Friday at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix was a memorable one. Saturdays start early with Team Pit-Stop Practice and then Free Practice 3 followed by the Qualifying Session. This just wasn't any other Saturday..
The Saturday experience starts now!
Photos from Sony HX400V Camera, GoPro Hero4 Black & Samsung Note 5.
Early Morning Start to the day, enroute to the circuit :
Reach the Circuit and walk straight to the Pit Lane for the First Pit Lane Walk of the day.
Shots from the Note 5 Camera :
GoPro :
Shots from the Scuderia Ferrari Garage :
The Pit Lane Walk ended and I came across a really expensive parking lot! DROOL :
Breakfast in the Paddock :
The View on Saturday Morning as the FP3 session goes green :
The Helicopter in Position for overhead shots :
FP3 features most cars running qualifying simulations. On some occasions drivers who had their Friday compromised run race simulation for a short time :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team in Free Practice 3 :
Shots of the GoPro :
Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel had less than two-tenths of a second between them while Kimi Raikkonen was a second off the pace in 6th. It seemed like Mercedes had sold Ferrari the dummy again!
We were soon joined by Ferrari Reserve Drive Jean-Eric Vergne in the Suite :
A Quick selfie with the Flying Frenchman!
Pirelli's Racing Manager Mario Isola Interview in the Suite :
Video Link :
A moment with the man :
Pirelli showcasing Miniatures of all the Tyre Compounds used for the season :
Lunch :
Soon it was time for the Pit Lane walk before Qualifying. Some shots :
Guess who popped in for an interview with Sky Italia? Jorge Lorenzo! 2015 MotoGP Champion!
Shots from the Pit Lane walk with the GoPro :
Karun Chandok, ex-F1 Driver from India, now with Channel 4 :
The Track ready for battle!
Q1 underway :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 in Q1 :
Chequered Flag :
Returning to the pits :
Nico Rosberg topped the timesheets in Q1. Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel were 5th and 6th respectively.
Shots from Q2 :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 during Q2 :
Chequered Flag :
Jenson Button walking down the pit-lane after Q2 and after elimination.
Lewis Hamilton upped his game and topped Q2. Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel were 4th and 6th. Red Bull were in the mix. Q3 was going to be one big battle!
Q3 begins :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 in Q3 :
Chequered Flag :
Media getting ready on Parc Ferme :
Lewis Hamitlon grabbed Pole Position. Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo completed the top 3. Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel finished 5th and 6th, much to the disappointment of the tifosi.
Qualifying ended and we were soon joined by the man I was waiting to get a glimpse of : KIMI RAIKKONEN. Didn't get a decent picture with him though. Photos taken by the team host in the suite :
Kimi Raikkonen Q&A ( Video Link ), Kimi sharing about qualifying and the prospects for Sunday :
Kimi left and it was time for the GP2 Feature Race on Saturday!
GP2 Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :
GP2 Feature Race Start ( Video Link ) :
GP2 Feature Race Chequered Flag ( Video Link ) :
I decided to head to the Support Race Paddock during the GP2 Feature Race to see the preparations before Race 1 for GP3 teams and Mahaveer Raghunathan. Amazing Access and Exposure!
GP3 Race 1 Start ( Video Link ) :
The Paddock closing time neared and I made my way to the exit only to meet a host of F1 Fraternity. So who did I have the privilege of meeting?
Carlos Sainz Sr.
Federica Masolin from Sky Italia :
Antonio Boselli from Sky Italia :
Moko!
Jennie Gow from BBC F1 :
Sir Frank Williams, Founder & Team Principal of Williams F1 Team :
Alex Lynn, DAMS GP2 Racer and Williams F1 Development Driver :
I then decided to walk to the other Gate and I had the privilege of meeting Drivers and Senior Personnel of various teams.
Bob Fernley, Deputy Team Principal, Sahara Force India F1 Team :
Franz Tost, Team Principal, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :
Simon Rennie, Racing Engineer for ( Daniel Ricciardo ) Red Bull Racing F1 :
Carlos Sainz Jr., Scuderia Toro Rosso Driver :
The Honey Badger! Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull Racing F1:
Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal for Sauber F1 Team :
John Booth, Scuderia Toro Rosso ( Formerly team principal for Marussia ) :
Paddy Lowe, Executive Director of Mercedes AMG F1 Team :
Felipe Nasr of Sauber F1 Team :
The Sky was overcast for quite a while and then the rain came pounding down!
Cyril Abiteboul, MD of Renault Sport F1 Team :
Alain Prost, The Perfectionist :
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing in his debut weekend for his team :
Having a good laugh with Pascal Wehrlein, Manor Racing F1 Driver and Development Driver for Mercedes!
It was a brilliant and a very eventful Saturday at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Qualifying positions were far from ideal for Ferrari but Sunday is what matters and race pace has always been our forte!
I would like to thank Scuderia Ferrari F1 for all the hospitality shown to me and also to Edge Global F1 for ensuring a hassle free weekend!
Sunday post to follow. Soon!
Thank you once again for your support!