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Paddock Club Diaries - 2018 German GP - Day 3

The Big day had arrived. It was the day of the 2018 German Grand Prix. Ferrari had one hand on the winner's trophy after Sebastian Vettel's brilliant pole on Saturday. So did they? Lets relive the day!


The Paddock on a Sunday Morning. The Place is abuzz with activity!


I went for a walk and bumped into some F1 Fraternity!

Pierre Gasly, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :


Alexandre Molina, the man who is a regular feature at the podium ceremonies :


Antonio Giovinazzi, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Reserve Driver :


I headed back to the Paddock Club and was just in time for Maurizio Arrivabene, the Team Principal's interview in the club :


Video Link of the Interview :



A Moment with the man, cordial and friendly as always :


I then ran across to the Club Suite and met Brendan Hartley, the WEC Champion and Toro Rosso F1 Driver!

Brendan Hartley, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :


I got myself some lunch and as I walked back, was shocked to see Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari F1 Club. He had come to see us before the scheduled time.


Video Link of the Interview :



Digging into some food :


I was one of the winners of the Golden Ticket, a Ticket that is placed in some F1 Race Programmes, the ticket enables you to be on the Truck Tour at the same time as the Drivers' Track Parade!


We waited for the truck to arrive and had front row seats as the Drivers headed out for the Track Parade.


Drivers' Track Parade Video Link : 



Still waiting for our truck. The main truck developed a technical snag so had to wait for the back-up :


On our way! The Track is ready for some action!


A special mention to the fans of Max Verstappen ( mainly Dutch ), better known as the Orange Army seated in the "Max Verstappen Stand".


I had the privilege of taking a Friend along on the Truck Tour. Some photos shot from the GoPro with my dear friend Jos Matthews!


The Truck tour ended and I just about had time to take some pictures before the Pit Lane shut for the guests.


The Drivers heading back to the Garage for the final time after bringing their cars on the grid. 


Grid Kids make their way to the front :


National Anthem time :


Getting ready for the Formation lap :


Formation Lap Video Link :



The 5 red lights illuminate and as they go out, the 2018 German Grand Prix is a go!


Race Start Video Link :


Some shots from the Race :



Scuderia Ferrari F1 during the Race :


A light drizzle caused a lot of unrest. Sebastian Vettel crashed into the barriers while leading the race while Lewis Hamilton stormed from P14 to take an unlikely victory. A massive blow to Vettel's title chances.

I got the chance of being at Parc-Ferme below the podium and was able to see the Interviews up close. Lewis Hamilton took victory from Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen. 


Parc Ferme :


Podium Interviews :


The Drivers headed for the Podium and the heavens opened. It was quite a challenge to take photos in the pouring rain but it didn't come off as bad as expected.


Mechanics busy covering the cars as the rain got harder :


Bucketing down!


Drenched :


Some more shots of a rainy evening in Hockenheim :


The Paddock Club was going to shut for the weekend and Ferrari were kind enough to give me Paddock passes for the rest of the evening!


Kimi Raikkonen also sent me a special gift, an autographed mini-helmet! Thank you Iceman!


Photos with the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Club Team! Great hosts!


The Paddock after a race Sunday, tear-down, pack and head out :


Sunday evening is another great time to meet the famous faces from the world of F1.

Grace Capristo, German Artist who had the honour of singing the National Anthem before the Race.


Toto Wolff, Team Principal for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :


Robert Kubica, reserve driver for Williams Martini Racing F1 Team :


Paul Ripke, Photographer for Mercedes AMG F1 Team :


Matteo Bonciani, head of F1 Communications for FIA :


Riccardo Adami, Sebastian Vettel's Race Engineer in Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :


Rosanna Tennant, presenter and host for F1 :


Lance Stroll, Williams Martini F1 Racing :


Nico Rosberg, 2016 F1 World Champion :


Will Buxton, Broadcaster and Journalist in F1 :


Carlos Sainz Jr., Renault Sport F1 Team :


Esteban Ocon, Sahara Force India F1 :


Bye bye Paddock, see you in Belgium :


Time to head back to Mannheim :


The German Grand Prix was a great experience. Sebastian Vettel's mistake which cost him a certain victory was a sad sight to behold, however a lot of races still remained to turn the tables. Kimi Raikkonen, my favourite stayed consistent as ever and I was happy to be under the podium under the pouring rain and celebrate his P3.


Belgian Grand Prix was the next race that I got a chance of attending. The experience will be documented soon. Once again, thank you to the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team and the hosts in the Ferrari F1 Club for the all the love and hospitality. Thank you to Edge Global Events for ensuring that nothing was out of order over the weekend.