2023 Aus GP Feature Reflection: My Adventure in the F1 Paddock.

2023 Aus GP Feature Reflection – Going back into the Formula 1 Paddock at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix after a three-year hiatus amid all the cancellations from COVID and then unable to get to last year’s event was a huge privilege once again and in this feature article, I take you through what life is like in the sport’s most luxurious place at the circuit.

The Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2023 Paddock, Albert Park Street Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image taken by myself. 2023 Aus GP Feature Reflection, Australian GP Paddock, Formula 1 Paddock Melbourne.

Firstly, what is the Formula 1 Paddock?

A vibrant Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019 Paddock, Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image taken by myself. 2023 Aus GP Reflection. Formula 1 Paddock Melbourne.

Located behind the pits, the Formula One Paddock is such a very vibrant and special working place which is strictly limited to the drivers, teams, famous names, sponsors, circuit promoters, media, special guests and where employees of F1 and the FIA gather for the Grand Prix weekend.

Getting passes into the Formula One Paddock is very hard and strictly limited, but you can get that special opportunity through F1 Experiences, the teams with their hospitality tickets as one of their possible benefits or part of a Scuderia Ferrari Club based overseas like in Australia, United Kingdom, Hungary, United States etc.

Although the layout of the Formula One Paddock is very different at each circuit, it always comprises an area adjacent to the garages for each team. In the garages, the engineering staff and mechanics work on their cars to prepare them for the Grand Prix weekend and new tyres can be stored, also the paddock features a hospitality area for staff, sponsors and invited guests.

As all the teams transport their equipment via road for the European part of the season, the Formula One Paddock is often full of large truck trailers, which get converted into engineering bases, hospitality suites and tyre storage bases.

Many of the teams invest heavily in large multi-level hospitality suites that look absolutely amazing, especially considering that they’re dismantled as soon as the Grand Prix weekend is over and transported to the next location. For “flyaway races” in Melbourne’s case, the equipment travels by sea and air.

Other common features in the Formula One Paddock around the world includes a “Media Pen”, where the drivers and Team Principals speak to TV and Print Media at various times across the Formula 1 race weekend, as well as an area where used tyres are removed and replaced for the teams by the sport’s official tyre supplier, Pirelli.

My Reflection

On Friday morning of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix weekend, the day when Formula 1 hit the Albert Park Circuit for the first time for its Free Practice 1 and 2 sessions, I got the honour and privilege to return into the Formula One Paddock again with my great friend George Darwent, one of the most passionate F1 fans I’ve ever known, an absolutely spectacular F1 photographer and owner of his amazing F1 Memorabilia store, On The Edge Motorsport, definitely checkout and purchase the memorabilia of your favourite drivers and teams from George now!

Scanning your ticket as you go through the Formula 1 Paddock gates always gives you the biggest smile knowing what you are about to experience in there and walking up and down through the Australian GP F1 Paddock gives you such a special feeling.

A selfie with an absolute inspirational F1 Journalist in Will Buxton. Image taken by myself. 2023 Aus GP Reflection, F1 Paddock Melbourne, Aus GP Paddock.

As we were waiting for the F1 drivers to come in, I finally got the honour and privilege to meet my most favourite Formula One Journalist in Will Buxton, the legend who inspired me to make my Formula One Website “TermiOnTrack”.

We spoke of his time passion for the sport he loves in Formula One, how much he likes Melbourne, how my website is growing and progressing and more.

Will definitely one of the most-nicest, supportive and hardworking that you will ever meet. I wish him all the best with everything he does and he will continue to do wonders.

A selfie with good friend from Scuderia Ferrari in Alessandro Fazio., Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2023 Paddock, Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image taken by myself. 2023 Aus GP Reflection, F1 Paddock Melbourne.

Next in my paddock adventure, I finally caught up with my good friend Alessandro Fazio, part of the security team at Scuderia Ferrari.

We caught up on so much since last time we saw each other in 2020 before the race was cancelled. Always a pleasure to chat with. Definitely say hello to him as you are going by the entrance to the Scuderia Ferrari garage and have a good chat when you see him in the paddock!

A selfie with Alexander Albon, #23, Williams Racing-Mercedes, FW45. Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2023 Paddock, Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image taken by myself. 2023 Aus GP Reflection, F1 Paddock Melbourne.

Then after another walk around the paddock soaking in that amazing vibe and atmosphere, I saw Williams Racing’s Alexander Albon coming in and got to have a selfie with the great man.

Albon is one of the most-friendliest drivers you could ever chat to and always gives time to his fans. I do hope he can push Williams as further up the field as much he can.

A photo with Carlos Sainz, #55, Scuderia Ferrari, SF-23. Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2023 Paddock, Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image credit to George Darwent. 2023 Aus GP Reflection, F1 Paddock Melbourne.

After a while, finally Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz came in and the opportunity to get an updated photo and chat with him came.

He was in a hurry, but we got to have a quick conversation as he was late to a briefing with the team. Always great to see and talk to Carlos.

He was punished harshly with that penalty he received in the race on Sunday, which was basically the same racing incident as the opening lap with Charles and Lance. I wish Carlos all the very best in Baku and for the rest of the season and hope he fights back stronger.

A photo with Charles Leclerc, #16, Scuderia Ferrari, SF-23. Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2023 Paddock, Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image credit to George Darwent. 2023 Aus GP Reflection, F1 Paddock Melbourne.

Shortly afterwards, the day officially was made when Charles Leclerc entered the Formula 1 Paddock, we finally had a great chat and photo again.

It always is a great joy to catch up with Charles, he is clearly one of the most amazing drivers you could ever chat to and loves all the fans and gives them all the time he can.

Here’s hoping Charles bounces back hard at next weekend’s Azerbaijan GP in Baku, the first F1 Sprint format of six Grands Prix this season and also the team push him back fighting at the front.

A selfie with reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo, #3, Oracle Red Bull Racing-Honda-RBPT, RB19. Image taken by myself. Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2023 Paddock. Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image taken by myself. 2023 Aus GP Reflection, F1 Paddock Melbourne, Aus GP Paddock Melbourne.

Next, you could not be in the Australian Grand Prix Formula 1 Paddock without catching up with now Red Bull reserve Daniel Ricciardo, his famous trademark grin always puts a smile on your face.

The great man I hope will be back on the Formula One grid in 2024 and we look forward to seeing which possible team he ends up racing for.

A photo with Fernando Alonso, #14, Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team-Mercedes, AMR23. Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2023 Paddock, Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image credit to George Darwent. 2023 Aus GP Reflection, F1 Paddock Melbourne.

Finally, the last driver I got to catch up with was none other than legendary two-time World Champion driving for Aston Martin in Fernando Alonso.

Alonso always is an inspiration for many, his supreme talent and driving style excites so many fans.

I hope the Silverstone based-squad continue to upgrade and build a stronger, competitive car to try and allow him to challenge the Red Bull’s for victory. Could he score a potential first victory on the streets of Baku and for the first time since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix? We will see!

After meeting and catching up with everyone I wanted to in the Formula One Paddock at Albert Park, my time in there came to an end.

Overall, it was one of the most fun times I’ve ever had in the Formula One Paddock and I have been in there a good fair few times since 2016. Experiencing what not many in the world have the luxury and opportunity to do so, I will always cherish for the rest of my life.

I have made solid friends and connections in the sport of Formula One because of my experiences and it helps me greatly with my Formula One writing and many more exciting articles and features will be coming soon to my website TermiOnTrack, so stay tuned for those!

All I can say is, your time will come when you finally get to experience what I have in the Formula One Paddock. Keep working hard, believe in yourself and make strong connections in the sport. It is such a massive honour to experience.

@Max33Verstappen takes victory in drama-filled #AustralianGP. #F1 #AusGP