Day 3 of the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. D Day. The Day that matters.
Ferrari had faltered in Qualifying but their Race Simulations showed good pace on Friday.
I was pretty optimistic!
Photos shot with Sony HX400V, GoPro Hero4 Black and Samsung Note 5.
Enroute to the Circuit :
I decided to stay outside the Paddock area and hoped to meet some more famous people. My wish was fulfilled!
Piero Ferrari, Son of founder of Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari :
I was then able to have a moment with the man I adore and follow with zeal. MR. KIMI RAIKKONEN!!
Marcus Ericsson, driver for Sauber F1 Team :
Soon I noticed commotion in a corner. I was wondering what was going on. Then I realized it was Lewis Hamilton! He had ridden to the circuit on his MV Augusta Brutale 800!
What a stunning bike!
A moment with the Triple World Champion :
Sergio Perez, driver for Sahara Force India F1 :
Nico Hulkenberg, driver for Sahara Force India F1 :
Daniel Ricciardo ( Red Bull Racing ) again!
Nico Rosberg, one of the fastest guys on the grid driving for Mercedes AMG F1 Team :
Valtteri Bottas, Williams Martini Racing Driver :
Felipe Massa, Williams Martini Racing :
Jolyon Palmer, 2014 GP2 Champion & Renault Sport F1 Team Driver :
Esteban Ocon, Reserve Driver of Renault Sport F1 :
Daniil Kvyat, formerly a Red Bull Racing driver and now a Scuderia Toro Rooso Driver ( felt he was wronged ) :
Jenson Button! McLaren F1 Team Driver and 2009 World Champion!
Double World Champion and McLaren-Honda F1 Racing Driver, Fernando Alonso!
Romain Grosjean from Haas F1 Team :
Esteban Gutierrez of Haas F1 Team :
The Trophy for the Race Winner :
The Paddock on Sunday Morning :
Michael Latifi, Nicholas Latifi's ( DAMS GP2 Racer ) Brother :
I made it to the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Club and we were joined by Paul Hembery, Motorsport Director of Pirelli :
We were soon joined by Maurizio Arrivabene, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Principal in the Suite :
Video Link :
A Moment with the Boss :
Arrivabene left and it was time for Sebastian Vettel to visit the Suite. His Helmet and Race Suit :
Sebastian Vettel :
Vettel Q & A in the Suite ( Video Link ) :
A moment with the Quadruple World Champion!
Time to binge :
I didn't have much time during the Pit Lane Walk and was more concerned with getting a good view for the start of the race :
The grid being set up :
Cars out on sighting laps :
Cars being rolled to their grid spots :
Shots of the grid :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 on the grid :
Selfies with the GoPro :
The Kids who sang the Spanish National Anthem :
Some more shots :
Drivers & Team Personnel getting ready :
Cars ready for the formation lap :
Formation Lap - 2016 Spanish GP Video Link :
Lining up for the Race Start :
The 5 Red Lights illuminate and the Spanish Grand Prix is a go!
2016 Spanish Grand Prix Start ( Video Link ) :
The race started and Nico Rosberg lead Hamilton into T1 but both had a shocking coming together and got taken out at lap 1 much to the delight of the crowd at the race; guess they knew we would see one of the best races ever!
Safety Car was deployed to clear the mess :
Safety Car Deployed ( Video Link ) :
Race Restart after the Safety Car ( Video Link ) :
Shots from the Race! Got loads this time. Ricciardo lead the way only to lose the lead to Max Verstappen due to an extra pit stop. He was running 4th after that. Vettel too had an extra pit stop and fell back to 3rd while Kimi Raikkonen moved up to 2nd.
Scuderia Ferrari F1 during the race :
The Pit Wall was busy with giving important info to the drivers :
Video Links of 5 Pit Stops ( Total ) for Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen ( in chronological order ) :
Kimi's 1st Stop :
Seb's 1st Stop :
Seb's 2nd Stop :
Kimi's 2nd Stop :
Seb's 3rd Stop :
Kimi Raikkonen was chasing down Max Verstappen throughout the race. However the Red Bull was fantastic out of the final turn so the DRS on the Start Finish Straight proved ineffective.
Daniel Ricciardo was catching Vettel after his third stop and he did try a bold move which didn't come out right. Unfortunately he picked up a puncture in the fag end of the race and had to pit on the penultimate lap.
Ricciardo coming in to pit ( Video Link ) :
Max Verstappen held on to take the chequered flag and victory on his debut race for Red Bull! Unbelievable! Spare a thought for Dany Kvyat who was demoted to Toro Rosso for the same weekend. Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel drove strong races and finished on the podium for Ferrari! A Highly Successful weekend considering the state of affairs on Saturday Evening!
Chequered Flag ( Video Link ) :
Team Personnel, media and the fans running towards the podium to celebrate :
Hosts from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Club :
Red Bull Team Personnel Celebrating the win :
Final shots of the Paddock :
I left the Paddock Club and decided to hang around for sometime to see if I could get the opportunity of meeting some more people. I was happy that I stayed back!
Mark Arnall ( Kimi Raikkonen's Physio ) who obliged for a quick selfie with the packed trophy!
Spanish Arts Administrator & Podium Interviewer for the Spanish GP Placido Domingo :
Nicolas Todt, FIA President Jean Todt's Son :
Eric Boullier, Racing Director of McLaren F1 Team :
Britta Roeske, Sebastian Vettel's PR :
Pascal Wehrlein, Manor F1 Racing Driver & Mercedes Development Driver, a really nice guy!
Stoffel Vandoorne, 2015 GP2 Champion & McLaren F1 Reserve Driver :
Susie Wolff, Formerly Test Driver for Williams F1 Racing and Mr. Toto Wolff's wife :
Toto Wolff, Executive Director of Mercedes AMG F1 Team :
Susie and Toto Wolff were so kind to a young fan named Heilly :) The Couple are the nicest people in F1
Rio Haryanto, Race driver for Manor F1 Team :
Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing F1 :
Made New Friends over the weekend : Darren, Toni, Chris, Maurizio & Roberto
Returning to Barcelona :
However, for Many this was the best race up until that point.
I would like to thank Scuderia Ferrari F1 and the Hosts at the Ferrari F1 Club for all their Hospitality shown to me. The only disappointment was that the guests at the club didn't get a photo opportunity with the trophies ( unlike Lotus F1, now Renault Sport F1 ). I wish it was different.
A Big Thank You to Edge Global F1 for a hassle free, memorable experience! Flawless Service!
The Spanish Grand Prix experience doesn't end here, the experience at the First day of Testing still remains!
More to come!