The Austrian GP is one of the most exciting races on the F1 Calendar. The venue has also produced some nail-biting finishes in MotoGP. The Red Bull Ring ( as the track is called ) is nestled in the hills of Spielberg in the region of Styria and can easily rival Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium when it comes to being picturesque.
The Austrian Grand Prix is also the home race for Red Bull Racing, the dominant force in this era of Formula 1. Having visited the circuit in 2015, I always wanted to return to this iconic race, but logistical issues and the scheduling made me think otherwise. Finally, I had the opportunity to revisit this race track in 2024 and wasted no time making the necessary arrangements!
It was also a Sprint Race weekend, which meant that there would be a single Practice Session followed by Sprint Qualifying on Friday.
The Race was held from 28th June to 30th June and although it was quite a commute for me from the city of Graz, the journey was very much worth it!
This was also the first time where the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team didn't have a suite of their own but were in a shared space in the Club Suite.
This is the start of the Paddock Club Diaries from the 2024 Season!
Pictures and Videos were taken with the Sony RX10 IV and Samsung S24 Ultra.
Enroute to the circuit :
The Race passes for the weekend!
Welcome to the F1 Paddock Club in Austria :
Enjoying some Croissants in the morning :
Amazing backdrop with the Paddock in place :
Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :
Visa Cash App RB F1 Team practising Pitstops ( Video Link ) :
Williams Racing F1 Team practising Pitstops ( Video Link ) :
Stills from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Garage :
Taking a ride around the track, thanks to the Paddock Club Track Tour :
Video Link of the Track Tour :
Time for some lunch before the start of Free Practice, the only one for the weekend :
Shots from Free Practice :
Max Verstappen was the quickest in Practice from Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc. Carlos Sainz Jr was 4th in the other Ferrari.
I had the opportunity to visit the garage for the final few minutes of Free Practice. Some Stills from the Paddock :
ARAS, the world's most gifted freestyle bike rider performing stunts :
The F2 Qualifying session underway :
A lull after two intense sessions on track :
Shots from the 2nd Pit Lane Walk of the Day :
Moments outside the Scuderia Ferrari F1 garage :
The Pit Walls getting ready for Sprint Qualifying :
Shots from Sprint Qualifying!
SQ1 :
SQ2 :
Max Verstappen was the quickest of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Carlos Sainz Jr was P5 with Charles Leclerc failing to set a lap time in P10 for Ferrari.
It was a mixed bag for Ferrari in Sprint Qualifying but things still looked positive for the rest of the weekend.
Shortly after, the Club Suite shut but guests were allowed to spend more time in the Club Lounge, a common hospitality area.
Time for some Pizza and Gelato in the Club Lounge :
Friday ends at the Paddock Club, and time for the drivers to relax in the motorhomes :
As I got out of the Paddock Club, I decided to walk across to the Paddock Parking to see if I could get a few selfies with some drivers as they headed home from the track!
Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber :
Kevin Magnussen, Moneygram Haas F1 Team :
Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team :
Logan Sargeant, Williams Racing F1 Team :
Mick Schumacher, Reserve driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and WEC Driver for Alpine Endurance Team :
Laurent Mekies, Team Principal, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :
Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team :
Ravin Jain, Chief Strategist, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
Charles Leclerc! Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
Gerhard Berger, an Austrian F1 Legend!
Gianpiero Lambiase & Peter Bonnington, Race Engineers for Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton!
Goodbye, Paddock and the Paddock Club. The Curfew in effect for the teams and mechanics :
Heading back to Graz after a busy Friday!
I also compiled a Vlog about my Friday Experience, which is already live on my YouTube Channel!
Video Link :
It was an amazing Friday at the Red Bull Ring. Thankfully it stayed dry throughout the day and both the teams and drivers could make full use of the conditions to prepare for the Sprint Weekend.
A big thank you to the New Hosts of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Club for giving me a memorable Friday at the Racetrack. The Saturday and Sunday experiences follow shortly after!
Watch this Space!