Been there, done that !

I realised a long standing dream, last weekend... I was at the 2007 Formula-1 French Grand Prix !!

I started watching Formula-1 in 1998, when Mika Hakkinen was standing at the top of the podium every other Sunday afternoon. Of course, McLaren runs in my blood, and i cant stand the Tifosi. Nor can i stand Michael Schumacher (just laying to rest any doubts). Yes, it broke my heart to see Kimi Raikkonen leave the silver team, and put on the scarlet red :-(

Anyway, getting back to the race this weekend. I had planned it well in advance, and had booked the Grandstand ticket in February, and a hotel room, and train tickets... all organised. Off i went on friday 29th, early in the morning. I arrived at Nevers at 11am, and went straight to the circuit. Even as i entered the stands to take my seat, i heard the revving of those magnificent machines in the pit garages, and i knew how my weekend is going to turn out !

Friday :
2nd practice session for F1
Practice session, GP2
Practice session, Porsche Super Cup

Saturday :
3rd practice session for F1
Qualifying, GP2
Qualifying, F1
And a nice little cameo appearance by Schumi and Zidane, for a charity event.

Now, i paid through my nose (and every other conceivable orifice) to buy the best seat in the house, across the pit straight, and the start finish line... So for 3 days, i got to watch all the stars walk in and out of the paddock club, all the team bosses like Ron Dennis, Jean Todt and Flavio Briatore... totally worth it !

Sunday was the real big day... awesome race, except the result was not what i would have ideally liked to see. But hey, i guess the entire weekend was an experience, and it would be an understatement to say "a great one"... it was completely awesome !

Will put up pictures soon, and add the link to this page... keep coming back !


Note :
I have to mention this... because i found it wierd. Before the race, the French National Anthem was played. For some reason, i seemed to respect it more than the Frenchmen around me. I stood up, and i kept quiet while it played. (come on, it is my adopted home for the time being). The French didnt seem to care !! Also, when it ended, they clapped !! It was all a bit new to me, because as far as i know, we dont clap for the Anthem in India... isn't that considered disrespectful?? Well... i'm not saying it's wrong... it's different, which is the only reason i noticed!