Sundays are the most exciting and tense days of any race weekend. The show-stopper, or the main event, the Grand Prix , takes place on Sunday. Everything else that unfolded over the previous two days suddenly becomes irrelevant! Points are awarded on Sunday, and the day begins early for fans and team personnel.
The Sunday Experience at the 2024 F1 Belgian GP was captured with the Sony RX10 IV, DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
It was an early morning start for us on Sunday. We had to check out of our hotel in Hasselt since we intended to return to Brussels on Sunday night.
Driving to the circuit :
The traffic en route, even during the early hours was humungous, and after navigating through it, I barely made it in time for the Carlos Sainz Jr interview in the Paddock Club. As I rushed to the Ferrari F1 Club, the Spaniard had already arrived and our MC James Towers was interviewing him.
Carlos Sainz Jr in the Ferrari F1 Club :
After Sainz's departure, I settled into my seat and wanted to indulge in some savouries & sweets.
Croissants for Breakfast :
A glorious Sunday morning at the races!
The final legends parade of the weekend, featuring some classic F1 cars!
Sunday is when the Paddock Club gets visited by several drivers, sometimes at overlapping time slots. I had to be picky about who to meet and since Red Bull Hospitality was next to us, decision-making was easy.
A moment with Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team.. unfortunately, the Honey Badger got forced out of the sport. This might be my last memory with him :(
There was a lull before the final pit lane walk and I had a 90-minute gap to Fred Vasseur's visit to the Ferrari F1 Club. I used it to visit the Fan Zone with my friend.
Getting out of the Paddock Club to go to the Fan Zone :
After a long walk, I finally reached the Fan Zone.
Stills from the Fan Zone :
Beautiful views of Raidillon :
Unfortunately, I got delayed at the Fan Zone and missed meeting Mr. Fredric Vasseur. Also, due to the non-availability of a shuttle, I had to walk back to the Paddock Club. More cardio!
A stricken Porsche being taken back to the support race paddock :
As I came through one of the tunnels to the support race paddock, I met Victor Martins, who had completed his Formula 2 race and was headed home from the track.
Victor Martins, Alpine Academy F2 Racer :
It was time for the final pit lane walk of the day and as I entered the Pit lane, I met another Alpine Academy Driver.
Sophia Floersch, Alpine Academy and F3 Racer :
Stills from the final Pit Lane Walk of the weekend :
The Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team practising pit stops :
Video Link of the Pit Stop Practice :
Carlos Sainz Jr's Car undergoing system checks before the race ( Video Link ) :
Post the pit lane walk, I rushed back upstairs.
Time for a quick lunch before getting a vantage point for the race :
The buildup to the race begins. Drivers getting wheeled to their respective grid slots :
Stills from the grid :
The Red Bull top brass and drivers getting ready for the GP :
The Doohans! Father-son duo on the grid :
Drivers getting suited up for the race start :
Carlos Sainz, Game face on!
Counting down to the formation lap as the grid is cleared of all non-essential personnel :
Formation Lap ( Video Links ) :
With Sony RX10 IV :
With DJI Osmo Pocket 3 :
Race Start ( Video Links ) :
With Sony RX10 IV :
With DJI Osmo Pocket 3 :
Shots from the race :
Towards the end, I walked to the Viewing Terrace which was above the Parc Ferme & the Finish Line. It also offered views of the Bus Stop Chicane.
Shots of the Bus Stop Chicane :
Chequered Flag after the race ( Video Links ) :
With Sony RX10 IV :
With DJI Osmo Pocket 3 :
Right above Parc Ferme, great to see the drivers lining up at the weighbridge :
Interviews of the Podium finishers :
Right after the interviews, the team offered me the opportunity to attend the Podium Ceremony from Pit Lane. I rushed down and after a mega sprint, I was just in time to witness the celebrations!
Shots from the Podium Ceremony :
Video Link of the Podium Celebrations :
George Russell produced a masterclass to snatch victory from Lewis Hamilton with a one-stop strategy. Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri completed the podium. Although Russell won the race, he got disqualified after failing to reach the minimum weight requirements mandated by the FIA! We didn't receive this news until a lot later.
As a result, Lewis Hamilton inherited the win. Oscar Piastri got promoted to P2 while Charles Leclerc bagged P3. Carlos Sainz Jr finished P6 in the other Ferrari.
The pit lane after the race and the ceremonies are done :
Met Esteban Ocon, Alpine Racing F1 Team as I walked back to the Paddock Club :
Fans being escorted from the Pit Straight after the post-race track invasion :
It was time to say goodbye to the Paddock Club and the hosts who have become amazing friends!
The hosts of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
We still had time before heading back to Brussels and thanks to my friend Greg, we got the opportunity to spend some time in the Paddock!
Welcome to the F1 Paddock, again!
Getting to meet some motorsport fraternity as they headed back home!
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team :
Mr John Elkann, Chairman of Ferrari and Fiat :
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Kick Sauber :
Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :
Carlos Sainz Jr, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
After 45 minutes, the guests got ushered out of the paddock as the team personnel commenced tearing down the motorhomes to ship them back to their respective bases for the summer break!
Taking in the sights of Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, one last time :
Time to head back.. to Brussels!
My Vlog about the Sunday Experience is also live on my YouTube Channel!
Vlog Link about the Sunday Experience on my YouTube Channel :
It was an amazing experience at the 2024 F1 Belgian GP. My college friend Gautam accompanied me, making this race more special! A big thank you to the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team and their hosts for their kindness and hospitality over the weekend!
The Paddock Club Diaries series will return in 2025 ( God willing ). Thank you for your support and love!