Its an early start on Saturday for the teams with Pit Stop Practice followed by the final free practice of the weekend and Qualifying. Qualifying determines the starting order / grid for the race on Sunday. Alfa Romeo had a tough Friday. Did their fortunes improve on Saturday? Were Ferrari able to capitalize on their pace advantage and come out on top on Saturday?

The organisers had built a new Paddock Club facility for the circuit ( spending around 20 million Dollars! ), so it was nice to be a part of this inaugural weekend.

Lets have a quick recap of how the day unfolded.

Enroute to the Circuit :

The Boat Ride to the Paddock Club :

The Boat drops the guests right outside the entrance of the Paddock and sure enough you meet a lot of famous faces in F1.

Nicholas Latifi, Rokit Williams Racing F1 Team Reserve Driver 

Brendan Hartley, Reserve Driver for Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Lance Stroll, Driver for Racing Point F1 Team :

Coffee & Croissants anyone?

Shots from FP3 ;

Alfa Romeo Racing during FP3 :

The Pitwalls of all teams hard at work :

Cars returning to the Pits after FP3 ( Video Link ) :

Sebastian Vettel was fastest from Charles LeClerc and Lewis Hamilton in FP3. Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen were P15 and P16 respectively.

Shortly after FP3 it was time for Lunch and the Pit Lane walk of the day.

Lunch, truly a global affair!

The Pit Lane Walk before Qualifying :

Selfie time with the GoPro Hero 7 Black :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

After a quick visit to the Pit Lane, I rushed back upstairs to be in time for the Podium visit. F1 Experiences takes its guests behind the scenes for a quick visit to the Cool Down Room ( a place where the top 3 Drivers are weighed and unwind after a gruelling race before heading out onto the Podium ).

The winner on the Top Step of the Podium. Since the Paddock Club has been revamped in Montreal so no one else has stood here before. We were among the first.

The View from the Podium. The area would be packed by Photographers, team members and fans after the race on Sunday!

Time for Qualifying! Shots from Q1 :

Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team during Q1 :

Chequered Flag :

Kimi Raikkonen was knocked out in Q1 :( a big big disappointment. The Alfa just wasn't quick enough. Giovinazzi scraped through in 15th. Sebastian Vettel was fastest in Q1 from Charles LeClerc and Valtteri Bottas.

Q2 underway :

Antonio Giovinazzi during Q2 :

Kevin Magnussen crashed on his final run in Q2. He did go through Q3 but would take no further part.

Giovinazzi finished in P13. Max Verstappen didn't make it to Q3 either and that was a big surprise. Lewis Hamilton was fastest in Q2 from Valtteri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel. 

Q3 underway :

And that is the end of Qualifying :

Sebastian Vettel grabbed pole from Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeClerc. Finally Ferrari had something to cheer about on Saturday.

Cars returning to Parc-ferme  for Post-Qualifying Interviews :

Sebastian Vettel in great mood at the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Suite :

Pierre Gasly, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Nice to see Memorabilia, Posters,Car displays and even Ice Hockey in the Paddock Club. Adds to the Ambience and brings a different kind of freshness and vibe.

Some Stills from the Porsche Cup :

It was time to say goodbye to the Paddock Club and hang around for a bit downstairs. The decision turned out to be quite fruitful, evident from the pictures that follow!

Sergio Perez, Sportpesa Racing Point F1 Team :

Matia Binotto, Team Principal for Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Mr. Lawrence Stroll, Billionaire & Lance Stroll's Father :

Daniel Ricciardo, Renault Sport F1 Team :

Alexander Albon, Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team :

Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal for Renault Sport F1 Team :

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

Adrian Newey, The Guru of Aerodynamics and Chief Technical Officer for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 Team :

Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal for Sportpesa Racing Point F1 Team :

Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team :

Francois, a dear friend from Renault Sport F1 Team :

Paul Ripke, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team official photographer :

Robert Kubica from Rokit Williams Racing F1 Team :

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team :

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing F1 Team :

Back to the Hotel :

It was an enjoyable Saturday in the Paddock Club ( barring the Qualifying result for the Alfa Romeos ofcourse ). It would be a Long Sunday Afternoon for Kimi & Antonio but all hope wasn't lost for a good points finish. Once again thank you to Edge Global Events for organizing the passes. 

Sunday Experience up next!

It was a relatively early start to the morning from Dubai since the Pit Lane Walk on a Saturday is always an interesting affair. Some teams indulge in pit stop practice while some spend time in setting up cars for FP3. The crowd turnout for the first pit lane walk of the day is also pretty low.

Enroute from Dubai :

Shots from the Pit Lane Walk :

Scuderia Ferrari Mechanics warming up and doing their practice pit stops :

Scuderia Ferrari Mechanics warming up ( Video Link ) :



Scuderia Ferrari Team Pit Stop Practice ( Shot with Nikon B700 ) :



Shot with Samsung Note 9 :

Some more shots :

Time to take the GoPro out and indulge in some selfie love :

The Stands and the atmosphere building up for the Qualifying. It was also time for the First Race of the Weekend for the GP3 Series :

GP3 Race 1 Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :



GP3 Race 1 Start ( Video Link ) :



A New Addition to the Hospitality experience in the Paddock Club was the GO Karting Faceoff. The Yas Marina Circuit has a karting track and guests could sign up for a session of karting and have a piece of racing themselves. I finished P5.

I headed back in time for a hearty meal.

The Menu for today :

Lunch, lets dig in :

Photos from FP3 :

Chequered Flag :

Practicing Grid Starts :

Daniel Ricciardo's stricken Red Bull returning to the pits..

Lewis Hamilton was the fastest from Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel. I also had the opportunity to be downstairs in the garage at the end of the session and roam the paddock after that.

The Paddock :

I also had the opportunity to meet people from the F1 Fraternity!

Gerhard Berger, ex F1 Driver :

Former Team Principal Flavio Briatore :

Lando Norris, McLaren Renault F1 Reserve Driver :

Reigning F2 Champion George Russell :

The Boss, CEO of Formula One Group :

Rami Raikkonen, Kimi Raikkonen's elder brother :

7 Time Nascar World Champion Jimmie Johnson!

Billy Monger :

I returned to the Paddock Club and it was time to get ready for Qualifying!

Shots from Qualifying :

I spent a lot of time in the Garage and after Q3 had the opportunity to visit Parc Ferme!

Lewis Hamilton grabbed pole from Valtteri Bottas who ensured a front row lockout for Mercedes. Sebastian Vettel was P3 and Kimi Raikkonen P4...not a bad place to start for the Iceman.

The Post Qualifying Interviews underway : 

The Media, Photographers and the FIA Personnel taking up their positions for the Parc Ferme formalities :

The Mechanics taking the cars to the FIA Weigh Bridge for Scrutiny Post Qualifying :

The Top 3 Finishers posing on Parc Ferme :

The Pole Position Award presented to Lewis Hamilton :

My Favourite place!

We made our way back to the Suite and the time of Kimi Raikkonen visiting the guests there was nearing!

Some great artwork of the Iceman :

The Iceman Kimi Raikkonen is in the House!

Kimi Raikkonen Interview ( Shot with Nikon B700 ) :



Shot with the Samsung Note 9 :



Raikkonen left to return to the comfort of the Team Building while we prepared to see the start of the Formula 2 Feature Race. 

Nicolas Latifi got taken out at the start, his car badly damaged. Indian Racer Arjun Maini was the driver that drove into him unfortunately.

Safety Car Period in F2 Feature Race ( Video Link ) :



F2 Feature Race Restart ( Video Link ) :



F2 Feature Race Pit Stop ( shot with Nikon B700 ) :



Shot with the Samsung Note 9 :



I made my way to the shared Hospitality Area as the Suite shut for the night and there were some great sights to behold

The Yas Viceroy Hotel..glittering in the Night sky :

Veg Panini anyone?

Time to head back..what an amazing sight to behold :

It was a great Saturday Experience at the Yas Marina Circuit and hopes of a strong end to the season by the Ferrari duo was high. I made my way back to Dubai thankful for the opportunity and privilege of being a guest of Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team. 

Sunday Experience to follow soon...

Spa - Francorchamps is one circuit where a spectator loves the early mornings. I love the mist that settles around the Ardennes offering a cold yet blissful view. I headed out from Aachen at 630 in the morning to behold this.

Enroute to the Circuit :

The Sun breaking through the morning mist...this is the Beauty of Spa!

I missed the early morning Pit Lane Walk thanks to the traffic coming into the circuit.

The Paddock Club opened its doors for the guests and it was time to look forward to an exciting day ahead of Practice and Qualifying!

Coffee and Croissants to start the day :

I decided to head down to the F1 Village for some shopping and had a chance to meet Paddy Lowe briefly.

Paddy Lowe of Williams Martini F1 Racing Team :

The F1 Village, one of the Best Villages in the year. There is such buzz about the place :

I returned from my shopping spree and I had the privilege of being on the F2 Tour and visit the MP Motorsport Garage.

MP Motorsport F2 Car Systems check ( Video Link ) :

Some more shots of the F2 Paddock, a lot more access and easier to meet drivers and team personnel :

I also had the chance of meeting fraternity from GP3.

Callum Illot, Scuderia Ferrari Academy Driver in GP3 :

Jean Alesi, ex Ferrari F1 Driver :

The tour ended and I rushed back just in time for FP3.

Shots from Free Practice 3. 

Sebastian Vettel topped the timesheets from Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton. FP3 ended and it was time for the second pit lane walk of the day.

The second Pit Lane walk of the Day :

I also got a Paddock Pass thanks to Ferrari and went for a stroll in the Paddock.

The local hero and McLaren F1 Driver Stoffel Vandoorne :

Toni Vilander, Cmore F1 co-presenter and a close friend of Kimi Raikkonen :

Felix Rosenqvist, Mahindra Formula E Racer and Porsche GT Racer!

Belgian Air Force practicing for the Fly Past on Sunday :

Lunch :

It was soon time for Qualifying. I was able to capture shots only from Q1 since I spent the next two sessions in the garage.

Kimi Raikkonen was fastest in Q1 while Sebastian Vettel topped Q2. However the weather changed drastically and it started pouring in Q3. Shockingly Ferrari fueled Kimi for only one timed lap and as the rain eased off towards the end of the session, the Iceman was stuck in the garage and dropped from P2 to P6 on the grid! Lewis Hamilton took pole from Sebastian Vettel and Esteban Ocon! The latter was a huge surprise as Racing Point timed it right with their lap. Kimi was livid, distraught and going through a range of emotions. Ferrari had messed it up again :(

Post Qualifying, Ferrari's Reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi came for a quick Q&A :

The Interview ( Video Link ) :

Kimi Raikkonen followed soon after. He was not in a very good mood and understandably so..

Kimi Raikkonen Q&A ( Video Link ) :

Formula 2 Feature Race follows soon after qualifying and is one of the most exciting support races of a F1 weekend.

Time for the Formula 2 Feature Race :

Feature Race Start :

I decided to walk back to the Taxi Stand and as I passed through the Support Races Paddock, I saw a couple of interesting things.

Now that is one way to deck up a Segway! 

Tadsuke Makino, Russian Time F2 Driver :

Time to head back to Aachen :

It was a great day at the Belgian Grand Prix. There was immense disappointment with the strategic error made by Ferrari with Kimi Raikkonen but all was not lost. Sunday is what mattered...

Once again thank you to Scuderia Ferrari and Edge Global Events for the amazing hospitality. The Sunday Experience follows soon!

Saturday Mornings mean an early start when one attends a Formula One Race Weekend. The Day begins with a Paddock Club Track Truck Tour, followed by the morning Pit Lane Walk where Paddock Club Guests can see teams practice their pit stops up-close. Free Practice 3 takes place in the morning where teams run their Qualifying setups followed later by the Qualifying in the Afternoon.

So how did the Saturday at the 2017 Belgian GP pan out? Time to take a peek :

Enroute to the Circuit :

Walking to Spa Francorchamps Circuit via La Source Hairpin :

Photos of the Paddock Club Track Truck Tour :

Some Photos with the GoPro Hero 5 Black :

The First Pit Lane Walk of the Day :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Garage during the Pit Lane Walk :

Romain Grosjean's Haas being readied for FP3 ( Video Link ) :




Saturday morning also see the teams practicing their Pit Stops.


Williams Martini Racing F1 Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

Sahara Force India F1 Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

We had the Opportunity of visiting ART Grand Prix in the Formula 2 Paddock :


The Final Practice session of the Weekend FP3 :


Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team during FP3 :


Chequered Flag :


Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel were the fastest in FP3 with Lewis Hamilton a close third.


An Early Lunch before heading down for the final Pit Lane Walk of the Day :


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

Shots of the GoPro Hero 5 Black from the Pit Lane Walk :

Sebastian Vettel's Car being readied for Qualifying ( Video Link ) :




It was then time for the Qualifying Session to commence.

Shots from Q1 :

Lewis Hamilton was fastest in Q1, Sebastian Vettel & Max Verstappen were P2 & P3 respectively.




Shots from Q2 :

Q2 saw Mercedes Flex their muscles and Lewis Hamilton dipped into the 1:42s and was fastest again. Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen completed the top 3.

Q3 was the top 10 shootout.

Shots from Q3 :

Lewis Hamilton took pole. Kimi Raikkonen had to back out of his flying lap due to a mistake and a tow to Sebastian Vettel helped him to snatch P2 from Valtteri Bottas!


The Top 3 parked on the Grid for the Post - Qualifying Interviews :

Top 3 Driver Interviews ( Video Link ) :




Vettel and Hamilton inspecting each others' machinery :


Marshalls fortunate to have their suits autographed by Vettel and Hamilton.

We were then joined by Antonio Giovinazzi, Reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team :

Antonio Giovinazzi Interview in the Ferrari F1 Club (  Video Link ) :




Sebastian Vettel visits the Ferrari F1 Club post Qualifying.

Sebastian Vettel Interview ( Video Link ) :




Vettel left and it was time for the start of the Formula 2 Feature Race!

Shots from the Feature Race :

Arjun Maini on the grid for Race 1 in GP3 :

GP3 Race 1 Formation Lap ( Video Link ) :




Formation Lap done for GP3 :


GP3 Race 1 Start ( Video Link  ) :





Shots from Race 1 :

Post race I walked down to the other end of the Paddock Club to experience the F1 Simulators on offer.

F1 Simulators in the Paddock Club :

Got a sneak peek of the Podium!

Williams Crew sitting and watching the movie on "Sir Frank Williams" and the team of yesteryear.


Returning to Hasselt from Spa :


Kimi Raikkonen's mistake in his final run in Qualifying cost him a chance to be on the Front Row. Arjun Maini also narrowly missed the podium in Race 1 in the evening. Barring these disappointments, it was a great Saturday at Spa Francorchamps! The Highlight for me was the Track Tour early in the morning.

A Big Thank you to Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team and their hosts for their hospitality throughout the day. Thank you to Edge Global Events for ensuring everything was in place for the Saturday.

Sunday Experience to follow soon..

Saturday, the day of Practice and Qualifying; also the day of Early Morning Starts!

I was in a rush to get to the circuit in order to be in time for the Paddock Club Truck Tour but was delayed at the circuit entrance thanks to the security checks.

I did have the opportunity to spend time in the pit lane and capture a lot of stills!

Photos Photos and more Photos from the Pit Lane Walk!

Romain Grosjean's Haas F1 being readied before FP3 ( Video Link ) :

Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari Systems Check ( Video Link ) :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Garage :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team practicing their Pit-Stops.

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Pit Stop Practice ( Video Link ) :

With Andy Stobart, Renault Sport F1 Head of Communications :

Mattia Binotto, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Chief Technical Officer :

Massimo Rivola, Head of Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy :

Some photos with the GoPro Hero 4 Black :

As we were being ushered back to the Paddock Club, the pitlane became abuzz with activity as the GP3 teams drove in before the start of their Qualifying session.

An Interactive Robot and Driver Cartoon Murals were the new things added to liven up the entrance to the paddock :

Kimi Raikkonen! BWOAH as ever!

Kevin Magnussen of Haas F1 Team :

Pascal Wehrlein of Sauber F1 Team :

Kai Ebel, RTL F1 Presenter :

Free Practice 3 was due to begin and Scuderia Ferrari F1 were kind enough to take me down to the Garage for a quick peek into their preparation and setups :

Shots from FP3 :

Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team in FP3 :

Returning to the pits after session is over :

Kimi Raikkonen topped FP3, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton & Valtteri Bottas were second, third and fourth respectively. It was looking promising for the Iceman!

The session ended and Ferrari's Reserve Driver Antonio Giovinazzi joined us in the Club for a quick Q&A :

Antonio Giovinazzi Interview in Ferrari F1 Club ( Video Link ) :

A Selfie with Antonio :

I was about to grab some lunch when I met the new owner of F1. Mr. Chase Carey of Liberty Media. He was so gracious and hospitable. I thanked him for freshening up the sport with his efforts and thanks to him we are back on the road to set many things right!

Mario Isola, Pirelli Sporting Director :

The Second Pit Lane Walk of the day; a lot more people and before the pivotal session of Qualifying!

Sergei Sirotkin, Renault Sport F1 Reserve Driver :

Karun Chandok, Ex F1 Driver, Channel 4 Presenter and a Williams Official Driver for Heritage Division :

Jock Clear, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Senior Performance Engineer :

Anthony Davidson, Ex F1 Driver, WEC Champion and Sky Sports F1 Presenter :

The Pit Lane Walk ended and it was time to head back to the Paddock Club have some lunch and prep up for Qualifying :

Qualifying commences, Q1 :

Dave Greenwood guiding Kimi Raikkonen out of the Garage for Q1 ( Video Link ) :

Chequered Flag :

Lewis Hamilton was fastest in Q1 with Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel 2nd and 3rd respectively. Pascal Wehrlein made it to Q2 and that was a positive for Sauber F1 Team.

Q2 :

Chequered Flag :

Lewis Hamilton remained the fastest holding off Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas. Fernando Alonso got the loudest cheers after his McLaren made it into Q3 and the Final Shoot-out.

Q3 begins :

Chequered Flag and the Cars return to Parc Ferme :

Lewis Hamilton took pole from Sebastian Vettel. Valtteri Bottas beat Kimi Raikkonen in the Battle of the Finns in P3. Not a bad place to start for the Iceman but he could have been on the front row.

Post Qualifying Kimi Raikkonen joined us for a quick Q&A in the Ferrari F1 Club :

Kimi Raikkonen Interview in the Ferrari F1 Club ( Video Link ) :

It was also time for the Formula 2 Feature Race to begin and most of the guests stayed back to enjoy watching the youngsters battle it out for supremacy!

Formation Lap - Formula 2 Feature Race ( Video Link ) :

Race Start - Formula 2 Feature Race ( Video Link ) :

Formula 2 Feature Race ( Video Link ) :

Prema Racing Pit Stop for Broken Front Wing - Formula 2 Feature Race ( Video Link ) :

Chequered Flag - Formula 2 Feature Race ( Video Link ) :

Photos from the Formula 2 Feature Race :

GP3 had Race 1 after the F2 Feature Race.

GP3 Race 1 ( Video Link ) :

Final set of Images before heading back to the Hotel for the evening :

It was a fantastic day at the 2017 Spanish Grand Prix. Kimi Raikkonen would start P4 for the race on Sunday and although he could have done better, I was positive about his performance on the day that mattered!

I was also fortunate enough to attend the McLaren F1 Gala Dinner at the Hilton in Barcelona on Saturday Evening; the Experience documented here :

http://tech-know-crat.posthaven.com/mclaren-f1-team-gala-dinner-at-the-hilton


I would like to thank Scuderia Ferrari F1 for the Hospitality and also to Edge Global F1 for ensuring that I had a fantastic Saturday at the Races.

Sunday Post to follow soon!