Sunday had arrived. The hard work on Friday and Saturday would come to naught if Sunday wasn't a fruitful day for teams and drivers. Sunday is the D Day in F1. A lot can happen on a Sunday. Sebastian Vettel in P2, Kimi Raikkonen in P6...how enjoyable was our Sunday? Time to have a quick recap.
Enroute to the circuit :
A lot of companies offer supercars or even race spec cars for track days at Spa, some were on display.
Supercars on display near the circuit :
A Misty start to the day :
The day begins with the GP3 Race 2. I had the opportunity of being at the end of the Pit Lane and witnessing some Practice Starts.
Video Link :
GP3 Race 2 Start ( Video Link ) :
The second order of the day was the Formula 2 Sprint Race.
Cars lining up on the Grid for the start of the F2 Sprint Race :
Race Start ( Video Link ) :
Shots from the F2 Sprint Race :
The Sprint race ended and it was time to welcome the team principal Maurizio Arrivabene and Sebastian Vettel to the Suite for Interviews.
Maurizio Arrivabene Q&A :
The Video Link to the Interview :
Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari F1 Suite :
I missed Vettel's Interview since I was away in another area getting a photo with Bottas and Seb turned up before his allotted time.
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG F1 Team :
Meanwhile there was some activity happening ontrack too!
A Vintage Ferrari F1 car doing the rounds around Spa :
A friend of mine was kind enough to offer me a spot on the Gold Tour - The Paddock Club Truck Tour which follows the F1 Drivers' Parade Lap on Sunday. You must receive a Golden Ticket in the F1 Race Programme on Sunday to be eligible for the experience.\
Some great pics from the Sunday Paddock Club Truck Tour :
We made it back to the Club and there was still time for a final walk of the Pit Lane.
Shots from the Final Pit Lane Walk of the weekend :
The Drivers getting ready for the National Anthem at the front of the grid :
Counting down to the Formation lap :
Time to roll out for the Formation lap :
Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :
The Mechanics rushing back to their Pit boxes to prepare for any eventuality during the opening lap :
The 5 Red Lights illuminate and as they go out, the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix is a go!
The Video Link to the Race Start :
Safety Car Period ( Video Link ) :
Shots from the Race :
Kimi Raikkonen was one of those affected from the first lap shunt and suffered from the DRS Rear Wing Flap Failure. His car also had a lot of floor damage and he couldn't continue racing. Sebastian Vettel jumped Lewis Hamilton at the start and the latter could never mount any challenge after that. Ferrari took a deserved win, Lewis Hamilton in P2 and Max Verstappen in P3, leaving the Fans in the "Orange Stand" in a very joyous mood.
Parc Ferme and Sebastian Vettel takes the win, a comfortable win for the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
Celebrations and Interviews before heading to the Podium :
Parc Ferme Celebrations ( Video Link ) :
Podium Celebrations :
Video Link :
Photo Session time :
Time to take the chariots back to their pens!
Friends..Family!
A Moment with the Hosts at Ferrari ( always smiling and welcoming ) and Julia from Red Bull :
I got an opportunity to head down to the Paddock post race and meet and interact with some F1 Fraternity!
Antii Kontsas, Sebastian Vettel's Physio :
Noemi de Miguel, Presenter for Movistar F1 :
Sir Franz Tost, Scuderia Toro Rosso Team Principal :
Mark Webber, ex F1 Driver and Channel 4 Co-Presenter :
Marcus Ericsson, Sauber F1 Team :
Charles LeClerc, Sauber F1 Team :
Pierre Gasly, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing F1 Team :
Carlo Santi ( Kimi's Race Engineer ) and Carlos ( handling Engine Data ) from Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
The Paddock Packing up for Monza which was the weekend later.
I made my way back to Aachen, thankful to the Lord for the experiences I experience in life. Yes I was massively disappointed with the result for Kimi but the day was very memorable nonetheless.
Once again, Scuderia Ferrari had showered me with world class hospitality. Edge Global Events didn't put a foot wrong and ensured a hassle free weekend for me. There is nothing more that I could have asked for from these wonderful people!
The "Paddock Club Diaries" from 2018 will conclude after the Abu Dhabi GP ( Season ender ) experience. So watch this space!