Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the longest circuit on the F1 calendar and is home to the Belgian Grand Prix! The 2025 edition featured a Sprint Race to add to the weekend action! This was my 8th visit to the circuit, and every year it feels like a homecoming. I also had my friend Yang Fei accompanying me on his first-ever visit to this iconic track! After a 12-year wait, I returned to ( then Lotus F1 ) Alpine F1 team as a guest. The Enstone-based outfit has seen numerous personnel changes over the years, and it was interesting to meet an entirely new team of people in the Paddock Club now.
This is the first post of the Paddock Club Diaries from the Belgian GP weekend. We stayed at Aachen in Germany, and it was a 50-minute commute to the circuit and back.
The entire experience was captured with the Samsung S25 Ultra, DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and the Sony RX10 IV.
Enroute to the circuit :
The race passes, delivered in an exquisite bag!
Walking over to the Paddock Club entrance :
Coffee and Croissants to kickstart the day :
The First Pit Lane Walk of the weekend :
The 2025 Cars, up close and personal :
Visa Cash App RB F1 Team practising Pit Stops ( Video Link ) :
Shots from Free Practice, the only one from the race weekend!
At Alpine F1, the rules within the garage are more relaxed than at Ferrari, and the guests are allowed to click photographs even when the session is in progress! Stills from my Garage visit during Free Practice :
Practice Starts after Free Practice ( Video Link ) :
Oscar Piastri was the quickest from Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the end of Free Practice.
Enjoying some lunch after Free Practice :
Exploring the other parts of the Paddock Club, especially the rooftop for some stunning views of the track!
We had been punctual in booking ourselves for 2 activities for Friday, the Photo Safari and the Track Tour. Both happened in quick succession, with the Track tour happening during the 2nd pit lane walk of the day.
Stills from the Photo Safari, near the run up from Eau Rouge to Raidillon! It was an amazing sight to see F2 drivers navigate through this tricky section!
Capturing moments near the track from the Photo Safari!
It was soon time for the track tour, and these are stills from the longest track on the F1 Calendar, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps!
Track Tour ( Video Link ) :
After the Track tour, it was time to return to the Paddock Club to get ready for Sprint Qualifying!
The drivers lining up in the Pit Lane and waiting for the light to go green!
Stills from Sprint Qualifying :
Oscar Piastri took the sprint pole from Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Pierre Gasly qualified an impressive P8.
Post Sprint Qualifying, it was time to say goodbye to the Paddock Club as it shut for the day and head downstairs to spend some time in the Paddock!
As I walked through the Paddock, I got to see some amazing memorabilia on display and some upgraded Motorhomes!
Spending time in the Paddock also means meeting Motorsport stars, from the yesteryears and the new!
Juan Pablo Montoya, an F1 Legend from the Schumacher-Hakkinen Days!
Jack Doohan, always a pleasure to meet you!
Alpine Academy and Indian F2 Racer, Kush Maini!
F2 Racer Alexander Dunne :
Esteban Ocon, Moneygram Haas F1 Team :
Four-Time World Champion, Max Verstappen, Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :
Double World Champion, Fernando Alonso, Aramco Aston Martin F1 Team :
Getting Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to sign mini-helmets, the latter's special edition from Hungary last season... an achievement is an understatement!
The sun sets on a busy Friday in the Belgian GP Paddock :
As I walked back to the transfer point to head back to Aachen, a Mercedes car pulled up to the parking lot of Hotel de La Source and out stepped Kimi Antonelli! The fans ran across to meet the Italian Stallion, and he obliged at least 50 fans with selfies and autographs. Top Man!
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :
I have also published my Friday Experience on my YouTube Channel.
Friday Experience Vlog :
A big thank you to the hosts of the Alpine F1 Team for an incredible Friday. The Saturday and Sunday Experiences follow soon!