The Big Day arrived.

Sundays are always Special, the Stands are filled, the atmosphere is awesome. The Tension slowly builds as how you fare on the Sunday is all that matters. Friday and Saturday Performances don't bring home any points.

An early start on Sunday morning ensured that I had a smooth run to Monza :

Brisk Travel :

A short walk to the Paddock :

We were ushered straight into the Pit Lane, most shutters were down with team personnel yet to arrive.

The Shutters coming up :

McLaren Mercedes celebrated 50 Years of Racing and all Team Personnel wore Vintage attire. RESPECT McLaren Mercedes!

It was them time to enter the Paddock Club and the gifts today were simply fantastic!!

Tea Time :

Shots from the GP2 Grid ( 2nd Race ) :

The Motorhomes on Sunday Morning :

The Helicopters having a busy Sunday Morning ferrying Drivers and Top Team Personnel :

It was time for Kimi Raikkonen to arrive!!!! The Line was huge and many people wanted a moment with the Iceman. I missed the opportunity but I still have a couple more chances!!

However I was able to gift Kimi the gift I had made for him and the Team was gracious enough to publish it on Twitter!!

THE GIFT :

The Photo on Twitter :

Lunch :

Shots from the Final Pit Lane Walk :

Some Entertainment on Track :

The Team Pit-Wall

Practice Makes Perfect :

Got an autograph from Dani Pedrosa who came down for the race. He raced at Misano one week later in MotoGP.

A Light Shower made everyone run helter-skelter while the Mechanics ensured all that was important was covered :

I hurriedly finished my Dessert to ensure that I don't lose a good place to shoot photos from.

The Activity on the Grid :

The Cars ready for the Formation Lap :

Video Link :

The Cars taking their Grid Slots :


The Race Start ( Video Link ) :




Vettel had a clean getaway while Kimi too had a fantastic start. However Perez cut across Kimi and missed his braking point. Kimi suffered a huge lockup and rammed into the back of the McLaren, damaging his Front wing pretty badly. This isn't the first time these 2 have crossed paths and it is clear that McLaren are running out of patience with Perez. The Ensuing Damage meant that Kimi had to pit for a front wing change and rejoined way back down the grid. Frustrating.....


Shots from the first few laps :  

Lotus F1 Team having to play catchup. Romain was in a better position though.


Some Close Battles being fought :



Some more Shots from the Race :


Lotus F1 Team in action :


The Lotus F1 Pit Wall discussing Strategic Changes :


Their Planning paid dividends as Romain Grosjean reeled in the McLarens and the Toro Rosso.


Kimi Raikkonen too passed the Force India with relative ease and was on the tail of the McLaren duo :


Adrian Sutil drove into Retirement on the Penultimate Lap with Brake Failure :


Kimi Raikkonen's and Mark Webber's Cars stopped just after the Chequered Flag to save fuel for later scrutiny.


Sebastien Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber were the Podium Finishers. Massa, Hulkenberg, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Grosjean, Hamilton and Button completed the Top 10. Hamilton's late pit stop allowed up to charge upto 9th. Raikkonen produced a spirited drive but just missed out on points in 11th.


The Tifosi running towards the Podium


Fans as far as the Eyes can see!! Amazing, Absolutely Amazing!!



Podium Celebrations. Adrian Newey, the Da Vinci of Aerodynamics in F1 represented Red Bull Racing for collecting the Constructors' trophy. The Podium Interviews were carried out by the Great Sir John Surtees and Jean Alesi!



Mark Webber saying Goodbye to Fans in Europe :( He will be missed. AussieGrit all the Way!!



Fernando Alonso obliging the Tifosi with some photos :


Podium Celebrations ( Video Link ) :



As the Fans slowly left the track, the trucks came in and it was time to packup!!


Quick Photos with Kimi Raikkonen's Helmet!!


The Suite now bearing a deserted look :


The Motorhomes of 2013, for one last time!!


Made New Friends!!

Thank you Lotus F1 for all the Hospitality and Thank you Guys and Gals!



The way back to the Hotel :


It was a nice Sunday. We didn't achieve good results but memorable 3 days nonetheless.

Once again, a Big Thank You to the Lotus F1 Team for all the hospitality. Thank you to Anne-Charlotte Remy and Oliver Anderson for all the logistical help.

Thank you to Anita Nyers, Fleur Foster,  Luca Mazzocco, Francois Puentes, Frederic Garcia & Veronica Sassella for hosting me over the 3 days. Really enjoyed the Experience.

Indian GP is my next stop, till then God Bless and stay safe!!