Another year, another Australian GP, it seems to come around quicker with every year.
As I start to write this blog it is hard to start without mentioning first, the passing of Charlie Whiting (FIA Race Director) over the race weekend, it came as a huge shock, and will be a huge loss to F1 and all involved within the sport, thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Below; Driver, team personal and FIA personal pay their respects to Charlie Whiting.
As I am a full-time, stay at home dad, looking after my 7, 5 and 3yr old (for the past 3yrs), dusting the gear down and preparing the weekend gets harder, I miss it, miss it a lot, not just covering the Grand Prix but photography in general, I miss getting out there, trying to work out what image works, where and how to shoot, and with what. I miss not being able to be creative, over time I think I lose a little of my creative thinking, but as someone recently told me, your creativity is in your head, somewhere, not lost, just misplaced.
They were right.
It took me a couple of days to get back in to the groove, probably didn’t help using the new Nikon Flagship camera from NPS, The new D5, a baptism of fire. Using it on the Friday I definitely had a few issues, couldn’t work out why, but was not happy with the auto focus, tried a few things but to no avail. With these issues, self-doubt, confidence or lack of, creeps in. The next day I explained to the guy’s at NPS, the issues I had, of which they could not explain either. I asked for a different D5, set it up how I wanted and hey presto different altogether, Not quite sure what the problem was with the other D5, but what a difference this one was. May I say, coupled with the New Nikon 180-400mm (With built in converter), this is a combo I could get very used to indeed, although the cost of the two could be a bit of an issue.
With some sort of normality back I was feeling a lot better, ready for whatever the next two days could throw at me. In regards to the weekend, all good, Lewis being his elusive self, every man and his dog wanting selfie’s with their favourite drivers and security guards on one long ego trip. It is always good catching up with old friends, but just as good making a few new ones.
The weather was great all weekend, although a bit of rain would have spiced things up a bit. Would like to be able to say see you all again in Singapore but like I said earlier just need the finances or clients on board. Hard being based here in Australia but China, Japan, Singapore and Abu Dhabi could be done and you never rule out some of the others.
I would like to end this by saying a big thank you to the guys at NPS (Nikon Professional Services) for all their help.
Ok. Not my image but a shared one. After being so elusive for three days Lewis wanted to have a photo taken with all of us after he secured pole position on Saturday, I am on the front, right with the blue hat.
Lewis's quote on his instagram post which accompanied the image;
I took this picture after qualifying with all the photographers that have photographed me for the last 12 years. I just wanted to take this moment with them as life is precious and can sometimes fly by. I know I’m not always easy to work with photo wise but I do appreciate you guys, thank you.
Above; Fans lining Melbourne walk, waiting for their heroes.
Above; Ferrari new boy meeting the fans, while Kevin Magnussen signs a fans portrait of himself, no comment on the painting....
Above; Daniel Ricciardo the hometown favourite.
Above; Camera's everywhere you go....
Above; A very relaxed and amiable Sebastian Vettel arriving at the circuit.
Above; Having a quiet moment...
Above; Never a dull moment on Melbourne Walk for Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenburg of the Renault F1 Racing Team.
Above; In my mind one of the nicest looking cars on the grid in 2019.
Above; Race Day, Lewis waving to the Melbourne crowd.
Above; Hometown favourite, Daniel Ricciardo.
Above; Lewis Hamilton leaving his pit garage during FP3.
Above; Max Verstappen breaking into the sunlight during FP3.
Above; Curves, lines and carbon fibre, Lewis being pushed back into his garage during FP3.
Above; Sebastian Vettel in the scarlet Ferrari.
Above; Lewis and his Mercedes.
Above; Kimi Raikkonen in his Alfa Romeo.
Above; Lewis Hamilton chasing down Bottas, but to no avail.
Above; Daniel Ricciardo during qualifying.
Above; All weekend we have seen a very focused and determined Valteri Bottas.
Above; Sebastien Vettel outside his garage and a Ferrari mechanic waiting for Vettel to return to the garage during FP3.
Above; Daniel Ricciardo in his Renault.
Above; Sebastian Vettel during the race.
Above; Charles Leclerc on a flying lap during qualifying.
Above; Lewis Hamilton practising his start and in his pit garage.
Above; Lewis exiting turn 2 during the race.
Above; Valteri Bottas exiting his car at the end of FP3.
Above; Lewis after qualifying on pole with a blistering lap.
Above; The scuderia Ferrari's exiting turn 2 during the race.
Above; Lewis and Valteri chatting after securing the front row on the grid for Sundays race.
Above; Sitting pretty after securing Pole position.
Race Winner, Valteri Bottas plus winner of the fastest lap.
Above;
1st Place - Valteri Bottas
2nd Place - Lewis Hamilton
3rd Place - Max Verstappen
Above; Lewis on the podium after being beaten by a determined and focused Valteri.