Spain has produced some stunning races over the years. Circuit de Catalunya, a 40 minute drive from Barcelona is a highly technical circuit and it can lay bare all the shortcomings of a car.
A visit to Barcelona was long overdue ( after the footballing trip in 2012 ) and I am so glad I chose to do it this year. I was a guest of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team for the 3 days.
As always, I start off with Day 1 i.e. Friday, this being the First Post from the "Paddock Club Diaries" from Spain.
Photos from Sony HX-400V, Samsung Note 5 and the GoPro Hero4 Black.
Passes for the Weekend :
Enroute to the Circuit, getting in and out of the circuit is a breeze. If one can spend, taking taxis to and fro is the best way to travel.
Shots from the First Pit-Lane Walk, early in the morning. Very Few Guests and one can get a lot closer to the cars during this time :
Shots from the Ferrari Garage :
I also got a chance to have a great conversation with Mr. Nick Chester, Renault Sport F1 Team's Technical Director :
Here are some Video Links of various engines being Fired up before the start of Free Practice 1 which immediately follows the Pit-Lane walk :
Jenson Button :
Daniil Kvyat :
Fernando Alonso :
Kimi Raikkonen :
A Quick Systems Check on Kimi Raikkonen's Car ( Video Link ) :
Post the walk, it was time to enter the Paddock Club building and here is a view of the Paddock from there :
Ferrari F1 Club, the Hospitality Suite of Ferrari :
View from the Club :
Kimi Raikkonen Supporters! C'mon Kimi!!
The Standings Board :
The Pit Walls getting busy for Free Practice 1 :
I had the opportunity of being in the Garage for a short period of time during Free Practice 1. Ofcourse Photography is banned in the Garage.
Shots from FP1 :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 in Free Practice 1 :
Chequered Flag :
Sebastian Vettel tried to leave the pit lane before the session ended. However the Pit Lane lights turn red and he had to stop at the end of the Pit Lane only to be wheeled back by the mechanics :
Enjoying FP1 ( GoPro Shots ) :
We were soon joined in the Suite by Marc Gene, Test / Development Driver for Ferrari. He was pretty optimistic about our chances.
Video Link of the Interview :
I was invited by my Italian Friend and Trainer in the GP2 / GP3 series to visit the Support Race Paddock and meet Mr. Mahaveer Raghunathan, the First Indian entrant in GP3. Frankly, it was my first time in the Support Race Paddock and feel like kicking myself for not going on previous occasions.
Mahaveer Raghunathan & his Father. RESPECT the man who has made so many sacrifices to fulfill his son's dream :
My Friend Federico Stirpe :
The Menu for lunch :
Lunch!
I didn't get much time as I got late from the Support Race Paddock and apologies for only a few photos from the 2nd Pit Lane Walk :
Jock Clear ( Ex-Mercedes ), Senior Performance Engineer for Ferrari :
Romeo Bonucchi of Ferrari :
Shots with the GoPro :
Free Practice 2 began in full earnest, the First Half of which Drivers ran Qualifying Simulations followed by Race Simulations.
Photos Galore from FP2, ENJOY!!
Scuderia Ferrari F1 during FP2 :
GoPro doing a brilliant job again in FP2 :
Chequered Flag :
FP2 ended with Nico Rosberg topping the timesheets for Mercedes. Kimi Raikkonen was only two-tenths off his time. Lewis Hamilton & Sebastian Vettel completed the top 4.
The Stands bearing a deserted look at the end of FP2 :
Post FP2, it was time for GP2 Qualifying :
I decided to head down to the F1 Simulator with my friends in the Paddock Club. The Simulator now features the Oculus Virtual Gear, quite a nifty piece of equipment :
It was soon time to head back to Barcelona after an eventful Friday :
Ferrari had a strong Friday and the gap to Mercedes seemed pretty small but everyone was wary and rightly so. Mercedes have sold Ferrari the dummy many times on Friday so Saturday would give us the true story.
I would like to thank the Hosts at the Ferrari F1 Club and Scuderia Ferrari for their Hospitality.
A Big Thank you to Edge Global Events for ensuring all arrangements were in place and I didn't face any hassles.
Saturday and Sunday to follow, thanks for your support!