podium Celebrations ( Video Link ) :

Mohammed Bin Sulayem, former Rally Driver and Current President of the FIA :

Some dear friends from Belgium, such a blessing to know them!

Selfie time in the paddock :

As I was walking around the Paddock, a gentleman and his grandson walked up to me and told me that they were at the race this weekend due to my Vlogs from 2022! They loved how well I had documented my experiences at the races and it helped their decision-making for a visit to an F1 race :

Jamie Chadwick, development driver at Williams Racing F1 Team & the triple-world champion in the now defunct W Series :

Daniel Ricciardo, Scuderia Alpha Tauri F1 Team :

Timo Glock, ex-F1 Driver and now a commentator for German TV :

Carlos Sainz Jr, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

The Paddock is getting dismantled as the teams leave for the summer break :

Until next time, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps!

I also made a Vlog about my experience from Sunday, sharing the YouTube link here :

It had been a memorable weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix. Thankfully, the FOM decided to extend the Belgian GP contract till 2025 and I hope to see this track on the F1 calendar for several more years. Once again, a big thank you to the Paddock Club team for their hospitality over the weekend. A special mention to the hosts in the Ferrari F1 Club who always make me feel welcomed and a part of the team, whichever race I am at.

There is another special experience to come from 2023, so watch this space!

Time truly flies when one is at a Formula 1 weekend and before I realized, Sunday was already here! It was Raceday and I decided to leave sooner to ensure a timely arrival at the circuit. Although the circuit is close to the city of Barcelona, the traffic situation along with the narrow access roads, more than doubled the travel time!

How indulging was race day at the Spanish GP? How did the home heroes fare? Here is a quick recap with some stills from Sunday, shot with the Sony RX10 IV and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

En route to the circuit. The traffic situation worsened on Sunday and I had to walk for 2 km to make it to the Paddock Club.

Finally, at the Paddock Club entrance :

The view of the circuit on Sunday Morning :

Starting the day with some Coffee and Croissants :

Post Breakfast, it was time to enjoy the action on track with the F2 Feature Race :

F2 Feature Race Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

F2 Feature Race Start ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the F2 Feature Race :

Oliver Bearman won the Feature Race from Enzo Fittipaldi and Victor Martins. Jack Doohan finished in P6.

Right after the Feature Race, I had the opportunity to visit the Fan Village and I made the trek down to enjoy the atmosphere there :

I returned just in time to the Ferrari F1 Club to attend Carlos Sainz Jr.'s interview. The home hero had a front-row start and hoped to put pressure on Verstappen in the race.

Shortly after Carlos Sainz's interview, Team Principal Frederic Vasseur visited the Ferrari F1 Club :

Video Link to this Interview :

A Selfie with the Boss!

I decided to have lunch before the Pit Lane Walk on Sunday :

The Final Pit Lane Walk of the weekend :

Some shots with the Samsung S23 Ultra :

Post the Pit Lane Walk, it was time to grab a vantage spot for the Race Start! Shortly after I reserved my place, the Pit Lane got opened and the drivers headed out of their garages for sighting laps :

The mechanics wheeling the cars to the grid :

The grid is a hive of activity before the formation lap :

Famous faces, mostly footballers, gracing the F1 Spanish GP grid :

The drivers gathering for the National Anthem :

The drivers run back to relieve themselves before getting into the car :

The grid emptied of all non-essential personnel as the clock ran down to the formation lap start :

Time for the Formation Lap :

Video Link :

The 5 Red Lights went out and the Spanish GP was a go!

Video Links to the Race Start :

Shots from the Race :

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 drivers pushing throughout the race :

Charles Leclerc pitting during the Race ( Video Link ) :

The Pit Walls are busy with strategy calls :

Max Verstappen won the Spanish GP from Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Carlos Sainz Jr could only manage P5, while Charles Leclerc was P11.

Video Link of the Chequered Flag at the end of the Race :

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 personnel celebrating a double podium :

The drivers returning to Parc-Ferme after the race :

Post-Race Interviews of the Podium Finishers:

The gates open to allow the fans to enter the track and get close to the podium celebrations :

After my farewells to the hosts in the Paddock Club, I went downstairs to spend some time in the Paddock :

I got to meet some motorsport personalities during my time in the Paddock.

Mark Webber, Multi-race winner in F1 and a WEC Champion :

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Nice to meet Billy Monger, racer turned presenter :

SHAKIRA!! No Introduction is needed!

Patrick Kluivert, Dutch Footballer who played for FC Barcelona :

Randy Mamola, a Moto GP Legend. He is such an amazing man to talk to about racing in general :

Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing Reserve Driver, now driving for Scuderia Alpha Tauri F1 :

Andreas Seidl, Sauber Motorsports CEO :

David Coulthard, an F1 legend and currently a commentator & Red Bull Racing Ambassador :

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

Extreme E and Rally Racer Christine GZ :

Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo Stake F1 Team :

Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Trackside Engineering Director :

Peter Bonnington, the man who says those famous words as his race engineer - "Ok Lewis, it's Hammer time!"

George Russell, Mercedes Petronas AMG F1 Team :

As I exited the circuit, I spent a moment at an Ayrton Senna memorial :

Returning to the city after a hectic Sunday :

I have also shared my Sunday Experience on my YouTube channel.

Video Link :

Although Scuderia Ferrari F1 failed to achieve a better result despite a promising weekend, it was still a fighting display by both Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc.

Thank you to the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team and the Hosts of the Ferrari F1 Club for all the hospitality and care shown to me over the weekend. It was truly a memorable weekend, yet again! I am thankful to the Almighty for the privilege to attend these events and meet some famous people from the motorsports world and otherwise!

The Paddock Club Diaries will make a return soon, with experiences from the 2023 Belgian GP weekend. However, before that, I have to document my experience from the Centenary Race of the 24 Hours of Le Mans!

Excited to share about the WEC Weekend... soon!

Raceday arrived and I was excited about the prospect of seeing another Ferrari victory in 2022. The day began early as I headed out from Hasselt to be at the circuit in time for Charles Leclerc's visit to the Ferrari F1 Club.

The early start helped me to avoid the long lines heading into the circuit. 

So how was the race day experience at the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix? Well, this is a humble attempt at covering such a memorable day. Photos were taken with both my Sony RX10 IV and Samsung S22 Ultra.

En route to the circuit and enter via La Source. Always a pleasant sight to behold Hotel La Source.

After the usual cardio workout through the woods, I finally reached the Paddock Club!

Sunday Morning views from the Ferrari F1 Club :

All the calories shed got recovered with some Belgian Ice Cream on Sunday Morning!

The Formula 3 race was underway when I arrived and it was yet another win for Prema Racing!

Formula 3 Feature Race Podium Finishers celebrating :

The F3 race got quickly followed by the Formula 2 Feature Race!

The Formula 2 drivers line up on the grid!

The Race is a go-go!

Video Link of the Start of the Feature Race :

Jack Doohan leading after a brilliant strategy call :

As the F2 race continued, I visited the Fan Zone. I had won a selfie contest and Spa Grand Prix had asked me to visit the fan booth to collect my prize. I won an Alpine F1 cap signed by both the drivers and a t-shirt with all the circuits printed from the 2022 season! Amazing!!

The F2 cars negotiate their way through Raidilion, onto the Kemmel Straight, a sight to behold indeed :

Jack Doohan celebrating with this team on Parc Ferme, his first-ever F2 Feature Race win, a deserved one indeed!

Parc Ferme Celebrations ( Video Link ) :

Getting onto the Podium to celebrate his success! Well done Jack Doohan!

Video Link to the Podium Celebrations :

The F2 Feature race got followed by a Red Bull Air Show!

Some stunts performed in the air :

Soon enough, it was time for Charles Leclerc to visit the guests in the Ferrari F1 Club for a quick Q&A!

Charles Leclerc Interview in the Ferrari F1 Club ( Video Link ) :

Post his interview, I decided to head down to the support race paddock to congratulate Jack Doohan on his maiden Feature Race win!

As I made my way down I bumped into someone famous!

Jacky Ickx, an F1 legend and six-time Le Mans winner :

Down at the support race paddock, I caught a glimpse of the vintage cars lined up for the Drivers' Track Parade!

More selfies followed!

Bernd Maylander, Formula 1 Safety Car Driver :

Paul di Resta, Ex-F1 Driver and Sky Sports F1 Presenter :

Finally, after waiting for the debrief to end, I had a chance to meet and converse with Jack about his weekend! Such an amazing human being and I wish him all the best for the future!

The man, with his spoils from the weekend!

As I legged it back to the Paddock Club, I realized that I had missed the only Pit Lane Walk on Sunday :(

Once I got back to the club, I quickly went through the menu to see what appealed to my palette...

Enjoying some lunch before the real action begins :

As the drivers headed out for their sighting laps, the mechanics made their way to the grid to get the cars ready for the race :

The activity on the grid is increasing steadily :

Running through the grid, through a series of photos :

National Anthem time :

The drivers make their way back to their cars to get ready for the Formation Lap :

Formation lap time :

Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

Ready to race!

Race Start ( Video Link ) :

The Race gets underway :

End of Lap 1 ( Video Link ) :

A First lap collision between Hamilton and Alonso brought out the Safety Car, with the former bowing out of the race :

Safety Car Deployed in the Race ( Video Link ) :

Race Restarts after Safety Car period ( Video Link ) :

The Race restarts again :

Battles galore up and down the field :

Some more shots from the Race :

George Russell Pit Stop ( Video Link ) :

Sergio Perez Pit Stop ( Video Link ) :

Max Verstappen Pit Stop ( Video Link ) :

Pit Stop stills :

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 boys battling it out in the race :

Parc Ferme Interviews and Podium Presentations :

Parc Ferme Interviews ( Video Link ) :

The Lifting of the trophies! Well done to Verstappen, Perez and Sainz for their performances over the weekend!

Taking some photos of the Podium finishers :

Video Link - Podium Celebrations :

The fans invade the track and take over the start-finish straight as they hope to catch a glimpse of their favourite drivers :

As I made my way back to the Paddock Club, I met a Belgian superstar!

Belgian and Manchester City footballer Kevin de Bruyne :

With the Paddock Club shutting for the weekend, it was time to head downstairs to the Paddock.

The Paddock at Spa Francorchamps :

I met a host of famous people while I spent time in the Paddock. 

Guenther Steiner, Haas F1 Team Principal :

Mats Hummels, Germany and Borussia Dortmund Football Team, my favourite centre-back :

Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Orlen Team :

Christian Horner, Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team Principal :

Yuki Tsunoda, Scuderia Alpha Tauri F1 Team :

A silver medalist at rowing in the Olympics and Daniel Ricciardo's Race Engineer, Tom Stallard :

A selfie, well not really, with the reigning World Champion Max Verstappen :

Esteban Ocon, Alpine Racing F1 Team :

Sergio Perez, Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren F1 Team :

Fernando Alonso, Double World Champion, Alpine Racing F1 Team :

Mara Sangiorgio and Federica Masolin, journalists from Sky Sports F1 Italia :

The hosts at the Ferrari F1 Club! Such a great bunch of people! So blessed to know this trio, always cheerful, and welcoming and giving me memorable race weekends!

The sun sets on the Belgian GP weekend. We had to vacate the Paddock area earlier than usual since the teams needed to dismantle and ship everything to Zandvoort. 

Returning to Hasselt, through village roads, the main highway was full of traffic!

A Vlog on the Sunday Experience at the 2022 Belgian GP, uploaded on my Youtube Channel :

Although Carlos Sainz Jr couldn't convert his pole position to a victory, it was a fine drive to bag P3 on Sunday. The Red Bull cars had too much pace and Max Verstappen cut through the field to take victory from Sergio Perez.

Charles Leclerc tried to bag the point for the fastest lap by pitting on the last lap of the race, but due to speeding in the pit lane, the Monegasque incurred a time penalty and finished P6. Another disappointing weekend for him. It was another difficult weekend for Ferrari but both drivers tried to extract the maximum.

A big thank you to Edge Global Events for organising the race passes for the weekend. Thank you to Scuderia Ferrari and the hosts at the Ferrari F1 Club for always being so welcoming and hospitable! I can't wait to return in 2023!

The Paddock Club Diaries might have ended for 2022, but there will be more content coming your way on the Blog! Thank you for all your support and love and wishing you all a wonderful 2023! God Bless you all!

The final day of the 2022 F1 Hungarian GP dawned on us and unlike the Saturday, I tried to leave early in the morning. However, it wasn't early enough and once again I was at the mercy of errand taxi drivers quoting absurd fares to ferry me to the circuit. Thankfully, a couple decided to join me and the price seemed acceptable after negotiating with one taxi driver

Sunday morning and welcome to Raceday! Enroute to the circuit :

Due to the traffic snarls caused by the flurry of vehicles into the circuit, the taxi dropped us at an alternate entry and I had to walk almost around the length of the track to make it to the Paddock Club. The Vlog on my Youtube Channel, shared further on on this page, has a segment dedicated to that.

Coffee and Croissants to kickstart the Sunday in the Paddock Club :

The hosts at the Ferrari F1 Club obliged me with a paddock pass but asked me to return in time for the Charles Leclerc interview in the Club, scheduled around midday.

A quick visit to this very narrow and small paddock :

The story of meeting those from the F1 Fraternity began again!

Pat Fry, a Legend of F1 and Chief Technical Officer for Alpine F1 Team :

Pierre Gasly, Scuderia Alpha Tauri F1 driver :

Yuki Tsunoda, Scuderia Alpha Tauri F1 driver :

Fernando Alonso, Double F1 World Champion and Alpine F1 Driver :

It was time to head back and grab a vantage point to see Leclerc up close in the Ferrari F1 Club.

Charles Leclerc joining the guests in the Ferrari F1 Club for an interview :

The menu for Sunday :

Lunch is served :

With Lunch complete, it was time for the final pit lane walk of the weekend.

Shots from the Pit Lane walk on Sunday :

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team getting prepped and ready for the Race and pitstop practice is a must!

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

The Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team mechanics practiced some stops of their own :

I had the opportunity of meeting some more famous people from the F1 circle.

Andrea Stella, Executive Racing Director for McLaren with a glorious career in F1 :

Jock Clear, Senior Performance Engineer for Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Ralf Schumacher, Ex-Williams and BMW Williams F1 Driver, brother to Michael Schumacher and now an F1 Presenter :

I rushed back to the club and it was time to put the Headsets on, grab a good view and buckle up for the race!

The drivers leaving the pits for sighting laps :

Pit Lane opens for Drivers to leave the garages ( Video Link ) :

Carlos Sainz Jr leaves for sighting lap ( Video Link ) :

Obliging with interviews and legging it to the front of the grid for the pre-race formalities :

The drivers line up at the front of the grid for the Hungarian National Anthem :

The guests and dignitaries with grid access make their way back to the pit lane :

Time for the formation lap and the Race start :

Counting down to the Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

Time for the Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

A Video of the Race Start :

A Photo Dump of photos from the Race :

Virtual Safety Car period in the Race ( Video Link ) :

A Daniel Ricciardo Pit Stop in the Race ( Video Link ) :

Scuderia Ferrari drivers battling hard during the Hungarian GP :

Charles Leclerc pitting for Hard Tyres ( Video Link ) :

The Red Bull and Mercedes mechanics celebrate victory and podium finishes for their drivers from the Pit Wall. Max Verstappen won the race for Red Bull, while Lewis Hamilton and George Russell completed the podium for Mercedes. A strategic blunder left Sainz and Leclerc in P4 and P6, respectively.

Chequered Flag gets waved at the Hungarian GP ( Video Link ) :

Celebrations in Parc-Ferme :

The crowds invading the track to have a closer look at the podium celebrations and the pit lane :

Soon, it was time for the paddock club to close and I decided to head to the Paddock for some signatures and some selfies before we would get asked to leave from there too!

Roaming through the Paddock, post-race :

Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Driver :

Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo Orlen F1 Driver :

Guenther Steiner, Haas F1 Team Principal :

Sebastian Vettel!! Quadruple F1 World Champion and Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team Driver :

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal :

Tom Kristensen, a Record Nine-time LeMans winner!

The team trucks getting loaded up with equipment as they make their way back to the team factories :

The sun sets on the 2022 Hungarian GP weekend :

Back at my Hotel in Budapest :

As promised, here is the Vlog of the Sunday Experience at the 2022 Hungarian GP :

It was a memorable weekend, despite the results for the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team from the race. Finally, after a three-year break, I had the privilege of attending a race, live! A big thank you to Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team for hosting me over the weekend. 

This wouldn't be the last post from "The Paddock Club Diaries" in 2022. The Belgian GP experience will follow soon! So watch this space!

Sunday at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix was an emotional one, a day of tributes. It was a day when the entire Motorsport community, teams and fans alike stood together as one to honour the racer that Anthoine Hubert was. It was a day when the Community reaffirmed, we stand together in the face of this loss and tragedy..we mourn today yet one day we shall rise again..

The Formula 2 Sprint Race was cancelled as a mark of respect. All the teams from both the Support Race and F1 Race Paddock congregated on the Pit Straight to pay tribute to the memory of Anthoine Hubert. The fans had decided to rise in standing ovation on Lap 19 ( the number on Hubert's car ) during the F1 race as a mark of the respect for the racer. The schedule for the rest of the day was unchanged. 

Making our way to Spa Francorchamps :

The Paddock on Sunday Morning, a busy day ahead for everyone but the atmosphere was sober and grim after the incident on Saturday.

Carlos Sainz Jr., McLaren Racing F1 Team :

Daniil Kvyat, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :

I made it into the Motorhome and Breakfast was waiting for us :

Post breakfast I went for a stroll through the Paddock and some more heroes from this profession.

The fighter Robert Kubica, Rokit Williams F1 Racing Team :

Esteban Ocon, Reserve Driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :

Double World Champion in Formula E, ex F1 racer Jean-Eric Vergne :

Sebastian Vettel! Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team!

Pierre Gasly, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :

Time for a quick bite before heading out for the Pit Lane Walk of the day :

Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :

We took our spots outside the Paddock to watch the race start and the Belgian Air Force obliged us with an amazing Fly-Past :

Video Link :

The Grid Kids making their way back from the Starting Grid :

The Race got underway shortly after.

Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

Race Start ( Video Link ) :

Kimi Raikkonen and Max Verstappen had a coming together at La Source hairpin in the opening lap. The Finn was left with a badly damaged floor and had to go through 2 pit stops before coming out at the back of the pack. Max wasn't as lucky and ended up in the barriers before Kemmel Straight. There was a collective groan from all the Dutch Fans who had made their way to the race to see their hero race. Credit to them, they stayed back to honour Hubert ( lap 19 tribute ). The Safety Car was deployed on the Opening Lap. 

It was a difficult race for Kimi thereafter. 

Race Restart after Safety Car Period ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the Race :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team fighting hard in the Race :

I was in the Team Garage for the Latter Part of the Race and was able to watch a Pit Stop from the Garage!

Video Link :

Kimi came home in P16. Antonio Giovinazzi was doing a fine job in P9 until a mistake on the penultimate lap made him crash out of the race. It was a wretched weekend and zero points for the team :( Antonio also suffered from an impact ( whiplash ) injury and had to be attended to post race.

The cars making their way to Parc Ferme after the Race :

Charles Leclerc took victory from Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. Sebastian Vettel ended up P4 after some poor strategic calls by Ferrari. Ferrari were relieved to finally win a race in 2019. It was the start of a 3 race winning streak for the team, an indication that one should never write off the Prancing Horse.

Parc Ferme and Interviews for the Top 3 finishers.

Video Link :

The podium ready to welcome the Top 3 :

Presenting the Top 3 finishers of the 2019 Belgian GP :

Podium Presentation Video Link :

National Anthems time :

Trophy Presentation :

Video Link :

The cars sent to FIA Scrutineering :

I made my way back to the Motorhome and the team were distributing some Magnums. Helps cool everything down.

Packup time for the teams. The next race ( Italy ) takes place on the next weekend, so the turnaround time is very less for the teams.

Taking some more shots outside the Motorhome before its dismantled and shipped out :

I got to meet some more technical personnel!

Kimi Raikkonen's Race Engineer in Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team, Mr. Julien Simon-Chautemps :

Masahi Yamamoto, Managing Director for Honda Racing in F1 :

The Paddock being wrapped up :

After a certain time, it becomes quite unsafe to loiter around and its advisable for guests to leave the Paddock Area.

An earlier-spec Renault Sport F1 that was on display in the Paddock Club ( I guess ) :

Bye Bye Circuit de Spa Francorchamps, see you next year!

Walking back to the transfer area for my ride back to Hasselt. Some final selfies with my pass which would no longer be valid..a great souvenir to keep though!

I reached Hasselt pretty late at night ( thanks to the Traffic heading out of the track ). My friends Jane and Kaz had already reached the Hotel before me and were waiting for me at the bar. We sat together late into the night, talking, laughing remembering the weekend gone by. Kaz, a Leclerc fan was overjoyed with his win..Jane and I, Kimi fans had forlorn faces. We also raised a toast to the talent Anthoine Hubert. He will surely be missed.

Before I retired for the night, I pondered on the weekend gone by..the excitement and the highs of Friday and Saturday, the joy cut short by Hubert's demise on Saturday, the emotional Sunday that was. I felt so honoured and blessed to be a part ( albeit a small one ) of the Motorsport family that is spread all across this world. 

I thanked God for His Grace and all the blessings I have had in life..I was living my dream..like so many others..

Once again, a Big Thank you to Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team for their Hospitality and Warmth over the weekend. True we didn't have a good weekend, but we keep our head down and keep pushing!

The Paddock Weekends will make a return soon..

Godspeed everyone!

The Paddock Club Diaries for this weekend draws to a close with the experience on Sunday, the day that matters. Its Raceday! Win on Sunday and all else is forgiven. It was also the day when I got the opportunity of having a Paddock Pass for the whole day.

So how was the Overall Experience? Lets have a quick recap!

Enroute to the Circuit :

I got my Paddock Pass at the F1 Experiences Suite and wasted no time in getting downstairs.

Walking around the Paddock :

Some stills with the Samsung Note 9 :

Its pretty obvious that one would bump into some known faces in F1.

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team Manager Beat Zehnder!

Julien Simon-Chautemps, Kimi Raikkonen Race Engineer in Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team :

Daniil Kvyat, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :

Mr. Giorgio Piola, Journalist, Technical Artist and Watchmaker!

Fredric Vasseur, Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team Principal :

I made my way back up, just in time to see the Ferrari Challenge Cars line up on the grid for their Race Start :

My friends at Ferrari informed me that Charles LeClerc would be visiting their Suite for a quick Interview!

He was soon followed by the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Principal Mattia Binotto :

It was then time for the final Pit Lane Walk of the Weekend!

Sportpesa Racing F1 Point Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

Slow Motion Edition :

Shots of the Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team Garage :

The Teeam was busy practicing their pit stops :

Alfa Romeo Team Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

Slow Motion Edition :

I decided to pay the Paddock Area another visit and there was an atmosphere of tension, as is the case before the start of every race on Sunday :

Tom Stallard, Race Engineer for Carlos Sainz Jr. in McLaren Racing F1 Team :

Josef Leberer from Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team :

A Quick bite before grabbing a vantage point for the Race Start :

Team Personnel venture out of the pits to make their way to the Grid :

Drivers roll out of their Garages for Sighting Laps :

Drivers going out for Sighting Laps ( Video Link ) :

The grid, a hub of activity :

Kimi & Co. getting ready for battle!

The Cars rolled out of their grid slots for the Formation Lap and the Pit Crew were scrambling back to the Pits. The Grid has to be clear of personnel for the Race Start :

Formation Lap and Race Start ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the Race :

The Stricken McLaren of Lando Norris with the Broken Rear Suspension :

Some more shots from the Race :

Video Links for Pit Stops during the Race :

Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team :

Haas Racing F1 Team :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team during the Race :

Lewis Hamilton won the Canadian Grand Prix after a controversial incident which saw Sebastian Vettel being penalised with a 5 second time penalty. Charles LeClerc finished 3rd. Antonio Giovinazzi & Kimi Raikkonen were P13 & P15 respectively, a disappointing result for Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team.

The Podium finishers on Parc Ferme :

Driver Interviews underway. Sebastian Vettel was nowhere to be seen. He attempted to see the Stewards regarding the incident. One of the Team Members had to restrain him from going to the Stewards before completing the Parc Ferme and Podium Formalities. The repurcussions of such a move would have been straight disqualification from the race!

Charles LeClerc being congratulated by the team :