I showed my pass to the security guard and he let me in, that in itself put me on a very high note. After heading under the track towards the interior of the circuit, there I was, walking through a corridor lined with spectacular hospitality motorhomes.
Two impressive cargo trucks were on either side of me and before I knew it I was pulling into the Force India garage. For a newbie to the paddock, this was complete sensory overload.
The first thing I saw to my right was a group of engineers looking at a myriad of screens containing technical data and telemetry. Moving on, there were rows of Skullcandy-branded headphones, each with a name underneath. To add to my enthusiasm, they gave me a spare pair. I put them over my ears and was in the thick of it.
Both Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Pérez were on track for Free Practice 1 when I entered the viewing area. I looked up to see the lap times displayed on the screens and at this point I was a little dizzy with all the fuss but I tried to stay as composed as possible. The sheer volume of selfies I was sneakily trying to take was getting a bit ridiculous, I’ll admit. The hustle and bustle was exciting. Engineers were running from one side of the garage to the other loading cars with tires and the action I could hear between the drivers and the pit wall on my headphones was something else.
The garage was beautiful, every corner gleaming. From the Hype Energy drink cooler in the display area to the gleaming white shelves that hold the various laptops and technical equipment, display cases for the drivers’ helmets when they’re not on the track. There wasn’t an aspect of that room that wasn’t impressive and enough for any aspiring pilot, engineer, mechanic, etc. of Formula 1 had a surge of inspiration.
Watching the action on TV, I’ve always assumed that during a race weekend the team must be manic, stressed and panicked. I was completely wrong, the calm and professional feeling was impressive and really showed the feeling of aerodynamic perfection in Formula 1. Everyone knew what they were doing and everyone did their job to the best of their ability.
Watching the action from the back of the garage was a strange vantage point, one I had never been aware of before. No Sky Sports F1 coverage, no BBC Sport coverage, just good old fashioned lap times shown on the screens – that’s all you really need to practice after all. It was getting all the information from my headset, something I’m not used to when watching F1 coverage, and I can assure you it didn’t make it any less exciting. If anything, he was more alert than he normally would be. Not being able to see exactly where the cars were on the track made my concentration on the drivers’ comments even more intense and interesting when they were receiving instructions from the team.
Free practice was over and both drivers took the cars to the garage. The engines are truly works of art, years and years of hard work has gone into making those cars what they are today and there they were shining in front of me. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably watched countless motoring documentaries with movies like Senna and Rush being a staple in your home. If that’s correct, you’ve probably seen endless videos of various drivers unbuckling their seatbelts, standing up, getting out of their cars, and removing their helmets and balaclavas. This is always a classic and somewhat emotional scene, and there were two Formula 1 drivers right in front of me doing this move. Something that put a lump right in the back of my throat.
With the action underway over, I decided to go check out the Force India Hospitality motorhome. Each table, stool, glass coasters, etc. it was perfect, the colors were completely on brand and it just screamed luxury.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I went out to explore the meadow in the blazing heat. I was walking past faces I see every weekend, I knew them so well and I felt like they should know me! I knew my way around the paddock after seeing the TV coverage in years past. He knew this place very well, but it was the first time he had been there; Such an unusual feeling, I suppose it would be like going to explore the set of one of your favorite movies that you have seen again.
I went up the stairs and people like Mario Arrivabene walked past me, Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and many more. Complete Formula 1 legends and celebrities who are only at their workplace to continue their work.
You know that fluffy feeling you get before you go to a job interview, or you run into an old friend you haven’t seen in years, or you have to go on stage and give a presentation or present an award. I had that feeling locked in my stomach for about 4 hours, I just couldn’t make it go away. My hands were shaking as I tried to keep steady while taking pictures and still tried to stay inconspicuous.
Sahara Force India is a wonderful Formula 1 team, generous. I was very lucky to have this opportunity to share the experience with as many people as possible. I have now gained so many wonderfully embarrassing memories of this experience, including, awkwardly stumbling out of the bathroom stalls and nearly walking straight into Fernando Alonso, with the “Oh my gosh, I’m actually standing in the paddock!” a phone call with my mom to find Bernie Ecclestone behind me and hours of deliberation deciding what to wear (I didn’t think it would be appropriate to show up in all my fan gear!).
One thing is for sure, this world is awesome. It is a world that will always be a part of me.
Have you ever been in the Formula 1 paddock? Email your stories to [email protected].
