Saturdays mean early morning starts and Day 2 of the 2014 United States GP started with a bang.
Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 were sharing the same hotel at the Domain and after a long wait I was able to get close to Lewis Hamilton who was preparing to leave for the Circuit.
Enroute to the Circuit :
I reached the Circuit and soon enough I was escorted downstairs for the Garage Tour with Scuderia Ferrari F1!
Shots from the Garage Tour :
I also got a few minutes with Mark Arnall, Kimi Raikkonen's Physical Instructor. Its always a pleasure speaking to him.
We made it back to the Paddock and it was time for the Saturday Free practice ( FP3 ). Teams would run Qualifying Simulations and prepare the cars for the Qualifying in the afternoon.
Shots from FP3 :
Scuderia Ferarri F1 during FP3 :
Kimi Raikkonen Pit Stop Practice in FP3 Video Link :
Lewis Hamilton was the fastest again in FP3 and the gap had increased to Eight Tenths of a second over team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen finished P5 and P9 respectively for Ferrari.
We were once again joined by Mattia Binotto ( COO - Power Unit ) who discussed about the technical changes in the power units this year and the challenges faced by Ferrari so far.
His Departure meant the arrival of THE ICEMAN KIMI RAIKKONEN! I was waiting for the moment to meet the Flying Finn and it happened again!!
Shots from Kimi Raikkonen's Interview :
Video Link to Kimi Raikkonen's Interview :
The End of the Interview came soon and Tom Clarkson, the Host announced my name to invite me onstage to get a quick photo with Kimi Raikkonen. Kimi was in a great mood and smiling ear to ear.
I gifted him the poem I had made for him and he was appreciative of my effort. It was a surreal moment!
The Poem :
Scuderia Ferrari were gracious to send me photos with him and here they are : MOMENTS WITH THE ICEMAN, THE FLYING FINN - KIMI RAIKKONEN!!
A Special Special Special Thank you to Mr. Larry DiBiase from Lambda
Performance GmbH for ensuring that I get the opportunity that I waited
for so long! I am so thankful for all the efforts he took. Thank you Sir!!
It was time for the Pit Lane Walk before Qualifying and the rush was enormous :
The Sun was out in full force and here are some shots from the Pit lane :
A moment with Claudio Bersini of Scuderia Ferrari F1 :
Shots from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Garage :
The Boys from Sky Sports F1 busy in the build up to Qualifying :
I returned upstairs and had a quick lunch.
Tummy Full, Camera Charged it was time to head outside and enjoy Qualifying.
The Absence of Caterham F1 and Marussia F1 meant that only 18 cars would take to track. Q1 would see the ouster of 4 cars, Q2 likewise. Q3 would be the usual 10 minute shootout between the remaining 10 drivers.
The Team Pit Walls are all occupied before the action starts.
Shots from Q1 :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 during Q1 :
Kimi Raikkonen Returing to the Pits in Q1. Video Link :
Lewis Hamilton was quickest in Q1. Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen were P5 and P9 respectively for Ferrari.
Sebastien Vettel had switched to a 6th Power Unit and Red Bull decided not to put extra mileage on the unit. They let him do one flying lap but the German couldn't make the cut into Q2.
Vergne, Gutierrez, Vettel and Grosjean were eliminated.
A dejected Vergne returning to his garage :
Q2 started on schedule.
Shots from Q2 :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 in Q2 :
Nico Rosberg turned the tables and was fastest for the first time. Fernando Alonso was P6 and Kimi Raikkonen was P9 for Ferrari.
Maldonado, Perez, Hulkenberg and Kvyat were eliminated in Q2.
Q3 would be the final shootout. Shots from Q3 :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 in Q3 :
Nico Rosberg powered himself to another pole, being the fastest when it mattered against Lewis Hamilton. Lewis was P2 with Bottas P3. Alonso and Raikkonen could only manage P6 and P9 respectively for Ferrari. Raikkonen however moved up to P8 as Button qualified P7 but dropped 5 grid spots for a gearbox change. Kvyat qualified P14 but dropped 10 places for an engine change.
Vettel who qualified P17 started from the pit lane for the complete power unit change.
Parc fermé ready after Q3 :
Sky Sports F1 interviewing the Mercedes Pit Wall at the end of Q3 :
The Paddock abuzz after Qualifying :
Graeme Lowdon ( Marussia F1 President and Sporting Director ) in the Paddock and deep in conversation with a FIA Representative :
The Team Principals holding a meeting following the crisis in F1 in regards to Fund Distribution
A Happy Mr. and Mrs. Rosberg posing with Friends. Lewis Hamilton in conversation with friends from the UK :
Fernando and Kimi look the part..don't they?
Some amazing clicks of the First turn in the setting sun :
A Moment with the Race Winner's Trophy :
Returning to the Domain :
It was a memorable Saturday, a dream come true. The Moment with Kimi Raikkonen was surreal. Expectations were high for Sunday.
A Special Thank you to Mr. Larry DiBiase from Lambda Performance GmbH for all his efforts to ensure that I got my moment with Kimi Raikkonen!
Thank you to the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team for all the Hospitality.
A Big Thank You to Ma'am Emilia Capasso, Simona De Filippis and Shotije Bega from Ferrari for helping me get a picture with Kimi Raikkonen and entertaining me throughout the day.
Sunday Experience coming soon so watch this space!