Dear Friends and Family,
On Sunday morning I woke up bright and early, even before my alarm went off at 530AM, to get an early start towards Silverstone to see my first ever grand prix in person. Since I was a child I have been fascinated with Formula 1 and to now see my first grand prix in person I simply could not wait.
As I arrived at Silverstone at around 630 the traffic was already building up. With my trusty British Racing Driver's Club pass in hand I headed towards the infield. With plenty of time on my hand before the Formula 1 cars hit the track I started mozying around to see what was going on around the circuit.
The helicopter terminal was in full swing and I was told that there were over 900 helicopter take off's and landing on race day.
Near the paddock a few interesting cars were parked up apparently with special access none the least of which was a Bugatti Veyron, the 1,001 Horse Power road car capable of over 200 miles per hour. The ultra fast Mercedes safety car paled in comparison.
Around 9AM some of the support races started to kick off along with an onslaught of rain which didn't slow down until after the final race had concluded. With rain tyres fitted the Formula BMW, Porsche Super Cup, and GP2 cars headed to the track. While I was certainly keen to watch the GP2 race the rain dampened by interest in the other support races. As the morning carried on the British racing fans began turning up in full force despite the poor conditions. By noon Silverstone was bursting at the gills with avid racing fans, many of which were sporting the bright red the British McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team and their national hero Lewis Hamilton.
Just after lunch time the steady drone of support race engines was shoved to the side as the crack of the first Formula 1 engines came to life. As the cars were sent out on their reconassiance lap I headed for what I was told was the best viewing spot in all of Silverstone. The section of the course I staked out as my own was just between the fast right hand Stowe curve where the cars would then blast through vale and then into the left, right chicane and then right bend of Club.
While I could not see the start from my position when the cars got to my parts of the track the feeling which came from the cars and the fans on their feet was absolutely sensational. You must keep in mind I have been at the race track literally my entire life and to feel this kind of buzz at the racing track (while not in a car) was something truly phenomenal!
As the race got under weigh the rain only got heavier which would certainly make things tricky for the drivers. From last season since the regulation changes mandated the removal of the cars traction control systems. Too much, or too fast application of the throttle and the cars would be facing backwards faster than the drivers could say "I hate the rain." The first driver to fall victim to the appauling conditions from my vantage point was Adrian Sutil whose Force India car came unstuck as he attempted to overtake another driver. His car eventually came to rest only a few meters from my position and I had a chance to watch (and laugh) as the poor corner marshals dragged, pulled, and shoved his multi-million dollar car out of the gravel. No sooner had this happened than the car naturally caught on fire which had to be extinguished with fire bottles.
As the race progressed a clear leader emerged in the form of local hero Lewis Hamilton and his silver and red McLaren Mercedes. All the other's potential winners had fallen to some sort of mishap including Ferrari's Felipe Massa who started spinning around 1pm and didn't seem to stop until around 2.30pm. Honda's token Brazilian, Rubens Barrichello, however was making the drive of his life as he took his Honda to the front and managed to maintain a podium position to the end of the race. As the race wound down Hamilton's lead increased to over a minute, an unhead of advantage in today's world of Formula 1. With five laps to go the jumbo tron's covering the race began to broadcast "It is an offence to invade the circuit." Clearly the organizers thought a Britain's win at Silverstone would bring the fans excitement to a climax that the circuit barriers simply would not be able to handle. They were right! As Hamilton crossed the finish line the fans around the circuit went hysterical. Some headed towards the fence, others ran towards the start/finish line to see the post race celebration.
After the race I got into my own mischief, but I am going to have to write about that another time. The past week has been a whirwind, I have visited with a number of Formula Ford, Formnula Renault, and F3 teams, been at PalmerSport, and I have moved. As soon as I have a chance I will get a few more posts up.
I hope you are all doing well and since yesterday is my brothers birthday I just want to wish him a special happy birthday from England!
Michael
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