The Belgian Grand Prix is my favourite race on the F1 Calendar. The circuit is one of the classic tracks on the F1 Calendar 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!
The 2025 Belgian GP was a new adventure for me as I returned to the circuit as a guest of the Alpine F1 Team, after almost 12 years! Back then, the team was known as Lotus F1, and after Kimi Raikkonen switched to Ferrari, I always hoped to return to this amazing team in the future. In 2025, it finally happened!
As always, the experience of a race weekend begins with a post in the "A Gallery of Memories" series!
These are memories from the 2025 F1 Belgian GP!!
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 :
Ex-Haas F1 Team Principal, now F1 Pundit and Manager for Tech 3 in MotoGP, Guenther Steiner :
Pierre Gasly, BWT Alpine F1 Team :
Liam Lawson, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team :
Yuki Tsunoda, Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :
Alex Albon, Williams Racing F1 Team :
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 :
Isack Hadjar, Visa Vash App RB F1 Team :
Lance Stroll, Aramco Aston Martin Racing F1 Team :
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
Gabriel Bortoleto, Stake F1 Team :
Cisca Wauman, Lando Norris' Mum!
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :
2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button!
Heikki Kovaleinen, ex-F1 Racer!
Franco Colapinto, BWT Alpine F1 Team :
Jacky Ickx, former Belgian motorsports legend!
Raymond Vermeulen, Max Verstappen's Manager :
Friends from the Motorsports World!
A big thank you to the hosts of the Alpine F1 Team who helped me experience these amazing moments! The Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Experiences from the Belgian GP follow shortly after!
The 2025 F1 Season promised to be one of the most exciting in the sport's history! As I planned my travels for the season, I realised that my first race of 2025 would lead me back to my 2nd favourite track on the calendar ( and also the most picturesque ), Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria!
I was truly excited to return to this beautiful track, and as is the custom each year, the Blogs commence with a new post in "A Gallery of Memories" series!
Double World Champion, Fernando Alonso, Aramco Aston Martin F1 Team :
Mattia Binotto, COO & CTO Sauber Motorsport & Laurent Mekies, who was the Team Principal of Visa Cash App RB F1 Team back then :
Ayumu Iwasa, Red Bull Racing Reserve Driver :
Four-Time World Champion, Max Verstappen, Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :
Jerome d'Ambrosio, Deputy Team Principal, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
Pierre Gasly, BWT Alpine F1 Team :
Mark Berryman, Lando Norris' Manager :
Carlos Sainz Jr, Williams Racing F1 Team :
Flavio Briatore, Team Principal, BWT Alpine F1 Team :
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team :
Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team :
Christian Horner, he was still the Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team back then :
Gabriel Bortoleto, Stake F1 Team :
Hollywood Actor, Eric Bana :
Ex-F1 Racer and WEC Legend, Mark Webber :
Seven-Time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team! A Selfie after almost 9 years!
Former F1 Supremo, Bernie Ecclestone :
Former F1 Driver, Le Mans winner & Chairman of GPDA, Alexander Wurz :
Mick Schumacher, Alpine Endurance Racing & son of F1 Legend, Michael Schumacher :
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
Esteban Ocon, Moneygram Haas F1 Team :
Nico Hulkenberg, Stake F1 Team :
Randy Singh, Racing Director, McLaren F1 Team :
A WEC Legend, a descendant of the Austrian Royal Family, Ferdinand Habsburg :
Lance Stroll, Aramco Aston Martin Racing F1 Team :
Paul Aron, Reserve Driver for BWT Alpine F1 Team :
A Selfie with the hosts of the Ferrari F1 Club in Austria!
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 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.
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!
Raceday had finally arrived! It was the day when Bharat ( India ) would host its first-ever MotoGP race. It was the day when the country would be back on the motorsports map, after a decade! Sunday promised to be a busy day with races in Moto3, Moto2 and of course MotoGP.
We headed out early on Sunday morning to not get delayed in traffic en route to the circuit!
Driving to the circuit on Raceday!
It seemed like we reached the Paddock quite early!
As soon as we entered the Paddock, we got to meet more people from the MotoGP Fraternity!
Mr Paolo Simoncelli, Team Owner, Sic58 Squadra Corsa :
Jake Dixon, Gas Gas Aspar Team, Moto2 :
Ana Carrasco, Boe Motorsports, Moto3 :
David Munoz, Boe Motorpsorts, Moto3 :
David Alonso, Gas Gas Aspar Team, Moto3 :
Franco Morbidelli, Monster Energy Yamaha, MotoGP :
After spending a few hours in the Paddock, it was time to get ready for the upcoming races. Although we stayed in the Paddock for the Moto3 Race, we headed to the Main Grandstand for the Moto2 and MotoGP events.
But first, time for some lunch in the Hospitality :
The walk to the Main Grandstand was through the tunnel, under the track!
Views from the Main Grandstand, the Moto2 riders congregating on the grid for their race :
The MotoGP teams ready the bikes in their respective garages while the Moto2 field gets ready for its race :
Formation Lap of the Moto2 Race ( Video Link ) :
The Moto2 riders lining up for the race start :
Race Start ( Video Link ) :
A turn one incident saw a multi-rider crash, and the race got red-flagged :
The riders return to the pit lane :
Video Link of the Formation Lap of the Race Restart :
The race is about to get underway after a break of 40 minutes, with the length shortened to 12 laps.
Moto2 Race Restart ( Video Link ) :
Shots from the Moto2 Race :
Pedro Acosta wins the race! Joe Roberts overtook Sergio Garcia for the final podium place in a thrilling last-lap battle :
Chequered Flag after the Race ( Video Link ) :
The riders returned to the pit lane after the race.
Pedro Acosta, Tony Arbolino & Joe Roberts, the podium finishers from the Moto2 Race :
Time for some celebrations :
Podium Celebrations ( Video Link ) :
The podium finishers enjoy the adulation from the crowds :
It was now time for MotoGP to take centre stage!
The Team Garages are abuzz with activity as the riders get ready to head out for sighting laps :
The riders heading out onto the pit lane :
The team personnel and VIP Guests make their way to the starting grid :
The mechanics help the riders navigate through the personnel to their respective grid slots :
The Honda riders make it to their grid positions :
Shots from the grid as everyone prepares for the inaugural MotoGP race :
MotoGP Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :
The 2023 MotoGP of Bharat is a go!
Race Start ( Video Link ) :
Some Stills from the race :
The Race in Progress ( Video Link ) :
Marco Bezzecchi won the race from Jorge Martin & Fabio Quartararo. Martin almost lost P2 to Fabio but the Spaniard recovered himself and held on. Joan Mir was P5 for Honda with Marc Marquez recovering to P9 after an early crash.
Fabio Quartararo engages with the fans after the race, throwing over some race wear too!
Jorge Martin suffered from intense dehydration and had to be attended to by the medical staff. This led to a delay in the podium festivities. Meanwhile, we enjoyed ourselves near the podium :
Presenting the podium finishers of the 2023 MotoGP of Bharat :
The Trophy Presentation :
Time for the Prosecco to be sprayed on the podium :
Marco Bezzecchi, Jorge Martin & Fabio Quartararo, the top 3 finishers of the 2023 MotoGP of Bharat :
Video Link for the Podium Celebrations :
With the Podium celebrations done, it was time for everyone to pack up and head to the next circuit. The teams packing up their bikes :
As I made my final few rounds of the length of the paddock, I met some more motorsports fraternity!
Simon Crafar, former racer & Ace Commentator :
Jose Luis Martinez, Assistant & Best Friend to Marc Marquez :
The Paddock getting emptier by the hour :
The team personnel with the podium finishers' trophy! I also got a moment with Pablo Nieto, the team manager for the Mooney VR46 Racing team :
Pablo Nieto, Team Manager, Mooney VR46 Team, MotoGP :
Meeting riders and personnel continued into the evening!
Joe Roberts, Italtrans Racing Team, Moto2 :
Dennis Foggia, Italtrans Racing Team, Moto2 :
Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsports Wheel Manager, It was Such a pleasure to meet him :
The clock showed 7 pm and it was time to head back to New Delhi after a hectic, action-packed, memorable and unbelievable MotoGP of Bharat! What an amazing experience this had been!
I also made a Vlog about my Sunday Experience on my YouTube Channel!
Video Link :
A Big Thank you to Honda Racing Corporation and Repsol Honda Team for having my friend Yash and me for the race weekend. It was amazing to observe, interact and behold the functioning of the most successful team in MotoGP up-close! We cant wait to return in 2024 and make new memories! The experiences from Motorsport events in 2023 come to an end here. I do hope I am able to present more and share more in 2024!
Thank you for all your support and there is still some content to come on the Blog ( outside of Motorsport )!
After an eventful and hectic Friday, it was time for our entourage to prepare for all the action lined up for Saturday! Sadly, despite several attempts, my camera hardware failed and I was restricted to using my Samsung S23 Ultra for the rest of the weekend. Apologies for the lack of photos, but I tried to capture as many memories as possible from the Saturday.
An early morning start allowed us to bypass the traffic that got built up later in the day.
Enroute to the circuit :
The Paddock packing was relatively empty when we arrived and the teams were still gearing up for the day ahead!
The Paddock looks beautiful on Saturday morning :
While there was silence on the track, we decided to head over to the Fan Village to check out everything on offer at the inaugural race.
Walking over to the Fan Village, some stills of the Village, honestly an underwhelming experience :
As the MotoGP Qualifying neared, we decided to head to the grandstand that we had access to to watch all the action!
Views from the KTM Grandstand, a panoramic view of some iconic turns from the circuit :
Q1 underway :
Raul Fernandez and Alex Marquez qualified for Q2 but Marquez had a high-side at turn 5 that injured his ribs. The incident ruled the Spaniard out of the race weekend.
Video Link of Q1 :
Time for the top 12 shoot out in Q2 and the results would decide the grid for both the Sprint and the Race!
Marco Bezzecchi bagged the pole position from Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia. Joan Mir and Marc Marquez qualified P5 and P5 for Repsol Honda respectively.
Returning to the Paddock after an intense qualifying session :
On returning to the Paddock, we had the opportunity to meet more riders :
Darryn Binder, Husqvarna Intact GP, Moto2 :
Raul Fernandez, RNF Aprilia MotoGP :
Around 2 in the afternoon, we got told by our hosts in the Honda Hospitality that we would be on a garage tour soon.
Visiting the Repsol Honda garage was very special for me. As a fan of the team for more than 2 decades, it was an emotional experience.
The RC213V up-close! It hadn't been the quickest machine, but the bike in its trademark orange livery looked as stunning as ever!
Photos with the Marc Marquez's ride!
We were then escorted to Marcquez's cubicle in the garage and it was such a humbling experience to sit in his seat! A place where several riders and former champions have sat in the past!
Returning to the HRC Hospitality from the garagewe could see the skies get overcast :
Meeting more Motorsports Fraternity!
Razlan Razali, Team Principal, RNF Aprilia MotoGP :
Jaume Masia, Leopard Racing, Moto3 :
We decided to stay put during Moto3 qualifying due to rain hitting the circuit. Thankfully, the downpour was not for long, and we were able to walk across to the stands to watch some Moto2 action.
Moto2 Qualifying underway :
Due to the downpour earlier in the day, the FIM and Dorna called for a joint meeting with the riders, and it was unanimously decided to have an extra practice session on wet tyres to enable teams and riders to gather data ( should there be another downpour ).
Stills from the extra Practice session :
With the practice session, it was time for the first-ever Bharat GP Sprint Race!
Video Link of the Formation Lap before the MotoGP Sprint :
Shots from the First ever MotoGP Sprint in Bharat :
Video Link of the MotoGP Sprint Race Start :
The Sprint is done and the riders return to the pit lane after receiving the accolades of the crowds :
Jorge Martin won the Sprint from Francesco Bagnaia & Marc Marquez. Joan Mir crashed out of the Sprint in the other Honda.
As dusk approached, I had the chance to meet some more riders and get selfies and signatures from them!
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing, MotoGP :
Johann Zarco, Pramac Racing, MotoGP :
What an experience ( more entertaining than F1 ) at a MotoGP Saturday! The sprint race concept is much better than the ones witnessed at an F1 event and track activities come thick and fast!
I also published a Vlog about my Saturday Experience on my YouTube Channel!
Video Link :
Thank you to Repsol Honda Racing for having us over the weekend and thank you to everyone who made MotoGP of Bharat a reality! The Sunday experience follows shortly!
The year was 1995 and during my school days, I rarely got any time away from my studies. Whenever I did, I used to tune in to a sports channel to check if there was anything of interest on TV. One day, I saw a motorbike race aired and a certain Mick Doohan led the field on a Repsol Honda bike. That was the moment I got hooked onto Motorsports. MotoGP was my first love & Mick Doohan was my first motorsports hero! Since then, I became a Repsol Honda fan and followed the team's exploits closely! Although I never had the opportunity to attend a MotoGP event, it was on my wishlist for many years.
The opportunity finally arrived when it was announced that MotoGP would hold its inaugural GP in India at the Buddh International Circuit from 22nd to 24th September 2023. Although preparations were in full swing to host a motorsport event after a decade at India's purpose-built track, there were major hiccups and hurdles along the way. Thankfully, after continued support from the government, the local authorities & the organizers, the race weekend was a go!
What was even more amazing was that I got the rare opportunity to be a guest of Repsol Honda for the entire weekend!
My friend Yash Gosalia, who runs a nationwide sim-racing series called "The Hybrid Theory" was a co-guest at Honda with Prima Pramac Racing hosting another friend in Shamit Desai!
So, how was the experience at the inaugural Indian GP? The Friday experience begins here!
Enroute to the circuit, from New Delhi, but first, we had to pick up our race passes from the Collection centre :
Race Passes in hand, it was time to head to the track!
Welcome to the Buddh International Circuit :
Walking into the Paddock, so many memories come rushing back from a decade ago :
As we walked to the Honda Hospitality, I bumped into some riders from the current MotoGP grid!
Alex Marquez, Gresini Ducati Racing :
Joan Mir, Repsol Honda Team :
Augusto Fernandez, Gas Gas Factory Racing Tech3 :
Miguel Oliveira, Cryptodata RNF MotoGP :
Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Factory Racing Sports Director :
Jorge Martin, Prima Pramac Racing :
After settling ourselves inside the Hospitality, we decided to explore more areas of the Paddock.
Walking to the other end of the paddock & I got to see Sadhguru up close :
Meeting more people from the MotoGP fraternity continued!
Stefan Bradl, LCR Honda :
Mr Julia Marquez, the Father of the Marquez brothers :
Soon enough, it was time to follow the action on track, with FP1 getting underway. We sneaked our way up into the VIP viewing area!
The views from the Hospitality Arena, just after the VIP Village :
Shots from FP1 :
The Repsol Honda riders getting used to setups during FP1 :
Practising grid starts at the end of FP1 :
Video Link :
Marco Bezzecchi was the quickest in FP1 from Marc Marquez & Brad Binder. Joan Mir was P10 in the other Repsol Honda.
Post FP1, it was time to enjoy some lunch in the Hospitality area :
Shots of the Area :
The on-track action resumed with Moto2.
Time for the Moto2 riders to find their optimal setups for the weekend :
Post the Moto2 practice session, we had a brief lull and our group decided to head back down to the Paddock and try and get more selfies and signatures!
Returning to the Paddock before MotoGP Practice kicks off :
The decision turned out to be the right one as we met a host of other riders!
Marc Marquez!! Repsol Honda Racing Team! Fan moment with the most successful ( current ) MotoGP rider!
Sam Lowes, Marc VDS Racing, Moto2 :
Fabio Di Giannantonio, Gresini Ducati Racing :
Somkiat Chantra, Honda Team Asia, Moto2 :
Lin Jarvis, Team Principal for Monster Energy Yamaha :
Fabio Quartararo, Monster Energy Yamaha Team & 2021 World Champion :
Marc Marquez' Crew Chief, Santi Hernandez :
Takaaki Nakagami, LCR Honda :
Six-time World Champion & Aprilia ambassador, Max Biaggi :
Pol Espargaro, Gas Gas Factory Racing Tech3 :
Luca Marini, Mooney VR46 Racing Team :
Davide Tardozzi, Ducati Racing Team Manager :
We then headed back to the VIP Viewing area to get ready and prepped for MotoGPPractice. This session was most important since the lap times would decide which riders would qualify for Q2 and which would need to battle it out in Q1 on Saturday.
Enjoying some evening snacks before the start of the Practice :
The track looks stunning as dusk draws in :
Shots from the Practice :
The riders doing practice starts from the Grid :
Video Link :
Luca Marini was the quickest in Practice from Jorge Martin & Aleix Espargaro. Marc Marquez and Joan Mir were P4 & P10 for Honda respectively. Thankfully, both Repsol Honda riders automatically qualified for Q2 on Saturday!
Returning to the Paddock gave us the opportunity to meet more riders!
Aron Canet, Pons Racing, Moto2 :
Jack Miller, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team :
Deniz Oncu, Red Bull KTM Ajo, Moto3 :
Daniel Holgado, Red Bull KTM Tech3, Moto3 :
Celestino Vietti, Fantic Racing, Moto2 :
Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM MotoGP :
Tony Arbolino, Marc VDS Racing, Moto2 :
Marco Bezzecchi, Mooney VR46 Racing Team :
Ducati General Manager, Luigi Dall'lgna :
Albert Arenas, Red Bull KTM Ajo, Moto2 :
MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Lenovo Team :
Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing Team :
Lucio Cecchinello, Founder of LCR Honda Team. Had a great chat with this racing legend!
Night fell upon us and it was time to head back to New Delhi.
Goodbye from the Paddock!
I also compiled a vlog on my YouTube Channel about my Friday Experience at the Inaugural MotoGP of Bharat!
Vlog Link :
It had been a memorable Day 1 at the Buddh International Circuit for us as we met a host of Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP riders and enjoyed watching some great action on the track. Sadly, my Sony RX10 IV malfunctioned which meant that I would have to survive the rest of the weekend without my camera. Nevertheless, I returned from the track with great stills and amazing memories!
Thank you to Repsol Honda Racing for having us over the weekend and thank you to everyone who made MotoGP of Bharat a reality! The Saturday experience follows shortly!
2023 was a special year for me, motorsports-wise. Besides my travels to F1 Races ( Spain & Belgium ), I had the opportunity to attend the Centenary Edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. However, What was more amazing was seeing racing return to my homeland in September 2023.
India ( now Bharat ) hosted its first-ever MotoGP race at the Buddh International Circuit from 22nd to 24th September. The purpose-built racetrack returned to hosting an international motorsports event for the first time since 2013. MotoGP, the pinnacle of racing on two wheels, was my first exposure to motorsport in the late 1990s. Back then, the exploits of Mick Doohan made me a Repsol Honda fan and ever since I have been following their performances avidly.
Attending a MotoGP event was always on my wishlist and when the opportunity to attend the inaugural edition of the Bharat GP presented itself, I simply couldn't refuse. The icing on the cake was that I got invited to the weekend as a guest of Repsol Honda!
As always, the first post from the experience documents all the known motorsport fraternity from the world of MotoGP.
So here goes!
Alex Marquez, Gresini Ducati Racing :
Joan Mir, Repsol Honda Team :
Augusto Fernandez, Gas Gas Factory Racing Tech3 :
Miguel Oliveira, Cryptodata RNF MotoGP :
Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Factory Racing Sports Director :
Jorge Martin, Prima Pramac Racing :
Stefan Bradl, LCR Honda :
Mr Julia Marquez, the Father of the Marquez brothers :
Marc Marquez!! Massive Fan moment for a Repsol Honda loyalist :
Fabio Di Giannantonio, Gresini Ducati Racing :
Sam Lowes, Marc VDS Racing, Moto2 :
Somkiat Chantra, Honda Team Asia, Moto2 :
Lin Jarvis, Team Principal for Monster Energy Yamaha :
Fabio Quartararo, Monster Energy Yamaha Team & 2021 World Champion :
Marc Marquez' Crew Chief, Santi Hernandez :
Takaaki Nakagami, LCR Honda :
Six-time World Champion & Aprilia ambassador, Max Biaggi :
Pol Espargaro, Gas Gas Factory Racing Tech3 :
Luca Marini, Mooney VR46 Racing Team :
Davide Tardozzi, Ducati Racing Team Manager :
Aron Canet, Pons Racing, Moto2 :
Jack Miller, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team :
Deniz Oncu, Red Bull KTM Ajo, Moto3 :
Daniel Holgado, Red Bull KTM Tech3, Moto3 :
Celestino Vietti, Fantic Racing, Moto2 :
Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM MotoGP :
Tony Arbolino, Marc VDS Racing, Moto2 :
Marco Bezzecchi, Mooney VR46 Racing Team :
Ducati General Manager, Luigi Dall'lgna :
Albert Arenas, Red Bull KTM Ajo, Moto2 :
MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Lenovo Team :
Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing Team :
Lucio Cecchinello, Founder of LCR Honda Team :
Darryn Binder, Husqvarna Intact GP, Moto2 :
Raul Fernandez, RNF Aprilia MotoGP :
Razlan Razali, Team Principal, RNF Aprilia MotoGP :
Jaume Masia, Leopard Racing, Moto3 :
Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing, MotoGP :
Johann Zarco, Pramac Racing, MotoGP :
Mr Paolo Simoncelli, Team Owner, Sic58 Squadra Corsa :
Jake Dixon, Gas Gas Aspar Team, Moto2 :
Ana Carrasco, Boe Motorsports, Moto3 :
David Munoz, Boe Motorpsorts, Moto3 :
David Alonso, Gas Gas Aspar Team, Moto3 :
Franco Morbidelli, Monster Energy Yamaha, MotoGP :
Simon Crafar, former racer & Ace Commentator :
Jose Luis Martinez, Assistant & Best Friend to Marc Marquez :
Pablo Nieto, Team Manager, Mooney VR46 Team, MotoGP :
Joe Roberts, Italtrans Racing Team, Moto2 :
Dennis Foggia, Italtrans Racing Team, Moto2 :
Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsports Wheel Manager, It is Such a pleasure to meet him :
It was truly a special experience and a blessing to be at the inaugural edition of MotoGP of Bharat. A big thank you to Repsol Honda Racing for being kind enough to extend invites to my friend and me for the weekend. The Friday, Saturday and Sunday experiences will follow soon, so watch this space!
The Belgian Grand Prix held at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is my favourite race on the F1 calendar. Every year, I make an effort to be present at the Grand Prix and a trip to this beautiful circuit in the Ardennes has become like an annual pilgrimage. The 2023 Belgian Grand Prix was the second F1 race that I attended in the year.
As always, I kickstart my experience from the weekend with "A Gallery of Memories" post, where I share my memories with all the famous and well-known people from the motorsport world and beyond!
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 :
Beat Zehnder, Sporting Director, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake :
1983 Cricket World Cup Winner, Indian Cricket Legend and now an ace commentator, Ravi Shastri :
Liam Lawson, Reserve Driver for Red Bull Racing F1 :
Guanyu Zhou, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake :
Tom Kristensen, WEC Champion & Record winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans :
Jakey Benham, Dani Bereznay, Jarno Opmeer & Marcel Kiefer, Sim racers for Mercedes F1 E-Sports Team :
Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1 Team :
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 :
Jason Cozzetto, one of the senior mechanics at Alpine F1 Team :
Friends and mechanics from the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team!
Pietro Fittipaldi, Reserve Driver for Moneygram Haas F1 Team :
Mr Fritz van Amersfoort, the founder, Team Principal & F3 Team Manager for Van Amersfoort Racing :
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 :
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 :
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 :
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 :
An eventful and inclement weather-filled weekend!
A big thank you to the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team and the hosts at the Ferrari F1 Club for having me over the weekend.
Although this was the last post of "A Gallery of Memories" from an F1 weekend, there remains a surprise, from a new event that I had the opportunity of attending in 2023. More on that later, so watch this space!
The First Race I had the privilege of attending in 2023 was the 2023 F1 Spanish Grand Prix. The trip to Spain was part of a rollercoaster tour across three countries in Europe where I had the blessing of attending 2 Motorsports events, back-to-back!
While this was my third visit to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the Spanish GP didn't fail in giving me memories to last a lifetime, again!
So here starts the latest post in the Gallery of Memories series!
Pedro De La Rosa, Aston Martin Racing Ambassador :
Laurent Mekies, Scuderia Ferrari F1 team Racing Director :
Current F2 Champion and Aston Martin Racing Reserve Driver, Felipe Drugovich :
Aston Martin Racing Ambassador Jessica Hawkins :
Miguel Molina, Driver for Car Number 50 with Ferrari Hypercar in the World Endurance Championship :
Ralf Schumacher, an F1 Legend from the 2000s :
Nyck de Vries, Scuderia Alpha Tauri F1 Team :
Lawrence Stroll, the owner of Aston Martin Racing :
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team :
Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo Stake F1 Team :
Yuki Tsunoda, Scuderia Alpha Tauri F1 Team :
Jack Doohan!
Davide Brivio, Alpine F1 Racing Director & formerly Team Manager for Ecstar Suzuki in Moto GP :
Meeting my Motorsports hero again, Mick Doohan! Such a joy it is to see him fighting fit as always!
Esteban Ocon, Alpine Racing F1 Team :
James Vowles, Williams Racing F1 Team Principal :
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :
2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg!
Ex-F1 Driver and Dakar Legend, Carlos Sainz Sr :
Mr Peter Sauber, the man who was instrumental in bringing some iconic drivers into the sport with his team Sauber F1 :
Spanish Racer Carmen Jorda :
F1 Academy Driver and an Expert Host in the Paddock Club, Nerea Marti :
Kristaps Porzingis, Latvian & Boston Celtics Basketball Player :
Portuguese and Chelsea FC Footballer, Joao Felix!
Chelsea FC and English Footballer, Mason Mount :
Portuguese and Benfica FC Footballer Hugo Felix :
Logan Sargeant, Williams Racing F1 Team :
World Number 3 in Tennis, Daniil Medvedev :
Serge Gnabry, Bayern Munich FC and German Footballer :
Kevin Magnussen, Moneygram Haas F1 Team :
Mick Schumacher, Reserve Driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :
Chelsea FC and England Footballer Ben Chilwell :
Martin Whitmarsh, Aston Martin Group CEO & a man who accomplished so much in the 2000s with McLaren Mercedes :
Ex-F1 Driver and 2012 Spanish GP Winner Pastor Maldonado :
George Russell, Mercedes Petronas AMG F1 Team :
Arthur Leclerc, F2 Driver for DAMS Racing and Charles Leclerc's brother :
Frederic Vasseur, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Principal :
Mark Webber, Multi-race winner in F1 and a WEC Champion :
Nice to meet Billy Monger :
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing F1 Team :
SHAKIRA!! No Introduction is needed!
Patrick Kluivert, Dutch Footballer who played for FC Barcelona :
Randy Mamola, a Moto GP Legend. Such an amazing man to talk to about racing in general :
Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing Reserve Driver :
Andreas Seidl, Sauber Motorsports CEO :
David Coulthard, an F1 legend and currently a commentator & Red Bull Racing Ambassador :
Christian Horner, Team Principal, Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team :
Extreme E and Rally Racer Christine GZ :
Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo Stake F1 Team :
Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Trackside Engineering Director :
Peter Bonnington, the man who says those famous words as his race engineer - "Ok Lewis, it's Hammer time!"
An eventful and hectic weekend indeed. The F1 Race Weekend got soon followed by a weekend at Le Mans, which was also the centenary event of the 24 Hours of Le Mans! Updates from that weekend to follow soon!
A big thank you to the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team for hosting me over the weekend. The Gallery of Memories returns soon, with updates from the 24 Hours of Le Mans!
