The Belgian Grand Prix remains one of the most iconic races on the F1 Calendar. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the venue for the Belgian Grand Prix is also the longest track on the calendar and a must-visit for any motorsport fan. Visiting this circuit has become like an annual pilgrimage for me and there was no hesitance in attending the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix when the opportunity presented itself.

The event was held from the 26th to the 28th of July in 2024, right before the summer break for the series. My dear friend Gautam ( who currently resides in Belgium ) also decided to accompany me for the weekend. As a childhood motorsport fan, it was his first F1 experience.

We stayed in Hasselt and had the luxury of driving to the circuit and back throughout the weekend. 

Memories from this race commence with the Friday Experience and the entire experience was shot with the Sony RX10 IV, DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Enroute to Spa-Francorchamps :

The Race Passes! We had to drive to the team hotel in Spa to collect the race passes for the weekend. Funnily enough, the team member mentioned my name incorrectly on the envelope!

After navigating through some traffic, we finally reached the parking and I walked over to the Paddock Club.

Welcome to the Ferrari F1 Club :

Views from the Paddock Club :

Coffee and Croissants for breakfast :

After a quick coffee to kickstart my Friday, it was time to head down for the Pit Lane Walk.

Shots from the first pit lane walk of the weekend :

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Garage, Charles Leclerc taking a special child around his car :

Systems Checks on Valtteri Bottas' Car ( Video Link ) :

McLaren F1 Team Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

Visa Cash App RB F1 Team Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

As we returned to the Paddock Club, it was time to listen to some insights from Oliver York.

British Karting Champion, Former F4 driver and now an expert host, Oliver York visiting the Ferrari F1 Club and explaining about the F1 Steering Wheel :

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 Wheel, Explained by Oliver York ( Video Link ) :

It was now time for the first practice session of the weekend.

Shots from Free Practice 1 :

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 duo during FP1 :

Practice Starts after Free Practice 1 ( Video Link ) :

Max Verstappen was the quickest in FP1 from Oscar Piastri and Alexander Albon. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr were P6 and P9 for Ferrari, respectively. 

Time for some lunch, shortly after FP1 :

After FP1, the team granted me access to visit the F1 Paddock.

Spending some time in the Paddock :

The time in the Paddock was fruitful as I met a couple of F1 Drivers.

Nico Hulkenberg, Moneygram Haas F1 Team :

Triple World Champion Max Verstappen, Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Shortly after, it was time for the 2nd Practice session of the day.

Free Practice 2 underway :

 The Scuderia Ferrari duo during FP2 :

Lando Norris was the quickest in FP2 from Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr were P4 and P5 for Ferrari, respectively.

The Ferrari F1 Club was finally shut for the day ( after FP2 ) and it was time to say goodbye!

Enjoying some ice cream before leaving the Paddock Club :

Post the contract activities, I took my friend Gautam for a quick tour of the support race paddock.

A walk through the support race paddock :

The F1 Classic Car garages :

As we walked back from the support race paddock, we got invited over by our friends to hop onto one of the trucks for a tour of the circuit onboard one of the trucks. As always, touring Circuit de Spa Francorchamps is an amazing experience.

Stills from the Track Tour from one of the trucks :

Video Link to the Paddock Club Track Tour :

The pit lane shut and unfortunately, we couldn't visit the garages for the 2nd Pit Lane Walk of the day. Nevertheless, we walked down to the parking area outside the paddock to meet some more F1 Fraternity!

Formula E Champion, ex F1 Racer and Racing for Peugeot in WEC, Stoffel Vandoorne :

Hollywood Legend Brad Pitt!! or Mr Sonny Hayes ( his character in the F1 film ) :P

We left the circuit at 830 pm to return to Hasselt and arrange for some dinner!

Returning to Hasselt :

I also published my Friday experience as a Vlog on my YouTube Channel.

Vlog about my Friday Experience at the Belgian GP :

It was an amazing Friday at the Belgian Grand Prix and a big shout-out to the Hosts of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team and Philip Morris for their hospitality and attention!

The Saturday and Sunday experiences follow shortly!

The Belgian Grand Prix is my favourite race on the F1 Calendar. Travelling to Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps feels like a pilgrimage now! The circuit is one of the classic tracks with F1 history galore and is popular amongst drivers and fans. Nestled in the Ardennes forest, Spa's inclement weather and old-school layout ensure that a fan gets his cardio workout!

As always, the experience of a race weekend begins with a post in "A Gallery of Memories" series!

These are memories from the 2024 F1 Belgian GP!!

Nico Hulkenberg, Moneygram Haas F1 Team :

Triple World Champion Max Verstappen, Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Formula E Champion, ex F1 Racer and Racing for Peugeot in WEC, Stoffel Vandoorne :

Hollywood Legend Brad Pitt!!

Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, selfies over two days :

Sergio Perez, Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Team Trackhouse Racing Team Principal ( MotoGP ), Mr Davide Brivio :

Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :

Victor Martins, Alpine Academy F2 Racer :

Sophia Floersch, Alpine Academy and F3 Racer :

Esteban Ocon, Alpine Racing F1 Team :

Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team :

Mr John Elkann, Chairman of Ferrari and Fiat :

Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Kick Sauber :

Carlos Sainz Jr, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

The hosts of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

As I flew back to Mumbai from Brussels onboard Emirates, I spotted what seemed to be a legendary footballer from the yesteryears in the First Class Lounge. I wasn't mistaken!

Meeting Brazilian Football Legend, also a legend for FC Barcelona and AC Milan, Ronaldinho!!

Although the weather played spoiled sport on Saturday, it was great to capture selfies with some from the Motorsport Fraternity. A Big Thank you to the hosts of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team who entertained me over the weekend.

The Paddock Club Diaries follows shortly after, and this might be the last post for "A Gallery of Memories" in 2024.

The biggest day of the race weekend finally arrived! Sunday sees maximum attendance and the grand finale of any F1 weekend, the Grand Prix! My journey out of Graz began early in the morning due to the action-packed schedule, from the F3 and F2 Feature Races in the morning to the F1 Grand Prix in the afternoon. Also, the traffic situation would worsen as the day wore on. 

The Sunday experience is shot with the Sony RX10 IV and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra!

En route to the circuit. Thankfully the journey was smooth with minimal traffic :

Walking up to the Paddock Club Entrance rather than taking the shuttle from the Taxi Stand. I walked through the F1 Village behind the Main Grandstand.

Kickstarting the Day with some Yogurt, Mushrooms and Croissants :

Spending some time in the Paddock. The Paddock is abuzz on Sunday as everyone gears up for the Grand Prix on Sunday Afternoon :

I got the chance to meet some famous faces in the Paddock too!

Alexander Wurz, former F1 Driver and now a race steward :

Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :

1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve :

Former F1 Driver Roberto Merhi :

Upcoming Formula 2 sensation and McLaren Academy Driver Gabriel Bortoleto :

Charles Leclerc was visiting the Ferrari motorhome for an interview with the team partners and the hosts were kind enough to invite me into the hospitality :

Oliver York did a stellar job at interviewing Leclerc!

Video Link of the Interview :

I then headed down for Sunday's only pit lane walk.

Stills from the final Pit Lane walk of the weekend :

The Scuderia Ferrari mechanics get ready for some Pit Stop Practice :

Video Link of the Pit Stop Practice :

A moment with friends and hosts from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

A moment with Rally Racer Christine GZ, who was born in Pondicherry, India :

Having a quick bite before the Grand Prix :

Enjoying the Air Display by the Austrian Air Force :

A Video of the Air Display :

The drivers head out of the pit lane for their sighting laps :

Mechanics walk over to the grid with the necessary equipment :

Wheeling the cars into the grid slots and the drivers hop out for their final loo breaks :

The front of the grid being readied for the National Anthem :

Shots of the Grid :

Football Freestylers Arnaud Sean Garnier & Jasmin Janssen showcase their skills ( Video Link ) :

Hans Zimmer and his troupe present their rendition of the National Anthem :

The Drivers assemble at the front of the grid for the National Anthem :

A rendition of the Austrian National Anthem by Hans Zimmer ( Video Link ) :

Time for the final preparations on the grid :

Formation Lap gets underway :

Video Link of the Formation Lap :

The Race Start ( Video Link ) :

Stills from the Race :

Video Link of Fernando Alonso's Pit Stop :

Lando Norris retires from the Austrian GP ( Video Link ) :

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team drivers racing hard for a good result :

Lando Norris, who retired after an incident with Max Verstappen, stands at the McLaren pit wall for the remainder of the race :

Chequered Flag ( Video Link ) :

George Russell won the Austrian Grand Prix over Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz Jr. Charles Leclerc was P11 in the other Ferrari. An incident on the opening lap damaged the front wing of Leclerc's car and it was an uphill task to recover positions from thereon.

The Paddock and the crowds gather to witness the podium ceremony :

Getting a vantage spot to view the celebrations :

The Podium Ceremony underway :

Video Link of the Podium Celebrations :

The crowd soaking in the atmosphere :

The podium finishers walk back to the cool-down room. Glad to capture Russell smiling ear-to-ear :

The Paddock Club shut for the weekend shortly thereafter, and it was time to say goodbye to one of the best Paddock Clubs in the F1 Calendar.

Time for an ice cream to celebrate an amazing weekend :

I got down from the Paddock Club and saw a couple waiting with bated breath outside the Paddock Entrance. Soon enough, I knew why!

Hans Zimmer, the legendary Score Composer and Music Composer! So approachable, so friendly!

Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :

Pierre Gasly, Alpine F1 Team :

Carlos Sainz Jr, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Time to say goodbye to Red Bull Ring after an amazing weekend!

I also compiled a Vlog on my YouTube Channel about the Sunday experience!

The Vlog about my Sunday Experience at the Austrian GP :

All in all, it was a bitter-sweet day for Ferrari with Sainz Jr on the podium and Leclerc's progress getting hampered by the incident on the opening lap. Nevertheless, it felt great to be back at the Red Bull Ring after 9 years.

The scenery and the views around the track were as beautiful as they were back then!

A Big Thank You to the hosts of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team for a memorable weekend at the 2024 Austrian GP. Although the hosts changed for the season, it was amazing to meet the new hosts and make new friends!

The Paddock Club Diaries returns with experiences and memories from the Belgian GP!

 

The Formula 1 schedule, post-Covid, has undergone a revamp with all the on-track activities getting pushed to later in the day. The schedule changes mean that fans can have a more relaxed start to a Saturday.

Even with a relaxed schedule,  Saturday at the 2024 F1 Austrian Grand Prix was action-packed. The F1 Sprint was followed by Qualifying for the main race on Sunday. 

The memories from the weekend were captured with the Sony RX10 IV and the Samsung S24 Ultra.

Welcome to the Saturday Experience!

En route to the Circuit :

Saturday kickstarted with meeting an F1 Legend in Juan Pablo Montoya! Who can forget his battles with the Schumacher Brothers and Kimi Raikkonen!

The Paddock Club wasn't open yet but the Pit Lane walk was!

Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :

Systems Checks on Albon's Car ( Video Link ) :

The Scuderia Ferrari Garage getting ready for the day on Saturday morning :

Systems Checks on Carlos Sainz Jr's Car ( Video Link ) :

As I walked back to the entrance, I had the opportunity to meet team personnel from the Visa Cash App RB F1 Team , who were allowing fans to click pictures with the team's Steering wheel.

With the Visa Cash App RB Steering Wheel :

The Paddock Club opened for the day and it was time to have a quick bite before the F1 Sprint got underway.

Enjoying some croissants, coffee and an appetizer before the F1 Sprint :

The Pit Lane opens and the drivers head out for sighting laps :

The mechanics wheel the drivers to their respective grid slots. Stills from the Grid :

The Countdown Clock runs down as the drivers get ready for the Sprint Formation Lap :

The Mechanics run to clear the grid before the start of the Sprint Race.

F1 Sprint Race Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

The drivers had to undergo another formation lap due to a technical issue on the track

2nd Formation Lap ( Video Links ) :

With the Sony RX10 IV :

With the Samsung S24 Ultra :

Video Links for the F1 Sprint Race Start :

With the Sony RX10 IV :

With the Samsung S24 Ultra :

Shots from the F1 Sprint :

Chequered Flag after the F1 Sprint :

Max Verstappen won the F1 Sprint from Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Carlos Sainz Jr and Charles Leclerc were P5 and P7 for Ferrari, respectively.

Time for some lunch :

The Club Suite almost full during lunch!

I had signed up for two off-track activities with the Paddock Club Expert Hosts as guides and it was great to interact with some, who already race in various series across Europe.

Mohan Ritson, a British-Indian ADAC GT4 Racer who is also an expert host in the F1 Paddock Club :

The first off-track activity was the Photo Safari where the guests got escorted to turn 4 to watch some action from the F2 Sprint Race.

Driving up to turn 4 gave us some beautiful views of the track :

The F2 cars navigating Turn 4 during the Sprint Race :

An amazing experience at the Photo Safari :

Video Links of the Racing at Turn 4 :

With the Sony RX10 IV :

With the Samsung S24 Ultra :

I returned to the Paddock Club and it was time to complete my lunch :)

Enjoying some desserts :

The 2nd off-track activity was a visit to the Support Race Paddock where the experts took us through the garages of the teams in F2 and F3.

Stills from the visit to the Support Race Paddock :

As I walked back to the Paddock Club, I met Former F1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi who was entering the Paddock in the afternoon :

It was now time for F1 Qualifying!

The lull before the storm! Getting ready for Qualifying :

The Drivers emerge from the Garages for the start of Qualifying :

Shots from Q1 :

The Scuderia Ferrari Drivers flying during Q1 :

Alexander Albon, Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, Logan Sargeant & Zhou Guanyu were eliminated at the end of Q1.

Time for Q2 :

The Ferrari drivers continue pushing in Q2 :

Daniel Ricciardo, Kevin Magnussen, Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda & Fernando Alonso were eliminated in Q2.

The top ten shootout commences!

The final push for the Ferrari duo!

Max Verstappen bagged pole position from Lando Norris and George Russell. Carlos Sainz Jr and Charles Leclerc were P4 and P6 for Ferrari, respectively.

The Ferrari mechanics wheeling Sainz's Ferrari from the Parc Ferme to the Garage :

It was time for the guests to go downstairs.

The final pit lane walk of the day beckons :

Shots from the 2nd Pit Lane Walk :

Old F1 Cars going full pelt at the F1 Legends Parade :

The F1 Legends Parade ( Video Link ) :

Post the Pit Lane walk, I decided to spend some time walking through the paddock :

I got the chance to meet some racing fraternity!

Lance Stroll, Aramco Aston Martin Racing F1 Team :

Mike Krack, Team Principal, Aston Martin Racing F1 Team :

Liam Lawson, Reserved Driver for Red Bull Racing :

Alexander Albon, Williams Racing F1 Team :

Nicolas Todt, Charles Leclerc's Driver Manager :

The day drew to a close and it was time to head back to Graz :

I have also compiled a Vlog about my Saturday Experience, which is live on my YouTube channel!

Vlog about the Saturday Experience ( Video Link ) :

It was an amazing day at the Red Bull Ring, a truly action-packed Saturday. Sprint Saturdays are frenetic and the teams and drivers are tested to the hilt thanks to the solo practice session that they had the previous day.

Once again, a big thank you to the hosts of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team for their hospitality and for giving me another memorable Saturday at the races.

The Sunday Experience follows shortly after!

The Austrian GP is one of the most exciting races on the F1 Calendar. The venue has also produced some nail-biting finishes in MotoGP. The Red Bull Ring ( as the track is called ) is nestled in the hills of Spielberg in the region of Styria and can easily rival Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium when it comes to being picturesque. 

The Austrian Grand Prix is also the home race for Red Bull Racing, the dominant force in this era of Formula 1. Having visited the circuit in 2015, I always wanted to return to this iconic race, but logistical issues and the scheduling made me think otherwise. Finally, I had the opportunity to revisit this race track in 2024 and wasted no time making the necessary arrangements!

It was also a Sprint Race weekend, which meant that there would be a single Practice Session followed by Sprint Qualifying on Friday. 

The Race was held from 28th June to 30th June and although it was quite a commute for me from the city of Graz, the journey was very much worth it!

This was also the first time where the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team didn't have a suite of their own but were in a shared space in the Club Suite.

This is the start of the Paddock Club Diaries from the 2024 Season!

Pictures and Videos were taken with the Sony RX10 IV and Samsung S24 Ultra.

Enroute to the circuit :

The Race passes for the weekend!

Welcome to the F1 Paddock Club in Austria :

Enjoying some Croissants in the morning :

Amazing backdrop with the Paddock in place :

Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :

Visa Cash App RB F1 Team practising Pitstops ( Video Link ) :

Williams Racing F1 Team practising Pitstops ( Video Link ) :

Stills from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Garage :

Taking a ride around the track, thanks to the Paddock Club Track Tour :

Video Link of the Track Tour :

Time for some lunch before the start of Free Practice, the only one for the weekend :

Shots from Free Practice :

Max Verstappen was the quickest in Practice from Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc. Carlos Sainz Jr was 4th in the other Ferrari.

I had the opportunity to visit the garage for the final few minutes of Free Practice. Some Stills from the Paddock :

ARAS, the world's most gifted freestyle bike rider performing stunts :

The F2 Qualifying session underway :

A lull after two intense sessions on track :

Shots from the 2nd Pit Lane Walk of the Day :

Moments outside the Scuderia Ferrari F1 garage :

The Pit Walls getting ready for Sprint Qualifying :

Shots from Sprint Qualifying!

SQ1 :

SQ2 :

Max Verstappen was the quickest of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Carlos Sainz Jr was P5 with Charles Leclerc failing to set a lap time in P10 for Ferrari.

It was a mixed bag for Ferrari in Sprint Qualifying but things still looked positive for the rest of the weekend.

Shortly after, the Club Suite shut but guests were allowed to spend more time in the Club Lounge, a common hospitality area.

Time for some Pizza and Gelato in the Club Lounge :

Friday ends at the Paddock Club, and time for the drivers to relax in the motorhomes :

As I got out of the Paddock Club, I decided to walk across to the Paddock Parking to see if I could get a few selfies with some drivers as they headed home from the track!

Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber :

Kevin Magnussen, Moneygram Haas F1 Team :

Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team :

Logan Sargeant, Williams Racing F1 Team :

Mick Schumacher, Reserve driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and WEC Driver for Alpine Endurance Team :

Laurent Mekies, Team Principal, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :

Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team :

Ravin Jain, Chief Strategist, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Charles Leclerc! Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Gerhard Berger, an Austrian F1 Legend!

Gianpiero Lambiase & Peter Bonnington, Race Engineers for Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton!

Goodbye, Paddock and the Paddock Club. The Curfew in effect for the teams and mechanics :

Heading back to Graz after a busy Friday!

I also compiled a Vlog about my Friday Experience, which is already live on my YouTube Channel!

Video Link :

It was an amazing Friday at the Red Bull Ring. Thankfully it stayed dry throughout the day and both the teams and drivers could make full use of the conditions to prepare for the Sprint Weekend. 

A big thank you to the New Hosts of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Club for giving me a memorable Friday at the Racetrack. The Saturday and Sunday experiences follow shortly after!

Watch this Space!

2015 was the first time that I had the privilege of attending the F1 Austrian Grand Prix. Although it was a long trip to the circuit from Graz ( the closest city ), the location of the track in the hills of Styria was so beautiful. The Red Bull Ring as its called, became one of the most picturesque tracks on the calendar for me and I always wanted to re-visit this beautiful venue.

Finally, after a gap of 9 years, the opportunity presented itself and I simply couldn't miss being here at this iconic track. Along with the Austrian GP, I also had the chance of attending the Euros in Germany!

As always, the first post from the race weekend features moments I made with some who are part of the Motorsports Fraternity and some who are famous in their respective walks of life! 

This is the latest post from "A Gallery of Memories" Series!

Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber :

Kevin Magnussen, Moneygram Haas F1 Team :

Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team :

Logan Sargeant, Williams Racing F1 Team :

Mick Schumacher, Reserve driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and WEC Driver for Alpine Endurance Team :

Laurent Mekies, Team Principal, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :

Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team :

Ravin Jain, Chief Strategist, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Charles Leclerc! Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Gerhard Berger, an Austrian F1 Legend!

Gianpiero Lambiase & Peter Bonnington, Race Engineers for Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton!

Another F1 Legend, Juan Pablo Montoya :

Mohan Ritson, a British-Indian ADAC GT4 Racer who is also an expert host in the F1 Paddock Club :

Former F1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi :

Lance Stroll, Aramco Aston Martin Racing F1 Team :

Mike Krack, Team Principal, Aston Martin Racing F1 Team :

Liam Lawson, Reserved Driver for Red Bull Racing :

Alexander Albon, Williams Racing F1 Team :

Nicolas Todt, Charles Leclerc's Driver Manager :

Alexander Wurz, former F1 Driver and now a race steward :

Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :

1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve :

Former F1 Driver Roberto Merhi :

Upcoming Formula 2 sensation and McLaren Academy Driver Gabriel Bortoleto :

Rally Racer Christine GZ :

Hans Zimmer, the legendary Score Composer and Music Composer :

Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :

Pierre Gasly, Alpine F1 Team :

Carlos Sainz Jr, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

A moment with friends from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Meeting Mr. Hans Zimmer was the hallmark of this trip! A big thank you to the hosts of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team who helped me experience these amazing moments! The Friday, Saturday and Sunday Experiences from the Austrian GP follow shortly after!

The last day of the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix had finally arrived. Unlike, the rest of the weekend, Sunday saw better weather & clearer skies. I had an early start to the day as I tried to beat the morning traffic into the circuit.

Enroute to the circuit :

Walking over to the Paddock Club :

Starting my day with Cappuccino and Croissants as always!

Sunday morning views of the track. The F3 Race got underway with a rolling start :

F3 Feature Race Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

The F3 Feature Race is a go & what a cracker of a race this was!

F3 Feature Race Start ( Video Link ) :

As the F3 race carried on, I decided to visit the fan village.

Walking over to the F1 Fan Village :

The F1 Fan Village, full of activity!

Shots of Raidilon from the Fan Village :

I returned to the Paddock Club and the Ferrari F1 Club Hosts arranged for me to go to the Photo Safari for the start of the F2 Feature Race.

We got escorted to the support race paddock which offered views of Eau Rouge and Raidilion :

The Safety Car comes into the pits and the F2 Feature Race resumes :

F2 Feature Race Restart ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the Feature Race :

Jack Doohan produced a stunning comeback to win the feature race from P11. 

Shots from the celebrations in Parc Ferme :

While the celebrations carried on in Parc Ferme, we had Ferrari's star driver join us in the Ferrari F1 Club.

Charles Leclerc in the Paddock Club!

Charles Leclerc Interview in the Ferrari F1 Club ( Video Link ) :

Going down to the Paddock for some more selfies!

Nico Hulkenberg, Moneygram Haas F1 Team :

Papa Perez! Mr Antonio Perez Garibay :

Hannah Schmitz, Principal Strategy Engineer for Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

The vintage cars getting ready for the Drivers' parade. My friend drove Leclerc around the track :

Shots from the final pit lane walk of the weekend :

The Scuderia Ferrari Garage before the race :

The Ferrari mechanics warming up with some pit stop practice :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team getting ready for the race with Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

Diego Ioverno, Sporting Director at Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Jack Doohan! It is always a pleasure to meet him, he is a thorough gentleman & an even better racer :

Time for a quick lunch before gobbling down some chocolates as desserts :

The grid getting ready for the main event of the weekend :

The drivers emerge from the pits for their sighting laps :

The drivers getting rolled by their mechanics into their respective grid slots :

National Anthem time :

The F1 Grid before the start of the Race ( Video Link ) :

The Air Force giving the fans an acrobatic display :

The grid gets clear of all non-essential personnel :

Formation Lap time :

Video Link of the Formation Lap :

The drivers navigating the Bus Stop chicane on the Formation lap :

The five red lights illuminate and as they went out, the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix was a go!

Race Start ( Video Link ) :

Lap 1 ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the race :

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team working hard to extract the maximum from the weekend :

Max Verstappen won the race from Sergio Perez while Charles Leclerc was P3 for Ferrari. A mechanical issue caused Sainz Jr to retire from the race.

Charles Leclerc patiently answering questions by Martin Brundle on Parc Ferme :

The Red Bull Duo having a mini post-race debrief :

Waiting for the top 3 to appear on the podium :

Leclerc, Perez and Verstappen are all smiles as they made their way to the podium :

The trophies being lifted by the Podium finishers :

Time for some champagne!

Podium Celebrations ( Video Link ) :

Mohammed Bin Sulayem, former Rally Driver and Current President of the FIA :

Some dear friends from Belgium, such a blessing to know them!

The Hosts at the Ferrari F1 Club, such amazing moments with them, so gracious and welcoming as always :

Selfie time in the paddock :

As I was walking around the Paddock, a gentleman and his grandson walked up to me and told me that they were at the race this weekend due to my Vlogs from 2022! They loved how well I had documented my experiences at the races and it helped their decision-making for a visit to an F1 race :

Jamie Chadwick, development driver at Williams Racing F1 Team & the triple-world champion in the now defunct W Series :

Daniel Ricciardo, Scuderia Alpha Tauri F1 Team :

Timo Glock, ex-F1 Driver and now a commentator for German TV :

Carlos Sainz Jr, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

The Paddock is getting dismantled as the teams leave for the summer break :

Until next time, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps!

I also made a Vlog about my experience from Sunday, sharing the YouTube link here :

It had been a memorable weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix. Thankfully, the FOM decided to extend the Belgian GP contract till 2025 and I hope to see this track on the F1 calendar for several more years. Once again, a big thank you to the Paddock Club team for their hospitality over the weekend. A special mention to the hosts in the Ferrari F1 Club who always make me feel welcomed and a part of the team, whichever race I am at.

There is another special experience to come from 2023, so watch this space!

Saturdays on an F1 weekend are the longest, mainly because of the number of activities lined up for Paddock Club guests. Although Aachen is closer to the circuit than Hasselt, it was still an early start to the Saturday for me. Having left from Aachen at 730 am, my friend and I reached the circuit around 845 am, just in time for Carlos Sainz Jr's visit to the Paddock Club ( more on that later in the post ).

Lets revisit the memories from the Saturday at the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix!

En route to the circuit on Saturday Morning:

As soon as I entered the Paddock Club, I rushed across to reach the Ferrari suite and thankfully, Sainz Jr hadn't arrived yet!

Carlos Sainz Jr visits the guests in the Ferrari F1 Club :

Video Link of Sainz' interview in the Paddock Club :

Shots of the Suite reserved exclusively for the Scuderia Ferrari Team guests in the Paddock Club :

And suddenly the weather changed at Spa-Francorchamps :

Gloomy weather called for some hot breakfast!

Kick Starting the day with some coffee and croissants :

After my coffee, I went downstairs to spend some time in the Paddock but the rain played spoil sport. Nevertheless, I got a selfie with Esteban Ocon from Alpine F1 Team :

Soon enough, it was time for Sprint Qualifying, better known as the Sprint Shootout!

Sprint Shootout gets underway :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team during the Sprint Shootout :

Shots from Parc Ferme post Sprint Shootout :

Max Verstappen was the quickest from Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz Jr. while Charles Leclerc was P4 in the other Ferrari.

Post the Sprint Shootout, I was hungry & wasted no time in having an early lunch.

Enjoying some lunch, the chocolates were so good!

Post the Sprint Shootout, the guests had the privilege of enjoying an interview with the team's new Sporting Director ( announced on the weekend of the Belgian GP )

The newly-appointed Ferrari Sporting Director, Mr Diego Ioverno briefly joined us in the Ferrari F1 Club :

Video Link of his interview :

The action was relentless as now it was time for the Formula 2 Sprint race on the track!

The F2 cars line up on the gird for the Sprint :

F2 Sprint Race Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

Due to a car stalled on the grid, the F2 cars had to go around for a second formation lap.

Video Link :

F2 Sprint Race Start ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the F2 Sprint :

Some closeups of Jack Doohan!

& then we had a Safety Car period due to an incident!

Back to flat-out racing!

Celebrations in the Parc Ferme for Enzo Fittipaldi, Theo Pourchaire and Dennis Hauger. Jack Doohan finished a fine P5.

After the F2 Sprint Race, I got some time to spend in the Paddock before the Formula 1 Sprint.

Walking through the paddock, the sun was out again!

Thankfully, I was able to meet more drivers during this time!

Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake :

Sophia Floersch, Van Amersfoort Racing, Formula 3 :

Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team :

Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team :

Jerome d'Ambrosio, Development Driver at Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :

I made my way back to the Ferrari F1 Club, to prepare and grab myself a vantage spot for the start of the F1 Sprint Race.

The grid being readied for the F1 Sprint :

The mechanics rolling the cars & the drivers into the respective grid slots :

The Ferrari mechanics doing the same :

Building up to the formation lap :

Drivers returning from their loo breaks, game face on!

As the cars got readied on the grid, the heavens opened and a downpour hit the track.

The teams had to bring out their gazebos to cover the cars on the grid. The race start got delayed.

Video Link :

The rain relented and it was time to go racing!

The Grid ready for the Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

The track was quite damp and the stewards decided to begin the F1 Sprint behind the Safety Car.

Video Link ( shot with Sony RX10 IV ) :

Video Link ( shot with Samsung S23 Ultra ) :

Video Links of the Cars running behind the Safety Car

Shot with Sony RX10 IV :

Shot with the Samsung S23 Ultra :

Finally, the Safety Car got called into the pits and it was time to go racing. However, by then, many drivers deemed it safe to switch to the intermediate tyres. Several drivers pitted at the Race start while some ( most importantly Verstappen ) chose to do one full lap on the wet tyres before making a decision.

Video Link of the F1 Sprint Start :

The move to pit on the opening lap of the Sprint yielded dividends for Oscar Piastri who jumped Verstappen after everyone pitted for intermediate tyres. However, a crash brought out the Safety Car again & the field got bunched up, negating Piastri's advantage built from the earlier stop.

Safety Car Deployed ( Video Link ) :

After the track got cleared racing resumed and as expected, Verstappen powered past Piastri to retake the lead of the F1 Sprint.

Video Link :

The drivers battling it out in the F1 Sprint :

The cars returning to Parc-Ferme after the F1 Sprint :

The Chequered Flag is waved at the end of the F1 Sprint & the drivers return to the Pit Lane ( Video Link ) :

Max Verstappen won the F1 Sprint from Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly. Gasly, like Piastri, benefitted from the early stop and jumped the Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz Jr & Charles Leclerc who finished 4th and 5th, respectively.

With the F1 Sprint done, the organizers decided to entertain the remaining crowd with a display of some F1 cars from the yesteryears. Loud, uncensored and still brutally quick!

The classic F1 cars doing some track time!

After the classic cars show, it was time for the final activity of the day - the Paddock Club Pit Lane walk!

Selfies from the Saturday evening pit lane walk :

Shots from the evening pit lane walk :

Stills captured with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra :

Stills from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team garage on a Saturday evening :

I got to meet some more people from the Motorsports Fraternity during the Pit Lane walk.

Friends and mechanics from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team! 

Jason Cozzetto, one of the senior mechanics at Alpine F1 Team :

Tiffany Cromwell, Australian Road & Gravel Cyclist & Valtteri Bottas' partner :

With the Pit Lane walk done, we were allowed access to walk on the track and get some selfies. Meanwhile, the parade was practicing for the pre-race ceremony.

Walking around La Source and enjoying the views from the tarmac!

After spending some time in and around La Source, I walked over to the F2 Paddock and then further on to the makeshift garages set up for the F1 vintage cars.

The classic racecars from yesteryears, so beautiful!

As I walked back to the entrance of the Paddock Club, I met a charismatic and very elderly gentleman who is as passionate as any of his younger colleagues!

Mr Fritz van Amersfoort, the founder, Team Principal & F3 Team Manager for Van Amersfoort Racing :

Finally, it was nice to get a selfie with Pietro Fittipaldi, Reserve Driver for Moneygram Haas F1 Team :

Goodbye from Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps :

As I walked back to the Taxi stand to take my ride back to the hotel in Aachen, my heart was full of joy. Although I had a physically tiring and body straining day, I didn't experience any mental fatigue! It was just a wholesome Saturday, difficult to describe in words.

Once again, a Big Thank you to the Hosts of the Ferrari F1 Club for all their love and hospitality on the Saturday. 

The Sunday experience follows soon!

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, home to the Belgian Grand Prix, is my favourite track on the F1 calendar. Ever since Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen delivered stunning victories at this vintage F1 track, visiting this circuit nestled in the Ardennes forest has become an annual pilgrimage for me. Having attended this race on six occasions, I can now declare myself as half-Belgian :)

Spa-Francorchamps is one of the few classic F1 tracks that remain on the calendar, and I hope the contract extends beyond 2025.

The Paddock Club Diaries begin with the Friday Experience, and although I am six months late, it is amazing to relive the memories through these blog posts!

Pictures taken with the Sony RX10 IV and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

En route to the circuit on a rainy Friday morning:

I had to pick up my race passes from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Spa and luckily, I got myself parking passes too!

Race Passes for the weekend :

The walk from the Taxi Drop-off to the Paddock Club completes my cardio workout for the day!

Walking to the Paddock Club :

The Ferrari F1 Club, the home of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Guests for the weekend :

Coffee and Croissants to kickstart my day!

Thanks to the team, I got myself some time to visit the Paddock but unfortunately, a downpour began.

Walking through a wet and rainy Paddock :

The rain let up soon and I had the opportunity of getting selfies with some famous faces from the F1 Paddock.

Davide Brivio, ex-Yamaha, ex-Suzuki in MotoGP and Racing Director in Alpine Racing F1 Team :

Pierre Gasly, Alpine Racing F1 Team :

Alexander Albon, Williams Racing F1 Team :

Reigning World Champion, now a Triple World Champion, Max Verstappen, who races for Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Sergio Perez, Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

It was then time for the first pit lane walk of the weekend and I walked across to the Pits to behold the cars up close!

Shots from the first pit lane walk :

Stills with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra :

Williams F1 Team Practicing their Pit Stops ( Video Link ) :

Meeting Beat Zehnder, Sporting Director, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake ( in the pit lane ) :

Lunch is served! A great spread indeed :

The Belgian Grand Prix was a Sprint-Race weekend in 2023, so the drivers had only one Practice session before the Grand Prix qualifying that gets held on a Friday evening.

Free Practice gets underway!

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team working hard in FP1 in inclement weather :

The chequered flag brings to an end an FP1 which was battered by rain :

Drivers practising their starts from various grid slots :

Video Link :

Carlos Sainz Jr topped the timesheets from Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Charles Leclerc was P4 in the other Ferrari.

Post Free practice, Marc Gene visited the Ferrari F1 Club for a quick Q&A :

I decided to spend some more time in the Paddock before Qualifying and as I walked through the Paddock Club, I met an ace ex-cricketer!

1983 Cricket World Cup Winner, Indian Cricket Legend and now an ace commentator, Ravi Shastri :

The Media pen in the Paddock, abuzz with activity after a session :

The trip to the Paddock was fruitful as I met more drivers.

Liam Lawson, Reserve Driver for Red Bull Racing F1 :

Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake :

Tom Kristensen, WEC Champion & Record winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans :

Soon enough it was time for Qualifying and I headed back upstairs.

Q1 underway :

The Ferrari Drivers in Q1 :

Shots from Q2 :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 fighting it out in Q2 :

The sun came out before the start of Q3. Glorious views!

The final shootout commences :

Leclerc and Sainz go full send :

The Parc-Ferme after Qualifying :

Max Verstappen was the quickest at the end of Qualifying from Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. Carlos Sainz Jr was P5 in the other Ferrari. 

However, Leclerc inherited Pole Position since Verstappen had a five-place grid penalty due to new engine components.

Post-Qualifying, the Paddock Club guests had the privilege of going on a track tour on trucks!

Ready for the tour!

Shots from the Paddock Club Track Truck Tour :

Video Link of the Paddock Club Track Truck Tour :

As I got off the trucks, I got to meet Jakey Benham, Dani Bereznay, Jarno Opmeer & Marcel Kiefer, Sim racers for Mercedes F1 E-Sports Team :

The tour was the last activity of the day and it was time to head back to my hotel in Aachen.

Goodbye Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps :

I also compiled a Vlog about my Friday Experience on my YouTube Channel!

Video Link about the Friday Experience :

A big thank you to the hosts at the Ferrari F1 Club and the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team for their hospitality and for making my Friday Experience a memorable one. The Saturday Experience follows shortly!