Sunday 3rd September – F1 Grand Prix, Monza

From our fantastic flat it was just a short walk to join the throngs walking towards the race circuit.  We could get access from 9am but knowing where to head to get the optimal viewpoint for the race was a totally different thing altogether. I was in Simon’s hands.  There was no way I was risking making a decision that may take us in a wrong direction! We walked miles (as evidenced by my Fitbit) visiting various corners of the circuit as we had access to any grassy area around the track instead of having allocated seating in a grandstand. They were all out of bounds for us.  At one point we made a disastrous decision which led us out of the grounds of the circuit completely!  Obviously, we did not realise our error until we turned to follow our tracks back and ended up queuing with the masses for the second time that day to have our bags searched and gain entry!  The other challenge at Monza is that the circuit is surrounded by pretty woodland, some of which is too overgrown to get through.  We tried a few shortcuts but were turned back to our increasing frustration.

About midday, after three hours traipsing around, we found a gap on a section of fence by the second chicane.  Simon concluded that this was sufficient for his expectations as it was at the start of a braking area giving us slightly longer to see the cars as they would be travelling very slightly more slowly!   

Above, Sebastian Vettel; below, Daniel Ricciardo

We timed it to be able to see the drivers lap when they were carried around in antique race cars (above) as well as the fly over by the Frecce Tricolore (Italy’s version of the red arrows). 

The race started and, as expected, attempts to photograph the cars as they came past resulted in some blurry objects that just about pass for race cars (see below!). It wasn’t the most exciting F1 race ever, but that meant a very comfortable win for Lewis Hamilton who led from Pole position for the whole race.  

We walked down the track afterwards along with the hoards, taking photos as we went, including at the first chicane, as well as the start/finish line and the grid slots.

The masses walking the circuit to the start/finish line

Me posing by the first chicane and, below, us on the start line (plus others!)

 

Reaching the pit lane, we decided to wait for Lewis Hamilton to appear.  And wait we did.  An hour and a half later he did come and see the small group of fans who had refused to leave, spending time signing autographs and taking pictures with as many as he could.  He was in high spirits after his win and he came across as a more approachable, less miserable sports superstar than I thought!  It was great practise using my new camera in ‘paparazzi’ mode, or multi-burst.  Si used his height advantage to get some great pics.

 

Food and drink naturally being overpriced for the event (8 Euros a beer!) we returned to our lodgings and stocked up on pasta and pesto and our own supply of alcoholic drinks to recover from our exertions.  Simon was delighted to have had the opportunity to attend the race in person and I am happy that he now can’t tell me that I ruined his European holiday by refusing to travel to Italy for the F1!