Welcome to Raceday!!
A Battle Royale awaited us on Sunday and it was a battle that didn't disappoint!
Enroute to the Circuit :
The Vintage Cars to be used during the Drivers' Track Parade on display :
With Kimi Raikkonen's Chariot :
A Beautiful morning at the Circuit of the Americas :
3 teams were protesting against the Funds Distribution on F1 and Sunday Morning in the paddock was tense.
Gerard Lopez ( Lotus F1 Team Principal ) in conversation with Monisha Kaltenborn ( Sauber F1 Team Principal ) :
Breakfast Time :
Shots from the Paddock. A certain Emerson Fittipaldi featuring here :
The Ferrari V8 Cars on the Starting Grid :
We were soon joined by Giancarlo Fisichella ( Ferrari Test Driver ) :
Video Link :
His Departure meant the arrival of the Spaniard, the 2 Time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso :
Video Link of Alonso's Interview :
Sky Sports F1 readying themselves for the Pre-Race Show :
Soon it was time to go downstairs for the Final Pit Lane Walk of the Weekend.
The Pit lane looking ready for the race :
Teams busy practicing their Pit Stops :
Sahara Force India F1 Team gathering together for a Photo Shoot :
The Podium which will be ready for the race winner :
I had the privilege of getting close to the drivers as they were leaving for the Drivers' Track Parade!!
Video Link for "Drivers enroute to the Track Parade" :
Drivers getting into their Vintage Cars :
Video Link :
An Airplane promoting a F1 Car Event :
The FIA Weigh Bridge which will see a lot of activity post race :
The Drivers returning from the Track Parade :
Video Link :
The Safety Car, Mercedes SLS - AMG :
The pre-race show on track :
I rushed back upstairs to finish a quick lunch :
It was time to go outside and watch the preparations for the Grand Prix.
Cars rolling out of the Garages :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 rolls out :
F1 Team Bosses, Celebrities ensure that the Paddock is abuzz with activity :
Shots from the Starting Grid :
The Clock ran down and it was time for the start of the Formation Lap :
Video Link of the Formation Lap :
The Mechanics running back to the garages after the cars roll out for the Formation Lap :
A crash on the First Lap meant that the Stewards would send out the Safety Car :
Video Link :
Shots from the Race :
Video Link for Nico Rosberg's Pit Stop :
Video Link for Lewis Hamilton's Pit Stop :
Video Link for Daniel Ricciardo's Pit Stop :
Pastor Maldonado was penalised with a 5 sec Stop Go Penalty which he served during his pit stop.
Video Link :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 during the Race :
Video Link for Fernando Alonso's Pit Stop :
Video Link for Kimi Raikkonen's Pit Stop :
Video Link for Kimi Raikkonen's 2nd Pit Stop :
Lewis Hamilton took the lead from Nico Rosberg and once the move was done, he was unchallenged.
The pitlane was abuzz with activity as the Chequered Flag was being waved.
Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg completed another 1-2 for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team. Daniel Ricciardo was P3 for Red Bull Racing.
Fernando Alonso was P6 for Ferrari while Kimi Raikkonen struggled and finished a disappointing P13.
Another weekend to forget as a Raikkonen Fan. :(
Sky Sports F1 interviewing the Mercedes AMG Petronas Pit Wall :
Cars coming on to Parc fermé :
Scuderia Ferrari F1 on Parc fermé :
There were a huge number of Lewis Hamilton Fans at the circuit and all of them congregated in front of the Mercedes Garage to celebrate his victory. They were even featured on Sky Sports F1 :
In the Sea of Lewis Hamilton Fans, there were a handful of Kimi Raikkonen admirers. A pleasure to see them!
Soon Enough it was time for the Mechanics gather all the equipment, put them in containers and ship them to Brazil, a race happening the next weekend.
The Fans walking on track towards the garages at the Circuit of the Americas :
The Ferrari Formula 1 Club that had hosted us over the weekend :
Some more shots from the Suite :
Replica of the 2007 engine that won Kimi Raikkonen the Drivers' World Championship and Ferrari the Constructors' Championship :
A moment with Ma'am Shotije Bega, Simona De Filippis and Emilia Capasso from Ferrari :
I left the suite and went upstairs to the Paddock Lounge to get some final shots of the Circuit.
The Circuit in the setting sun :
There were some really interesting cycle rickshaws near the Main Grandstand at the Circuit :
The Final shots from the Circuit of the Americas :
Thank you for a great weekend Formula 1!!
This was my final race for 2014 and I am yet to draw plans for 2015.
I must reiterate that although my experiences with Ferrari were par excellence, watching Kimi Raikkonen struggle was a big downer.
Nevertheless a Big Thank you to Ferrari for all the Hospitality and Entertainment over the weekend.
A Big Thank you to Ma'am Emilia Capasso, Simona De Filippis and Shotije Bega from Ferrari for being Fantastic Hosts!
The Circuit of the Americas was the best circuit in terms of the Facilities offered, the ease of access and really friendly and welcoming nature of each and everyone working at the circuit.
The Staff ensured smooth running through the whole weekend and full credit to the organisers for putting together such a fantastic weekend.
The Paddock Club Diaries series will be back in 2015.
Season Review coming up soon.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone. Thank you for continuous support offered to this Blog.
Be safe and God Bless you all!