Seeing as I have only recently stared up this blog and we are now on the summer break I thought I’d share and reflect on my fairly recent F1 experience – The British Grand Prix.
After going to my first Grand Prix at Silverstone last year, I thought that nothing would beat my first GP experience. The first time I heard a Formula 1 car, the first time I saw them fly past me, seeing the drivers in person or more like thinking ‘Ahh they really do exist!’
I was very wrong, this year’s blew last year well and truly out of the water, no, not quite literally.
Not only did i hear the sweet sound of Formula 1 car's roaring round the track and the new pit straight and paddock complex but experiencing the atmosphere over the weekend was incredible, despite the rain the weekend was ‘buzzing’ and everyone you met had a beam from ear to ear and displayed a kiddy-like excitement, slightly different from last year when most of us were melting over the weekend.
For the first time this season -in my opinion- the race had a very unpredictable sense of who would achieve, who wouldn't, what was the weather going to be like in 5 minutes let alone in a few hours, what effect will the new rule changes have on the teams, how will Daniel Ricciardo fair in his first Formula 1 Grand Prix after replacing Narain Karthikeyan at Hispania. From a fan perspective this all very thrilling!
All three day’s were packed out so everyone scrambled for the seat they longed for on Friday and Saturday. One of my favourite was Club corner, being able to see the drivers fighting their car’s around the last corner in FP1 was a good laugh with several off track adventures, one not-so-nice crash from Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi.
The racing was (and i believe always is if you are watching it live) fantastic to watch however this year i had an added extra to my Silverstone adventure: Marussia Virgin Racing weekend. A campsite set up and organised by the MVR team, and i may have already thanked them many times but i honestly couldn't thank them enough for helping make such a fun and entertainment filled weekend.
The MVR weekend included; lots of up and coming bands who were a lot better than my expectations, Jamie Oliver’s fabulous feasts, meet and greet the drivers and reserve drivers as well as all the team, DJ set's going on long into the night -expect little sleep over a GP weekend- in particular Marussia Virgin's own reserve driver DJ Sakon Yamamoto, games and competitions, re-runs of the day's action on the big screen, movie's- Cars 2 and Senna, all mixed with meeting lot's of friendly fans.
I have to admit Friday evening was one of the highlight’s… possibly of my life.
All four drivers (Main drivers: Timo Glock, Jerome D’Ambrosio. Reserve drivers: Sakon Yamamoto and Robert Wickens) took part in a Q&A session on stage, a few gags and fan questions later they came off stage to meet and greet, all four were polite and lovely! Followed by bands and drinks later Saturday had rolled around and it was time for FP3 and Qualifying.
Saturday saw Mark Webber take pole for the second year in a row with Sebastian Vettel 2nd and Fernando Alonso in 3rd. For the Brits it was swings and roundabouts or tyres and down force so to speak, Jenson Button pulled up to the grid in a satisfactory 5th, while Paul di Resta impressed in 6th however Lewis Hamilton started in a disappointing 10th.
The support on Sunday was still positive will every McLaren fan looking forward to what both Button and Hamilton could do to make us all cheer with happiness.
Lucky for me I was on the new international pit straight for the race so after celeb spotting on the grid (including Prince Harry) it was time to get down to business.
Lining back up on the grid after the installation lap I could feel the tension growing and I was starting to feel nervous but very excited
I’d recall the race for you but you already know what happened. The atmosphere went from silent nerves to roaring encouragement every time Hamilton and Button (till his retirement) went past, with the occasional Ferrari and Red Bull fans leaping up of their seat every so often.
The last lap was magical, watching the moment when Felipe and Lewis battled it out till the very last second; I’ve never felt so many emotions and nerves. Although McLaren weren’t on the podium 4th was still better then 5th and made Button’s retirement that bit easier.
Champagne sprayed with Alonso getting his championship underway, winning his first race of the 2011 season followed by Vettel in 2nd and Webber in 3rd for RBR.
One of the highlights for me was seeing the swarm of fans running on to the track just as the podium was wrapping up. My reaction was “Look, look! That is something special, let’s join them!” this lasted all of about 2 minutes when they guy minding our grandstand said no more people were allowed to climb under the scaffolding. I waited eagerly and he turned round to me about 5 minutes later and said walk round to the gate that’s open. Nothing like making me think I’d not get on the track!! Needless to say I literally ran to the gate, my one goal/wish was to get on the track and I was able to.
I felt like a 5 year old at Christmas I was that excited, an hour’s walk later, both my camera’s dying on me and with a handful of marbles I went to check out the after party. I wasn’t in the midst of it it but I had a good view of the stage and got to see a fair few drivers as well as iconic faces such as Jackie Stewart.
After the day’s activities, back at MVR weekend they showed ‘SENNA’ on the big screen. I’d go on about how amazing it was but to be honest it was far, far more than that, it was emotional to say the very least, and no words justify how brilliant it is, he was a great man off the track and he was one, if not the best driver’s. He’ll always live on.
To sum up this post, Silverstone was the best weekend and I advise if you haven’t already that you get yourself to a Grand Prix, you’ll love every second of it, promise!
All again next year?!
In Pictures:
To check out more of my photo's from the weekend...
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