Hungary and Belgium were the two destinations I had the privilege of visiting in 2022 during the 2022 F1 World Championship.
I drew elaborate plans to attend not just F1 races but also other motorsport events in 2023. The dream turned into reality when I got the opportunity to attend the 2023 F1 Spanish Grand Prix, followed by the 24 Hours of Le Mans the following weekend!
My first trip to Europe in 2023 was truly memorable, and this is the start of the Paddock Club Diaries from the 2023 F1 Season.
As always, let's begin with the Friday Experience of an F1 Grand Prix Weekend!
Enroute to the Circuit :
We first needed to visit the Team Hotel to pick up our Race Passes for the weekend :
Welcome to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya! A truly beautiful Friday morning :
Coffee and Croissants to kickstart my day :
The views from the Ferrari F1 Club :
The Ferrari F1 Club, as always, Ferrari had a suite of their own!
It was soon time for the Formula 2 Practice Session to begin and here are some shots from that session :
Post-session, my friend and I decided to head down to the Paddock to enjoy some "behind the scenes" views!
As expected, I had the opportunity to meet some people from the Motorsport Fraternity, including some drivers from the 2023 grid.
Pedro De La Rosa, Aston Martin Racing Ambassador :
Laurent Mekies, Scuderia Ferrari F1 team Racing Director :
Current F2 Champion and Aston Martin Racing Reserve Driver, Felipe Drugovich :
Aston Martin Racing Ambassador Jessica Hawkins :
Miguel Molina, Driver for Car Number 50 with Ferrari Hypercar in the World Endurance Championship :
Ralf Schumacher, an F1 Legend from the 2000s :
Nyck de Vries, Scuderia Alpha Tauri F1 Team :
Lawrence Stroll, the owner of Aston Martin Racing :
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team :
Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo Stake F1 Team :
Yuki Tsunoda, Scuderia Alpha Tauri F1 Team :
After spending some time in the Paddock, I walked across to the Pit Lane to be a part of the first pit lane walk of the weekend, beholding the 2023 cars up close!
Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team, practising pit stops :
Time for some lunch! A great spread of course, and oh, the Pizza is amazing!
While Lunch was served, it was time for some F1 action on track,and Free Practice 1 got underway.
Shots from FP1 :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team during FP1 :
Charles Leclerc pits during FP1 for a Pit Stop ( Video Link ) :
Some stills with the Samsung S23 Ultra :
The Chequered Flag gets waved at the end of FP1 :
The drivers use the time after a practice session to practice their starts from the Grid Slots :
Video Link for the Practice Starts :
The Ferrari drivers returning to the Pits after FP1 :
Max Verstappen topped the timesheets from Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. were P8 and P9, respectively.
After the session, Rupert Manwaring, Carlos Sainz's Performance Coach, visited the Ferrari F1 Club for an interview :
Video Link of the Interview :
I then headed to the Club Lounge to enjoy some light bites from the Food Stations there :
I returned in time to enjoy watching an interview with the Scuderia Ferrari Ambassador, Marc Gene :
Video Link of the Interview :
Free Practice 2 getting underway :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 during FP2 :
Some shots of FP2, with the Samsung S23 Ultra :
Drivers gaining more experience with their Practice Starts :
Sainz returning to the pits after a fruitful session at his home race :
Verstappen was the quickest again in FP2, from Alonso and Hulkenberg. Leclerc and Sainz improved to P6 and P7, respectively.
Post FP2, it was time to leave the Paddock Club and head downstairs for the second pit lane walk of the day.
Saying goodbye to the Paddock Club on Friday evening :
Shots from the Pit Lane walk, taken with the Sony RX10 IV :
Some Stills with the Samsung S23 Ultra :
Shots from the Scuderia Ferrari Garage during the Pit Lane walk :
Jack Doohan!
Davide Brivio, Alpine F1 Racing Director & formerly Team Manager for Ecstar Suzuki in Moto GP :
Meeting my Motorsports hero again, Mick Doohan! Such a joy it is to see him fighting fit as always!
Esteban Ocon, Alpine Racing F1 Team :
James Vowles, Williams Racing F1 Team Principal :
Returning to my hotel in Barcelona :
I have also shared my Friday Experience in a Vlog published on YouTube.
Video Link :
Thank you to the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team and the Hosts of the Ferrari F1 Club for having me as a guest at the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix. It wasn't the strongest showing by the Ferrari drivers but the team looked positive for a better showing on Saturday and Sunday.
The experiences from the rest of the weekend to follow shortly, so watch this space!