The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a test of endurance. The hallmark event of the FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans is a motorsport event like no other. Man and machinery get tested to the hilt and finishing the race remains an achievement in itself.

My friend and I had decided to soldier on and stay awake for the entire duration of the race and as we headed into Sunday and the critical hours of the morning, our eyes began to feel heavy & we began to get drowsy.

The only way to beat this lethargy was to do some activity and we decided to head to Casa Ferrari from the Paddock and watch the racers and their rides navigate through the circuit at night!

Driving through the night, relentless endurance displayed by the drivers and the teams :

The AF Corse Ferrari Hypercars operating in tandem :

After an hour, we decided to head back to the Paddock again and this time, we took a different route.

The Ferris Wheel was fully illuminated as we walked back to the Paddock :

Once we made our way back to the Paddock, we took a short stop outside the Porsche Hospitality. The Hospitality had a large screen outside with the race feed being relayed live.

Incidentally, the broadcaster was showing onboard footage from Car Number 51, a lap around Circuit de la Sarthe!

Onboard with Ferrari Hypercar 51, for almost a lap ( Video Link ) :

As we headed back to the Ferrari hospitality, we got invited to spend some time in the garage. As the only guests present with the team overnight, we had the liberty and the luxury to spend as much time as we wanted, to see the team perform up close!

Spending a couple of hours in the garage was a special experience. The views from the box were amazing. The Pit crew tried to get some rest, as and when the opportunity arose.

After we exited the garage, we went up the stairs to the highest level of the Pits building. The views rivalled that of the Pit Grandstand, and we could see the cars go full throttle down the start-finish straight!

Some Stills from the highest viewing gallery above the Pits Hospitality :

The drivers continue driving as the dawn breaks :

The Ferrari Hypercars racing in the early hours of Sunday morning :

Video Link of the drivers racing with dawn arriving :

The light kept improving as dawn approached and we were slowly feeling hungry again!

Dawn breaks over the circuit :

Breakfast in the Hospitality, always been a fan of Lotus Biscoff! Healthy grub is always available in the Ferrari Hospitality, after all they are catering to the drivers and the team personnel!

As the morning hours crept in on us, people started returning to the paddock from their overnight slumbers.

The light improves as the Paddock begins to become a busy place again :

We decided to head to Casa Ferrari and enjoy the early morning views of the track from the penultimate corner, along with some more indulgent breakfast treats!

Some breakfast treats at Casa Ferrari :

The cars navigating through the penultimate chicane, on a glorious Sunday morning :

The AF Corse Ferraris soldiering on. Car number 51 was in contention for victory :

The guests of Casa Ferrari had the opportunity to watch the action from other parts of the circuit at appointed times. We too enrolled for one such tour and this tour took us to Hunaudieres, a high-speed section followed by an S-chicane that opened up to the legendary Mulsanne Straight!

Shots of the cars through the high-speed Hunaudieres-Mulsanne section :

After we returned from Hunaudieres, we decided to head to Casa Ferrari for the final time. Car Number 51 was leading the race and we hoped to be in the garage for the celebrations.

Walking from the Paddock to Casa Ferrari for the final time on the weekend :

En route, I met an ex-F1 Driver!

Will Stevens, Hertz Team Jota, Hypercar :

Grabbing some stills for the final time from Casa Ferrari!

Back in the hospitality, and lunch was ready!

A quick lunch but a tense one too!

Car Number 51 had been leading from the Toyota Car Number 8 comfortably. The final pit-stop was completed but an electrical shutdown ( due to a malfunctioning steering ) caused number 51 to stall in the pits. With Alessandro Pier Guidi frantically trying to re-activate all systems, all of us in the hospitality were reciting our prayers and gasping with fear. Finally, the car roared back to life and the Italian emerged from the pits, still in the lead, but the gap truncated considerably. Thankfully, that was the last stop and we hoped for no more hiccups in the final hours of racing.

As the clock ran down, we headed to the garage to get ready for the celebrations ( once car number 51 took the chequered flag of course ).

The agonizing wait!

Finally, Victory!! There were jubilant celebrations, tears of joy, hugs and ecstasy as we celebrated this victory for Ferrari AF Corse, on Debut!!

It was time for the drive of honour through the pit lane for the winners of the Centenary Edition of Le Mans.

We lined up on both sides of the pit lane to get a good view of the winners :

Getting a glimpse of the Le Mans winners as they drive through the pit lane!

Drive of Honour through the Pits ( Video Link ) :

Like in F1, we then ran towards the Podium for the celebrations!

As we waited for the podium finishers to come onto the stage, Charles Leclerc got invited for a quick interview.

Charles Leclerc talks about attending the race and his experience as a spectator. The Monegasque expressed his desire to race in the future :

Video Link of the Interview :

The podium finishers from the Hypercar Category make it to the podium :

2nd and 3rd Place Finishers ( Video Link ) :

Winners of the Centenary Edition of Le Mans ( Video Link ) :

The trophy and wreath presentations begin :

Ferrari AF Corse car number 51 finished ahead of Toyota Gazoo Racing car number 8 and Cadillac Racing car number 2.

Well done to James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi ( Ferrari AF Corse ), Sebastien Buemi, Brendan Hartley, Ryu Hirakawa ( Toyota Gazoo ) & Earl Bamber, Richard Westbrook, Alex Lynn ( Cadillac Racing ) for finishing on the podium!

The winners of the Centenary Edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, AF Corse Car Number 51 :

Trophy Presentation & Podium Celebrations ( Video Link ) :

Walking back to the Hospitality after the Podium celebrations :

Time to add 2023 to the list of victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Ferrari AF Corse :

The team personnel brought the constructor trophy to the hospitality.

The Winning Constructor Trophy :

This got shortly followed by the drivers of Car Number 51 - James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi, who took the Chequered Flag at the end.

The drivers of Car Number 51, returning to the Hospitality amidst some applause!

Video Link :

Signatures of all 6 Ferrari Hypercar drivers, mission accomplished!

My friends bid adieu as they had a train and plane to catch! I decided to loiter around the Paddock for one last time!

As I made one final round of the Paddock, I had the opportunity of meeting two more drivers!

Neel Jani, former Le Mans Winner & P3 in LMP2 this year with Oreca-07 Gibson :

Sebastien Buemi, Great P2 for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the Hypercar Category :

Having said my farewells to Ferrari, I headed back to the tram station, via the same entrance that I had come through the previous day.

The circuit and the fan zones bear a deserted look a few hours after the race finished. It was a long walk back to the tram station, but also a memorable one, as I bid goodbye to this iconic circuit.

The sun sets over the town of Le Mans. What an end to a beautiful weekend!

I have also compiled a Vlog on my YouTube Channel about my Sunday Experience.

Video Link :

This was a special special weekend for me, personally. As an ardent motorsports fan, attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans was on my bucket list for quite some time, and what better way than to attend the Centenary Edition and see the Ferrari AF Corse Hypercar win on debut!

A big thank you to the team for the amazing hospitality over the weekend, and for an all-access experience that allowed me to enjoy all that this event had to offer! 

It was great to have my friend Raul and his son for company the entire weekend and as guests of Antonio Giovinazzi, we got treated like Royalty.

Always thankful to God, truly blessed! Motorsport Weekends will return, from another event in 2023 that I had the privilege of attending, so watch this space!

Friday at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was quite a memorable one as we enjoyed meeting a host of drivers at the city parade, but what made it even more special was to meet F1 team personnel from past & present who had congregated to the town of Le Mans to enjoy their bit of endurance racing!

We met personnel from Cosworth, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1, Ford and so many others in the trams, in the cafes and even in the bars! To rub shoulders with these heroes & hear their stories, no holds barred, made the trip worth it.

Eventually, we headed to bed to prepare ourselves for the marathon that beckoned us on Saturday.

Saturday morning arrived sooner than we expected and our day began at 7 am. After some coffee and croissants for breakfast, we headed out to the circuit, prepped and ready for the 24 hours of endurance!

Leaving for the circuit and taking the tram, which turned out to be a convenient conveyance :

Welcome to Circuit de la Sarthe! It was a 30-minute walk to the paddock from this entrance but it was well worth it!

Walking towards the paddock, also getting a chance to walk on the track tarmac ( which wasn't being used for the weekend of course) :

En route, we got to explore various fan experiences and stations erected by the organizers for the weekend!

The Manufacturers Village, an area consisting of makeshift pavilions created by the manufacturers competing in the WEC Championship :

NASCAR, Garage 56 featuring the winning team Hendrick Motorsports had a special entry at the Centenary Race of Le Mans, and was the star attraction in the Village :

The list of winners and our walk to the Paddock continued :

Finally, we reached where we needed to be!

The Ferrari Hospitality in the Paddock is quite a big area!

Lunch was almost ready and famished as we were, we went full send!

Post-lunch, I couldn't stop myself from running over and meeting some Ferrari superstars!

A moment with Pole Sitter Antonio Fuoco, Ferrari AF-Corse, Hypercar :

Exploring the vicinity of the Ferrari Hospitality and taking selfies too!

As the race start time neared, we had the opportunity to get onto the Grid! It would be my first grid walk ever and I wanted to enjoy every minute of it. We made our way to the grid through the garage and then the pit lane.

Helmets and gear are ready for the big race ahead!

Ferrari had a special guest for the weekend, Charles Leclerc! It was such an amazing feeling to see him up close and in a relaxed mood, not having to race but enjoying one as a spectator instead!

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Walking through the pit lane as we make our way to the grid!

Moments on the actual tarmac, oh what a feeling!

Selfies on the Grid!

The grid walk is a busy place to be, and navigating through the crowd was an issue :

Cars from the grid walk, shot with the Sony RX10 IV :

Shots of the cars from the grid walk, taken with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra :

Some stills of the Ferrari Hypercars on the grid! The Ferraris secured a front-row lockout!

We made our way back to the Paddock and then decided to rush over to Casa Ferrari, the team hospitality at the penultimate turn to witness the race start.

The stands and balconies of various hospitality buildings were full as the fans waited for the Centenary Race to begin!

The Centenary Race is a go & we already got a Safety Car on the Opening Lap!

Video Link to the Race Start :

Video Link to the Safety Car Deployed :

Race Restart ( Shot with the Sony RX10 IV ) ( Video Link ) :

Video with the Samsung S23 Ultra :

Shots of the cars navigating the Ford Chicane while a Cadillac Hypercar has front body damage and enters the pits :

The Ferraris navigating the last corner of the circuit :

Video Link of the cars battling it out!

Some of the Shots of Casa Ferrari :

Pizza and Ice cream anyone?

A couple of hours into the race, we decided to walk back to the Paddock and relax in the Hospitality building.

We entered the building and I met a close friend of Kimi Raikkonen!

Le Mans winner and a close ally of Ferrari, Toni Vilander :

Enjoying some evening snacks on offer inside the Ferrari Paddock Hospitality :

Nice to see the signatures of all the personnel on some of the bodywork of the Ferrari Hypercar!

The hospitality was abuzz with activity as the drivers of the cars were either returning from their stint or getting ready for one. I had the privilege of meeting Nicklas after his opening stint in Car No. 50

WEC Champion and Driver for Car No. 50 for Ferrari - AF Corse, Nicklas Nielsen!

The sun hadn't set yet ( European Summers ) but it was time for dinner already!

Time for some dinner, healthy again!

Post dinner, we decided to head back to Casa Ferrari to enjoy the racing at night and also capture some memories of these beautiful racing cars.

Shots of the Paddock at night, as we make our way to Casa Ferrari :

A fireworks display to celebrate the Centenary Race of the 24 Hours of Le Mans :

The Fireworks Display ( Video Link ) :

Shots from Casa Ferrari, the cars and the drivers epitomizing endurance racing, as they battle all odds to race to supremacy, through the night!

The Ferrari 499P Hypercar relentlessly competing in the darkness :

The Safety Cars being put through their paces throughout the night :

Racing through the night ( Video Link ) :

Enjoying some Pasta, a midnight binge indeed!

We then walked back to the Paddock to spend some time and relax in the Ferrari Hospitality. 

More than half the distance and still going strong!

It had been a hectic Saturday which began early morning and tested the endurance and resolve of both our body and mind. Despite the inclement weather and the walking from the Paddock to Casa Ferrari and back, we were still feeling fresh and soldiered on into Sunday.

I also did a two-part Vlog Series about our Saturday Experience at the Circuit!

Part 1 :

Part 2 :

The Sunday Experience follows soon, but first, a big thank you to Ferrari for their Hospitality on Saturday and for giving us all-access to experience the Centenary Edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A truly special weekend was going to become even more special!

More to follow, so watch this space!

In the world of Motorsport, there is a term called "The Triple Crown". The title gets awarded to the racer that wins the Indy 500, Monaco Grand Prix ( F1 ) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The three events pan three different racing classes. Many a racer has striven, but only Graham Hill accomplished this feat.

Although I have been an avid follower of Formula 1, there was always something appealing about the World Endurance Championship. Over the years, I slowly understood different aspects of this series and began following its hallmark event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans with enthusiasm. A true test of grit and endurance, watching a race non-stop for 24 hours was impossible, let alone seeing it live.

However, during the 2022 edition, I discovered that Le Mans would be having its Centenary Grand Prix in 2023! I decided to leave no stone unturned to be present for this special edition! 2023 was also the debut season for Ferrari in the Hypercar category and the Italian marquee roped in the services of Antonio Giovinazzi as one of its six drivers lineup for the season.  

With the pieces falling into place, I finally had an invite to be Giovinazzi's guest at the 24 Hours of Le Mans! After a lot of meticulous planning, which would see me attend the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, I finally had my itinerary ready for this Motorsport-filled trip to Europe!

My friends Raul Martinez & his son Raul Jr were the partners in crime as we embarked on a mission to stay awake for the full 24 hours! 

So how did the weekend pan out? Was the schedule similar to that of F1? Motorsport Weekends, a new series on my blog, begins right here, right now!

The WEC Championship has practice sessions and qualifying sessions on Thursdays. Friday is reserved for support races and the Driver Parade through the city of Le Mans. Unlike F1, WEC has the parade through the city centre of the host city and the town gets decked up as if it's for a carnival!

We were yet to receive our race passes for the weekend and had a late start to the Friday. Nevertheless, we decided on a reconnaissance trip to the circuit to work out our commute options for the rest of the weekend! The easiest way, to and fro, was the tram!

Enroute to the Circuit :

Circuit de la Sarthe is the home to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

We got to the circuit and walked around the periphery.

The entrance to the circuit and seeing some safety cars driving around the outskirts :

Soon enough, it was time to head back to the city to make it in time for the Drivers' Parade.

Walking to the starting point of the Drivers' Parade :

After a little wait, we finally got our passes!

The Race Passes for the weekend :

The square from where the Drivers' Parade commences :

There was a band that was playing some melodious tunes as they walked around the Parade Square.

Video Link :

As we made our way to the Parade Square entrance, I got a chance to bump into some of the contenders from the weekend!

Alex Lynn, Cadillac Racing, Hypercar :

Daniil Kvyat, Prema Racing, LMP2 :

Robin Frijns & Sean Gelael, Team WRT, LMP2 :

Alessandro Pier Guidi & Antonio Giovinazzi, Ferrari-AF Corse, Hypercar!

James Calado, Ferrari-AF Corse, Hypercar :

Jean-Eric Vergne, Peugeot, 9X8, Hypercar :

The drivers start heading out for the parade :

Some beauties, from the yesteryears and now!

Antonio Felix da Costa, Hertz Team JOTA, Hypercar :

Jack Aitken, Cadillac Action Express Racing, Hypercar :

Kamui Kobayashi & Mike Conway, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hypercar :

Jose Maria Lopez, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hypercar :

Jimmie Johnson, 7-time NASCAR Champion racing with a Camaro ZL1, Innovative Car Category :

Alexander Sims, Cadillac Action Express Racing, Hypercar :

Olli Caldwell, Memo Rojas & Andre Negrao, Alpine Elf Team, LMP2 :

Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting, Iron Dames, 911 RSR, LMGTE AM :

Loic Duval, Peugeot 9X8, Hypercar :

Nico Muller & Gustavo Menezes, Peugeot 9X8, Hypercar :

Malthe Jakobsen, Cool Racing, LMP2 :

Nicolas Lapierre, Cool Racing, LMP2 :

Alexandre Coigny, Cool Racing, LMP2 :

Pietro Fittipaldi, JOTA Oreca-07, LMP2 :

Andre Lotterer, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Hypercar & A WEC Legend!

Giedo van der Garde, Graff Racing, LMP2 :

Juan Manuel Correa & Filip Ugran, Prema Racing, LMP2 :

Ferdinand Habsburg, Austrian Royalty racing for Team WRT in LMP2 :

Mathieu Jaminet, Porshce Penske Motorsport, Hypercar :

Felipe Nasr, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Hypercar :

Dane Cameron & Michael Christensen, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Hypercar :

Laurens Vanthoor & Kevin Estre, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Hypercar :

With almost all the drivers leaving the square, I followed the Parade Path till the end of the Parade route!

Walking along the Parade path until the end of the parade itself :

Meeting the drivers wasn't the only special part of the weekend. We had the privilege of hanging out with some iconic mechanics who were associated with the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Cosworth! The experience was simply elevated to another level! 

I also created a Friday Experience Vlog on my YouTube channel that does a much better job of showcasing this weekend!

Video Link :

Although we didn't get to witness any on-track action, it had been a memorable opening day at the Centenary Edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans! A Big Thank you to Ferrari for giving us an indescribable experience!

More to follow from the WEC Weekend, so watch this space!

2023 has been an eventful year with motorsport events outside the world of F1 getting checked on my wishlist.

While the 2023 Spanish GP was my first F1 race of the season, I also had the opportunity to attend the Centenary Edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans!

Ever since I realized that Circuit de la Sarthe would complete 100 years of hosting the biggest event of the World Endurance Championship, I drew up plans to attend the event and it was a dream fulfilled!

Like any other weekend experience, the first post features meeting drivers and personnel from the racing series. Interestingly this is the 24th post in the Gallery of Memories series!

I met most of the drivers during the driver parade through the city on Friday and the rest over the race weekend.

Welcome to the latest edition of "A Gallery of Memories"!

Alex Lynn, Cadillac Racing, Hypercar :

Daniil Kvyat, Prema Racing, LMP2 :

Robin Frijns & Sean Gelael, Team WRT, LMP2 :

Alessandro Pier Guidi & Antonio Giovinazzi, Ferrari-AF Corse, Hypercar!

James Calado, Ferrari-AF Corse, Hypercar :

Jean-Eric Vergne, Peugeot, 9X8, Hypercar :

Antonio Felix da Costa, Hertz Team JOTA, Hypercar :

Jack Aitken, Cadillac Action Express Racing, Hypercar :

Kamui Kobayashi & Mike Conway, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hypercar :

Jose Maria Lopez, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hypercar :

Jimmie Johnson, 7-time NASCAR Champion racing with a Camaro ZL1, Innovative Car Category :

Scott Dixon & Sebastien Bourdais, Cadillac Racing, Hypercar :

Alexander Sims, Cadillac Action Express Racing, Hypercar :

Olli Caldwell, Memo Rojas & Andre Negrao, Alpine Elf Team, LMP2 :

Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting, Iron Dames, 911 RSR, LMGTE AM :

Loic Duval, Peugeot 9X8, Hypercar :

Nico Muller & Gustavo Menezes, Peugeot 9X8, Hypercar :

Malthe Jakobsen, Cool Racing, LMP2 :

Nicolas Lapierre, Cool Racing, LMP2 :

Alexandre Coigny, Cool Racing, LMP2 :

Pietro Fittipaldi, JOTA Oreca-07, LMP2 :

Andre Lotterer, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Hypercar & A WEC Legend!

Giedo van der Garde, Graff Racing, LMP2 :

Juan Manuel Correa & Filip Ugran, Prema Racing, LMP2 :

Ferdinand Habsburg, Austrian Royalty racing for Team WRT in LMP2 :

Mathieu Jaminet, Porshce Penske Motorsport, Hypercar :

Felipe Nasr, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Hypercar :

Dane Cameron & Michael Christensen, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Hypercar :

Laurens Vanthoor & Kevin Estre, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Hypercar :

Pole Sitter Antonio Fuoco, Ferrari AF-Corse, Hypercar :

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

WEC Champion and Driver for Car No. 50 for Ferrari - AF Corse, Nicklas Nielsen!

Will Stevens, Hertz Team Jota, Hypercar :

Neel Jani, former Le Mans Winner & P3 in LMP2 this year with Oreca-07 Gibson :

Sebastien Buemi, Great P2 for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the Hypercar Category :

It was truly a special weekend at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and, I am looking forward to documenting my experiences....

So watch this space!

The year was 2001. I was playing the F1 2001 game by EA Sports as Mika Hakkinen in the McLaren, and during the presentation of the grid, I came across a Kimi Raikkonen in a Sauber Petronas, in the lower half of the field.  An instant connection got formed that day. Little did I know that this young Finnish Racer would leave a lasting impression on my life and race for almost two decades in F1.

Hailing from Espoo in Finland, Raikkonen had already impressed Peter Sauber during a private test in 2000. The youngster had completed only 23 single-seater races and competed only in Formula Renault after his karting days. So impressed was Sauber with Raikkonen's showing at the test that he left no stone unturned in securing him a super licence and an F1 drive in 2001.

After his exploits at Sauber, which established him as the next Finnish superstar, he switched to McLaren in 2002, becoming the team's new "Flying Finn". Those were the years of men like Ron Dennis, Martin Whitmarsh and Nobert Haug at the helm, locked in intense battles with Michael Schumacher, Jean Todt and Ross Brawn, who were at Ferrari.

Those years at McLaren had a lot of highs, but also several lows for Raikkonen. Although the cars were title challengers every alternate year ( 2003 and 2005 ), they were highly unreliable. Raikkonen lost out on two world titles, retiring from the lead due to mechanical failures several times. During his stint at McLaren, I struggled to keep up with the racing due to my academic commitments. But when I did watch a race, my eyes searched for the "RAI" in the classification. Hopes arose when he was in the top 3 and sunk when he retired. Whatever was the result, accessing McLaren's site to read what transpired in the race ( including the top brass' assessment ) became a ritual. 

Who can forget the famous victories that Raikkonen had with McLaren, Malaysia 2003, Spa 2004 & 05, Monaco 2005 and Suzuka 2005, to name a few! There was no lack of talent, yet the machine wasn't doing Raikkonen justice. I began to wonder if he would ever emulate his compatriot Hakkinen and win a title at the misfiring McLaren. 

Then came the big move in the latter half of 2006. Speculations were rife that Schumacher, the most successful driver of the sport, would walk away at the end of the year, and Raikkonen was his recommendation to Ferrari. The confirmation came through after the Italian GP, and the Finn would don the Scuderia overalls in 2007.

Having been a McLaren fan even before Hakkinen, I had to choose between Raikkonen and the team. I chose Raikkonen and am glad that I did!

Despite a slow start at Ferrari, Raikkonen slowly began to get to grips with his new car. He looked all but out of title contention against McLaren's protegee and rookie Hamilton. However, Hamilton's retirement at Shanghai took the title battle to the season finale in Brazil. 

I still remember that Sunday night. Preparing for my engineering exam, which was the next day, I was buzzing with excitement about the possibility of Raikkonen getting crowned Champion. Something in me told me that he would win. Ironically, McLaren and Hamilton hadn't suffered from any mechanical issues that year. The race got underway, and Hamilton's gearbox malfunctioned! With the Briton languishing at the back of the pack, Raikkonen was suddenly in contention for the title! Ferrari completed a swap of positions during the pit stops to give Raikkonen the lead. As soon as Raikkonen crossed the finish line to victory, Ferrari confirmed that he was World Champion, having won it by one point!!

I was ecstatic in my living room, the tensions of an exam forgotten. Finally, all the heartaches of the previous five years ended! Kimi Raikkonen was an F1 World Champion!!

In 2008, Ferrari chased a development plan contrary to what Raikkonen desired, and the latter had to play a support role to teammate Massa's title fight. The title decider was in Brazil once again, and Hamilton didn't falter this time. 2009 saw a regulations overhaul and the big guns faltered against Brawn GP and Button, who romped to the World Title. A stellar drive by Raikkonen gave Ferrari its only win in Belgium. The Finn got called "The King of Spa" after his famous victory!

With Alonso eyeing a seat in a top team after his unceremonious exit from McLaren at the end of 2007, Ferrari seemed a possible destination. The negotiations proved successful, and Ferrari cut short Raikkonen's contract. The Finn got replaced for 2010 and failed to secure a drive in the sport!

He left F1 to pursue a career in Rallying with a short stint in Nascar. I was gutted with the news and couldn't keep up with his racing career elsewhere. With Raikkonen out of F1, I lost interest in the sport, unable to watch the races with the same passion. My sporting interests slowly began to shift to Moto GP and Football. Although I did attend the inaugural Indian GP in 2011, I couldn't imagine F1 without Raikkonen... 

Come 29th November 2011. I was in my office going through some sports-related news on a couple of websites. Suddenly, I came across an article that read, "Raikkonen returns to F1 in 2012 with Lotus"!!

The Iceman was back, in F1, on a two-year deal! That day, my love for the sport got reignited. More importantly, with my academic and educational commitments complete, I got presented with the opportunity of travelling to F1 races, something I wouldn't pass up considering that it was only a two-year deal for Raikkonen. And so began my journey to meet my hero in person!

Malaysia, Silverstone, Singapore, India, Nurburgring, Monza, Abu Dhabi were the races I got to be at, meeting Raikkonen on a few occasions. 

Raikkonen's stellar performances at Lotus F1 left the team at the brink of bankruptcy. The Finn went on to record two wins and thirteen podiums during his two-year tenure. His performances attracted the attention of an old employer, and for 2014, the Finn rejoined Ferrari! In his words, "I am coming home".

His second stint at Ferrari lasted five years that had Alonso and Vettel as codrivers. Strategic bungles and misfortunes played spoilsport more often than not. There were many memorable performances, and 2018 was Raikkonen's strongest year that included victory at the Circuit of the Americas. During his time at Ferrari, I attended races at the following venues - Hockenheimring, COTA, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Hungary, Abu Dhabi.

Although many media personnel declared Raikkonen a spent force, the Finn still had more to give to the sport. In 2019, he made an unthinkable return to Sauber F1 ( rechristened to Alfa Romeo Racing ), his first employer in the sport. In 2019, I followed Raikkonen to Canada, Belgium and Suzuka.

I had made elaborate plans for 2020, but then the world got hit by the Pandemic COVID-19. 2020 was the first year since Raikkonen's return to F1, in which I failed to be at a live race. The Pandemic continues to deny me the chance of attending a race in 2021, and with Raikkonen announcing that he would walk away from F1 at the end of the season, I am hoping and praying to be at Abu Dhabi for the final race.

Raikkonen remains the most successful Finnish driver in F1 and also Ferrari's last Champion. He might not be the one with the most victories or championships, and probably his career statistics might look uninspiring to many. For many, Raikkonen was even past his prime. However, no one can disagree about the legacy he has built in the sport.  

Drivers ( current and past ) praised him for being a fair yet hard racer. Those who knew him as a teammate appreciated his uncomplicated and straightforward attitude to life and racing. A man of few words, Raikkonen spoke his mind, rarely adhering to PR generated responses, was apolitical and focussed only on what unfolded behind the wheel. Those who had worked with Raikkonen as race engineers or mechanics acknowledged his ability to understand car setups. His feedback and suggestions were precise, reminiscent of Schumacher as per Andrea Stella. Whatever be the situation, Raikkonen was always committed to the cause and the betterment of his team. He was one of those drivers who didn't spend time at a simulator before heading to a new circuit, a born racer, like an Alonso or Vettel or Hamilton, a breed rarely seen nowadays. 

To the world, he still looks demotivated, disinterested and ice-cold in his behaviour. But those who got to know him up close or to those who saw him live life from close quarters, Raikkonen is a man full of joy, love and care, focused on his professional commitments. With the arrival of a partner in Minttu Raikkonen, his life became more fulfilling, and now with kids like Robin and Rianna, Kimi has his days full of daddy duties. Priorities change with time.

2021 has been the year of retirements, with Moto GP legend Valentino Rossi calling it a day and Anthony Davidson leaving WEC. Retirement is inevitable for every athlete, and as a fan, you always hope for one more year. At 42, his age is catching up with Raikkonen, and although he hasn't lost his competitive edge ( as evident from his consistent results for Alfa Romeo ), a time comes when one has to stop. It isn't easy to compete with the best drivers on the planet for two decades, but Raikkonen managed to ace it with aplomb. 

For me, I am still struggling to accept Raikkonen's absence from the grid in 2022. In the past, without Raikkonen, F1 wasn't likeable anymore. 

"Kimianks", a term made with Kimi and initials from my name ( Ankush ),  became my identity on all social media platforms for the past two decades. Thanks to Raikkonen, I had the privilege of going to some of the most stunning race tracks, getting close to the action and sharing my passion with like-minded fans. Lotus F1 ( now Alpine F1 ), Scuderia Ferrari and Alfa Romeo Racing had been kind enough to give me enhanced access and the pleasure of watching my hero up close, sharing their joys in the times of celebrations, for which I shall always be thankful. 

The life lessons that Raikkonen has taught me are invaluable - being transparent and straightforward in your profession, celebrating without inhibitions, valuing family above everything else and maintaining a close circle of confidants.

I take this opportunity to thank the Raikkonen family ( his parents, siblings, wife and kids ) for all the support provided to Kimi over the years, from the humble beginnings at karting to acing it in the F1 world. A big thank you to his Physical Trainer Mark Arnall for keeping him fit and healthy throughout his career. It has been such a glorious training career for Mark, having trained the likes of Hakkinen and Raikkonen during their tenures in the sport. To the Robertsons and Mr Sami Visa, thank you for taking care of his contractual and sponsorship obligations. And finally, thank you to every team member that has been part of Raikkonen's journey through F1, at Alfa Romeo Racing F1, McLaren F1, Scuderia Ferrari F1 and Lotus ( Alpine F1 ). 

As the Iceman bid adieu to the sport at Alfa Romeo's farewell party at Hinwil in Switzerland, I, as a fan, knew that an incredible journey was coming to an end. It has been a blessing to be called a Kimi Raikkonen fan over the past two decades, and I shall remain a fan, admirer and a fanatic for life.

The journey hasn't ended yet, and two races remain before the curtains close on an illustrious career. I still garner hopes of being at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. I am praying that I get see Kimi Raikkonen race one last time and say my farewells in person.

There is so much more to say, so much more to process, and words can never do justice to the journey I have had as a fan of the ICEMAN, the Flying Finn, KIMI RAIKKONEN!

Here are some of the memories I cherish with Kimi :

Like he said, on the day of his retirement, "This is it"... profound words... probably, for me too, this might be it...

Thank you, Kimi, thank you. Wishing you and the family the very best for the future and pray for the Almighty's blessing and grace on your life, always!

Hopefully, we shall meet again, someday!

To Kimi Raikkonen, an F1 Racer, an F1 World Champion, a Legend.. Thank you for everything! Thank you!

Typhoon Hagibis had wrecked havoc in mainland Japan on Saturday. The Circuit organizers had decided to shift Qualifying to Sunday Morning while cancelling all events on Saturday ( and rightly so ). The storms lasted for the night but the sun came out in the morning! It was great to behold the morning sun on what promised to be a very very busy Race Day!

A Glorious Morning after a Stormy Saturday!

We had learnt our lesson and decided to use the Trains to make our way into Suzuka. The first leg of my journey consistent of a one stop Metro ride to Nagoya Central Station.

Taking the Metro to Nagoya Central Station :

The train ride to Shiroko Station and a 15 minute Taxi ride to Suzuka from there.

Shiroko to Suzuka :

The journey was fairly brisk and we reached the Paddock Gates at 9 in the morning. There were others from the F1 Fraternity making an entry with us!

The F1 Supremo, the CEO, Mr. Chase Carey :

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Principal Toto Wolff :

Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :

Welcome to the Japanese GP Paddock!

Chocolate and Cappuccino to go with breakfast :

Post breakfast, I made my way down to the F1 Village to see what the stores had on offer.

The F1 Village, completely packed with passionate fans. It is pretty evident that Kimi Raikkonen is a big hit in Japan.

An hour of walking around and it was time to head to the Viewing Terrace for the start of Qualifying.

The view from the Terrace on Sunday Morning :

Shots from Q1 :

Charles Leclerc was the fastest in Q1 from Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen. Both the Alfa Romeos made it into Q2!

Returning to the Pits at the end of the session :

Q2 Underway :

Valtteri Bottas was the Fastest in Q2 from Lewis Hamilton and Alexander Albon! Antonio Giovinazzi qualified in P11 while Kimi Raikkonen finished in P13, both Alfa Romeo cars out in Q2 sadly.

Shots from Q3 :

Video Link for Start of Q3 :

Sebastian Vettel grabbed Pole position from Charles Leclerc and Valtteri Bottas, a great position to start for Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team!

Alfa Romeo would be disappointed to narrowly miss being in the top 10, but a free tyre choice should promise them a strong race!

The various levels of Access in the Paddock World of F1. Complex and confusing!

Post Qualifying, it was time for the Pit Lane Walk :

Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :

The Alfa Romeo Racing Garage getting prepped :

Lunch :

The Motorhome, a busy place. Everyone grabbing a quick bite before heading back to the garage to prepare for the race :

Grid Kids making their way down to the grid :

I found my vantage spot on the Terrace and it was time to get ready for the Grid Presentation and the Race Start!

The Starting Grid - a hub of activity before the Race Start :

The Drivers gathering for the National Anthem before the race :

The chariots being readied for their riders :

The Alfa Romeo crew getting the machines ready :

The Boys getting suited up for battle :

Time to get buckled in :

Final checks before the Formation Lap :

The Timer running down :

The Grid is cleared for the start of the Formation Lap :

Formation lap time!

Video Link To Start of the Formation Lap :

Cars forming up on the grid for the Race Start :

2019 Japanese GP Race Start ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the race :

Charles Leclerc Pit Stop ( Video Link ) :

Alex Albon Pit Stop ( Video Link ) :

Sebastian Vettel Pit Stop ( Video Link ) :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team battling in out in the race :

Valtteri Bottas reigned supreme in Japan. Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton finished P2 and P3 respectively. Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi finished P12 and P14, another weekend with no points for the the team..unable to break the rut!

The Paddock being packed up before the race ends. A common occurrence at a lot of race weekends.

I spent some time socializing with friends post race.

China is a short trip from Japan and it was amazing to meet the ICE ARMY from China! Fanatical Kimi Raikkonen supporters this lot!

Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team :

Making my way to the circuit exit :

Bye Bye Suzuka! You were awesome! Hope to be back here one day!

Back to Nagoya..will miss these views.

A Kimi Raikkonen flag, Thank you for the gift Ice Army China :

The Collectibles from the Race Weekend! Mini helmets of Antonio Giovinazzi, Kimi Raikkonen, Charles Leclerc & Lewis Hamilton and the Scale model of Kimi Raikkonen's Alfa Romeo F1 Car C38.

It was yet another disappointing weekend for Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team. However we keep pushing and we will be back to better days soon! A Big Thank you to the team for their hospitality!

Japan has been an overwhelming experience. I am bowled over by the warmth & respect shown by the people. Words fall short to describe the passion that the fans have..they Live, Breathe F1. At every step you find fans with unique ways of expressing their love & support for the teams & drivers. 

God Bless this land abundantly!

I do hope that you enjoyed "The Paddock Weekends" series from 2019. There will be more of these in 2020. 

Thank you all for your support and love!

The Circuit of Suzuka has been one of the legendary circuits on the F1 Calendar. Visiting Suzuka was on my to-do list for long. I finally had the chance of visiting it in 2019. The Plans were made, albeit at a short notice. I flew into Tokyo, staying for the weekend in Nagoya. 

Unfortunately, due to Typhoon Hagibis which was due to hit Suzuka on the weekend, the organisers decided to not run any sessions on Saturday. The same was announced on Friday. Friday was going to be a busy day for the teams - Gathering data and locking down their facilities to survive the storm.

My Pass for the weekend :

We were driven to the Circuit on Friday. Big Mistake! We got stuck in traffic and missed about 20 minutes of Free Practice 1.

Enroute to the Circuit :

The makeshift Alfa Romeo Racing Motorhome for the weekend :

The Paddock on Friday Morning, usually calm and silent :

Beauties used in the Pirelli Hot Laps Experience, I was amazed at the rides on offer :

I soon found a spot in the Paddock Club and began clicking some stills from FP1.

Shots from Free Practice 1 :

Valtteri Bottas was the fastest in FP1 from Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. Antonio Giovinazzi suffered a Gearbox Failure and did only 4 laps in FP1. Kimi Raikkonen finished P12.

I made it back into the Paddock and it was time to meet some F1 Fraternity!

Mr. Sami Visa! Kimi Raikkonen's PR! He is such an amazing and humble guy! So blessed to meet him!

Takeo Yokoyama, Technical Manager for Repsol Honda Team in Moto GP. I had never imagined meeting him at a F1 race weekend; as a big Repsol Honda Fan, this was truly an honour!

Lunch is served :

The lunch complete, I made my way down to the Pit Lane for the only Pit Lane Walk of the Day.

Time for the Pit Lane Walk!

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team was kind enough to invite me into their Garage during the Pit Lane Walk :

Fans dressed up as Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas enjoying their F1 weekend :

The Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Pit Box :

Sergei Sirotkin, Renault Sport F1 Team Reserve Driver :

Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team :

Daniel Ricciardo, Renault Sport F1 Team :

It was then time for Free Practice 2!

Shots from Free Practice 2 :

Valtteri Bottas was the fastest in FP2 from Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen. Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi were P11 and P15 respectively.

The Paddock winding down after Free Practice 2, the post session formalities being carried out :

Cappuccino and Swiss Chocolate, an unbeatable combination :

Lance Stroll, Sportpesa Racing Point F1 Team :

Alex Albon, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Friday Evening was more like a Sunday evening, a lot was being packed up by the logistics team; sandbags were placed to weather the storm that was incoming. No one was sure of the damage the typhoon could leave in its wake, all they could do was to fortify and prepare.

Meeting some Japanese Super fans in the Paddock! The Duo had the best day of their lives, thanks to Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team who invited them to enjoy a whole day in the Paddock! I was really awed by their passion!

I made my way to the Taxi Stand to head back to the Train Station and came across this!

Proof that Kimi Raikkonen still tops the charts in Japan! His fan following knows no bounds!

Bye Bye Suzuka, stay safe and see you on Sunday!

On my way back to Nagoya, via a limited express train :

It was a memorable Friday at the 2019 Japanese GP. Alfa Romeo Racing were great hosts as ever! More to follow from Sunday!

Sunday at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix was an emotional one, a day of tributes. It was a day when the entire Motorsport community, teams and fans alike stood together as one to honour the racer that Anthoine Hubert was. It was a day when the Community reaffirmed, we stand together in the face of this loss and tragedy..we mourn today yet one day we shall rise again..

The Formula 2 Sprint Race was cancelled as a mark of respect. All the teams from both the Support Race and F1 Race Paddock congregated on the Pit Straight to pay tribute to the memory of Anthoine Hubert. The fans had decided to rise in standing ovation on Lap 19 ( the number on Hubert's car ) during the F1 race as a mark of the respect for the racer. The schedule for the rest of the day was unchanged. 

Making our way to Spa Francorchamps :

The Paddock on Sunday Morning, a busy day ahead for everyone but the atmosphere was sober and grim after the incident on Saturday.

Carlos Sainz Jr., McLaren Racing F1 Team :

Daniil Kvyat, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :

I made it into the Motorhome and Breakfast was waiting for us :

Post breakfast I went for a stroll through the Paddock and some more heroes from this profession.

The fighter Robert Kubica, Rokit Williams F1 Racing Team :

Esteban Ocon, Reserve Driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :

Double World Champion in Formula E, ex F1 racer Jean-Eric Vergne :

Sebastian Vettel! Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team!

Pierre Gasly, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :

Time for a quick bite before heading out for the Pit Lane Walk of the day :

Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :

We took our spots outside the Paddock to watch the race start and the Belgian Air Force obliged us with an amazing Fly-Past :

Video Link :

The Grid Kids making their way back from the Starting Grid :

The Race got underway shortly after.

Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :

Race Start ( Video Link ) :

Kimi Raikkonen and Max Verstappen had a coming together at La Source hairpin in the opening lap. The Finn was left with a badly damaged floor and had to go through 2 pit stops before coming out at the back of the pack. Max wasn't as lucky and ended up in the barriers before Kemmel Straight. There was a collective groan from all the Dutch Fans who had made their way to the race to see their hero race. Credit to them, they stayed back to honour Hubert ( lap 19 tribute ). The Safety Car was deployed on the Opening Lap. 

It was a difficult race for Kimi thereafter. 

Race Restart after Safety Car Period ( Video Link ) :

Shots from the Race :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team fighting hard in the Race :

I was in the Team Garage for the Latter Part of the Race and was able to watch a Pit Stop from the Garage!

Video Link :

Kimi came home in P16. Antonio Giovinazzi was doing a fine job in P9 until a mistake on the penultimate lap made him crash out of the race. It was a wretched weekend and zero points for the team :( Antonio also suffered from an impact ( whiplash ) injury and had to be attended to post race.

The cars making their way to Parc Ferme after the Race :

Charles Leclerc took victory from Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. Sebastian Vettel ended up P4 after some poor strategic calls by Ferrari. Ferrari were relieved to finally win a race in 2019. It was the start of a 3 race winning streak for the team, an indication that one should never write off the Prancing Horse.

Parc Ferme and Interviews for the Top 3 finishers.

Video Link :

The podium ready to welcome the Top 3 :

Presenting the Top 3 finishers of the 2019 Belgian GP :

Podium Presentation Video Link :

National Anthems time :

Trophy Presentation :

Video Link :

The cars sent to FIA Scrutineering :

I made my way back to the Motorhome and the team were distributing some Magnums. Helps cool everything down.

Packup time for the teams. The next race ( Italy ) takes place on the next weekend, so the turnaround time is very less for the teams.

Taking some more shots outside the Motorhome before its dismantled and shipped out :

I got to meet some more technical personnel!

Kimi Raikkonen's Race Engineer in Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team, Mr. Julien Simon-Chautemps :

Masahi Yamamoto, Managing Director for Honda Racing in F1 :

The Paddock being wrapped up :

After a certain time, it becomes quite unsafe to loiter around and its advisable for guests to leave the Paddock Area.

An earlier-spec Renault Sport F1 that was on display in the Paddock Club ( I guess ) :

Bye Bye Circuit de Spa Francorchamps, see you next year!

Walking back to the transfer area for my ride back to Hasselt. Some final selfies with my pass which would no longer be valid..a great souvenir to keep though!

I reached Hasselt pretty late at night ( thanks to the Traffic heading out of the track ). My friends Jane and Kaz had already reached the Hotel before me and were waiting for me at the bar. We sat together late into the night, talking, laughing remembering the weekend gone by. Kaz, a Leclerc fan was overjoyed with his win..Jane and I, Kimi fans had forlorn faces. We also raised a toast to the talent Anthoine Hubert. He will surely be missed.

Before I retired for the night, I pondered on the weekend gone by..the excitement and the highs of Friday and Saturday, the joy cut short by Hubert's demise on Saturday, the emotional Sunday that was. I felt so honoured and blessed to be a part ( albeit a small one ) of the Motorsport family that is spread all across this world. 

I thanked God for His Grace and all the blessings I have had in life..I was living my dream..like so many others..

Once again, a Big Thank you to Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team for their Hospitality and Warmth over the weekend. True we didn't have a good weekend, but we keep our head down and keep pushing!

The Paddock Weekends will make a return soon..

Godspeed everyone!

Saturday on a Grand Prix weekend features the last Free Practice Session, FP3 and Qualifying for F1. Its shortly followed by the Feature Race in F2. This was a Saturday that we can never forget..

An early start to the day helped us beat some traffic to the track.

Enroute to the Circuit from Hasselt :

We were also in time for the Saturday Morning Pit Lane Walk.

Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :

The Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team Garage :

Kimi Raikkonen's Alfa Romeo being Fired up before FP3 ( Video Link ) :

A beautiful morning in the Paddock :

Healthy Breakfasts anyone?

It was then time for Free Practice 3 and I found a nice place to shoot some pictures of cars going up Raidillon :

I made my way back to Turn 1 ( La Source ) and met Porsche Carrera Cup Drivers on the way while going through the Support Race Paddock.

Dylan Pereira, Supercup Porsche Carrera Cup Racing Driver :

Some more shots of the cars coming out of La Source Hairpin :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team during FP3 :

Charles Leclerc was fastest in FP3 from Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas. Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi were P8 and P9 respectively.

A Quick Lunch in the Motorhome :

Timo Glock, Ex-F1 and DTM Racer :

The Motorhome, a busy place during Lunch :

Heikki Kulta of Finnish Press :

It was also time for the 2nd Pit Lane walk of the day. 

The Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team Garage!

I headed out to the La Source hairpin stand after the Pit Lane Walk to meet my friend and long time Kimi Supporter Zakria!

Qualifying got underway soon after. Shots from Q1 :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team during Q1 :

Charles Leclerc was the fastest in Q1 from Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Both the Alfas made it into Q2!

Shots from Q2 :

Antonio Giovinazzi's car suffered a mechanical failure in Q2 and couldn't set a time. He would eventually start the race in P18 after serving the penalties incurred for the parts change. Charles Leclerc was the fastest from Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. Kimi Raikkonen made it into Q3.

Shots from Q3 :

Charles Leclerc took Pole from Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. Kimi Raikkonen qualified a commendable P8 ( effective P6 after Ricciardo's and Hulkenberg's penalties ).

Ferrari were ecstatic after locking out the front row!

Post Qualifying celebrations :

Taking the Cars to Parc-Ferme :

I made it back to the paddock to unwind for a bit before heading home.

Mark Webber and David Coulthard, highly successful Racers in F1 and beyond :

Brett Arnall, Mark Arnall's brother and my friend Kimi Raikkonen fan Jane Bleach :

During the F2 Feature Race, a massive crash happened just after Raidillon. Young Drivers Anthoine Hubert and Juan Manuel Correa were involved in the incident. The Race was red-flagged and later cancelled. Both were rushed to the Medical Centre. 

Inspite of their best efforts, Anthoine Hubert didn't make it. We were shocked and shaken after hearing the news. True Motorsports is dangerous but a talent who was only 21 was taken away from us, in the cruelest way possible. Words fall short to describe the mood in the Paddock. Everyone rallied around the near and dear ones of this Renault Program young driver. It once again showed how closed knit the Racing Community. Juan is still under treatment and after a couple of critical surgeries is on a rough road to recovery. All of us shed tears, all of us were one...all of us..

As we head back to Hasselt, our hearts were heavy, our senses numb, we still didn't want to believe this to be true..but such is life..

This incident reminded us that racers sacrifice their all to live their dreams, to race, to enthrall, to entertain, to give us memories that will be etched in the hearts of us fans forever and yet, all it takes is a moment, one instance to end it all. This Sport unites us..as one big family..fans and racers alike..we race as one, we win as one....and in the times of mourning we mourn as one..There is an old saying "life goes on"..for Anthoine's Family, life would never be the same again..

May his soul rest in peace..

The legacy of Anthoine Hubert lives on..

The Sunday experience follows next.. 

The 2019 Belgian Grand Prix was a special Grand Prix. All the Grands Prix that I attended have been memorable but this year's Belgian GP was the beginning of a new experience - an experience of being a guest of the team in the Motorhome for the Entire Weekend. The weekend saw a beginning of a New Series on my Blog. 

The New Series is called "The Paddock Weekends". It was truly an amazing feeling to be the guest of the Alfa Romeo Racing F1 team for the entire weekend. I would get a Paddock Pass with my name on it, have access to their Motorhome, Garage and Podium Access post qualifying and the race. I would have to find a new spot to capture stills over the weekend ( no Paddock Club access ) which wasn't really an issue. Armed with my Sony RX 10 IV and Samsung Note 10+, I stepped out to live my childhood dream!

I stayed in Hasselt ( just like in 2017 ) and the drive to Spa Francorchamps was never more than an hour. Accompanying me were friends from UK Jane & Kaz!

This is the Friday Experience.

Enroute to the Circuit :

Some shots with the Samsung Note 10+ :

What an Elegant Race Pass!!

Friday Morning in the Paddock. Kimi Raikkonen walking in with the Alfa Romeo Team Manager Beat Zehnder :

The Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team Motorhome! The Chocolates served with Coffee were lovely. I was sharing the table with ANTONIO GIOVINAZZI! What an honour!

Sometime after settling in it was time for Free Practice 1 to begin. Kimi Raikkonen heading out with his trainer Mark Arnall :

I decided to get some shots of the Paddock while heading down to the Alfa Romeo Garage :

Waiting outside the Alfa Romeo Garage :

I got to the Garage and met a dear friend of Kimi!

Antii Pyrhonen, Team Manager for Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Team in Motocross & one of Kimi Raikkonen's closest friends :

A 40 minute stop in the garage and it was time to rush out and grab a spot to capture some stills.

Jos Verstappen, Max's father and ex-F1 Driver :

Shots from Free Practice 1 :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team during FP1 :

Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were the Fastest in FP1. Kimi Raikkonen & Antonio Giovinazzi were P13 and P15 respectively.

The Paddock in Belgium is a two - tier one. The upper tier is used for Debriefs and Engineers' meets while the Lower Tier houses the various motorhomes of the teams.

Kimi Raikkonen, in deep conversation with his Father-in-law Mr. Kimmo Virtanen! The Iceman..so close!!

Time to walk around for some more selfies!

Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director, Renault Sport F1 Racing Team :

Triple World Champion and F1 Legend, Sir Jackie Stewart!

Stoffel Vandoorne! Belgian Ex-F1 Racer now racing in Formula E :

Juan Pablo Montoya, another F1 legend!

Pietro Fittipaldi, grandson of Double World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi :

I decided to pay the F1 Village a visit and FP2 had already begun! It was nice to see the fans unwinding in front of the big screens in the Village.

Shots from FP2 :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team during FP2 :

Charles Leclerc was the fastest in FP2 from Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas. Kimi Raikkonen was P7 while Antonio Giovinazzi P16.

I headed back to the Paddock after FP2.

The Famous Media Pen!

Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team!

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team Reserve Driver and Indy Racer Marcus Ericsson :

Fredric Vasseur, Team Principal, Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team :

Toto Wolff, Team Principal, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :

The day was winding down. A lot of the personnel left for their hotels. I was busy in conversation with the near and dear ones of Kimi Raikkonen when I was invited to share a seat at his table..THIS...

Mr. Kimmo Virtanen, Minttu Raikkonen's Father and Kimi Raikkonen's Father-in-law :

Beat Zehnder, Team Manager for Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team :

Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team :

Christian Horner, Team Principal, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

James Allison, Technical Director, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Racing Team :

Jehan Daruwala, Indian Racer in F3 racing with Prema Racing Team :

Ottmar Szafnauer, CEO and Team Principal, Racing Point F1 Team :

James Vowles, Chief Strategist, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Racing Team :

Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :

George Russell, Rokit Williams Racing F1 Team :

Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team :

Daniel Ricciardo, Renault Sport F1 Team :

Max Verstappen, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Alexander Albon, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Kimi Raikkonen! Yes its Kimi Raikkonen!! The Weekend is made! He now races with Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team :

Returning to our hotel in Hasselt :

It was an amazing Friday at Spa Francorchamps. The Alfa Romeo duo seemed quick and the weekend ahead promised to be a really positive one! 

I would like to thank Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team for the hospitality shown towards me over the weekend.

The Saturday experience follows next!