The biggest day of the race weekend finally arrived! Sunday sees maximum attendance and the grand finale of any F1 weekend, the Grand Prix! My journey out of Graz began early in the morning due to the action-packed schedule, from the F3 and F2 Feature Races in the morning to the F1 Grand Prix in the afternoon. Also, the traffic situation would worsen as the day wore on.
The Sunday experience is shot with the Sony RX10 IV and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra!
En route to the circuit. Thankfully the journey was smooth with minimal traffic :
Walking up to the Paddock Club Entrance rather than taking the shuttle from the Taxi Stand. I walked through the F1 Village behind the Main Grandstand.
Kickstarting the Day with some Yogurt, Mushrooms and Croissants :
Spending some time in the Paddock. The Paddock is abuzz on Sunday as everyone gears up for the Grand Prix on Sunday Afternoon :
I got the chance to meet some famous faces in the Paddock too!
Alexander Wurz, former F1 Driver and now a race steward :
Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :
1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve :
Former F1 Driver Roberto Merhi :
Upcoming Formula 2 sensation and McLaren Academy Driver Gabriel Bortoleto :
Charles Leclerc was visiting the Ferrari motorhome for an interview with the team partners and the hosts were kind enough to invite me into the hospitality :
Oliver York did a stellar job at interviewing Leclerc!
Video Link of the Interview :
I then headed down for Sunday's only pit lane walk.
Stills from the final Pit Lane walk of the weekend :
The Scuderia Ferrari mechanics get ready for some Pit Stop Practice :
Video Link of the Pit Stop Practice :
A moment with friends and hosts from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
A moment with Rally Racer Christine GZ, who was born in Pondicherry, India :
Having a quick bite before the Grand Prix :
Enjoying the Air Display by the Austrian Air Force :
A Video of the Air Display :
The drivers head out of the pit lane for their sighting laps :
Mechanics walk over to the grid with the necessary equipment :
Wheeling the cars into the grid slots and the drivers hop out for their final loo breaks :
The front of the grid being readied for the National Anthem :
Shots of the Grid :
Football Freestylers Arnaud Sean Garnier & Jasmin Janssen showcase their skills ( Video Link ) :
Hans Zimmer and his troupe present their rendition of the National Anthem :
The Drivers assemble at the front of the grid for the National Anthem :
A rendition of the Austrian National Anthem by Hans Zimmer ( Video Link ) :
Time for the final preparations on the grid :
Formation Lap gets underway :
Video Link of the Formation Lap :
The Race Start ( Video Link ) :
Stills from the Race :
Video Link of Fernando Alonso's Pit Stop :
Lando Norris retires from the Austrian GP ( Video Link ) :
The Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team drivers racing hard for a good result :
Lando Norris, who retired after an incident with Max Verstappen, stands at the McLaren pit wall for the remainder of the race :
Chequered Flag ( Video Link ) :
George Russell won the Austrian Grand Prix over Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz Jr. Charles Leclerc was P11 in the other Ferrari. An incident on the opening lap damaged the front wing of Leclerc's car and it was an uphill task to recover positions from thereon.
The Paddock and the crowds gather to witness the podium ceremony :
Getting a vantage spot to view the celebrations :
The Podium Ceremony underway :
Video Link of the Podium Celebrations :
The crowd soaking in the atmosphere :
The podium finishers walk back to the cool-down room. Glad to capture Russell smiling ear-to-ear :
The Paddock Club shut for the weekend shortly thereafter, and it was time to say goodbye to one of the best Paddock Clubs in the F1 Calendar.
Time for an ice cream to celebrate an amazing weekend :
I got down from the Paddock Club and saw a couple waiting with bated breath outside the Paddock Entrance. Soon enough, I knew why!
Hans Zimmer, the legendary Score Composer and Music Composer! So approachable, so friendly!
Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :
Pierre Gasly, Alpine F1 Team :
Carlos Sainz Jr, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
Time to say goodbye to Red Bull Ring after an amazing weekend!
I also compiled a Vlog on my YouTube Channel about the Sunday experience!
The Vlog about my Sunday Experience at the Austrian GP :
All in all, it was a bitter-sweet day for Ferrari with Sainz Jr on the podium and Leclerc's progress getting hampered by the incident on the opening lap. Nevertheless, it felt great to be back at the Red Bull Ring after 9 years.
The scenery and the views around the track were as beautiful as they were back then!
A Big Thank You to the hosts of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team for a memorable weekend at the 2024 Austrian GP. Although the hosts changed for the season, it was amazing to meet the new hosts and make new friends!
The Paddock Club Diaries returns with experiences and memories from the Belgian GP!