Thursday 12th March has arrived, day one, for me anyway, of the 2015 Rolex Formula One Grand Prix. Found the hotel where I had to pick up my accreditation but alas, even though the media centre was open from Wednesday, my documents were still not ready, minor setback, they finally arrived, my colleagues (Milos’s) also, although Milos would not be able to pick them up until late Saturday night.

Above; Free Practice One, the sun is out, Lewis out on track with the city of Melbourne as the backdrop.

Finally on the way to Albert Park, I seemed to have done more laps up and down Fitzroy Rd than most of the cars will on track day, due to some roads being closed, It was a shame I could not able to type in Gate 10 into my Sat Nav, as that was the entrance I was told to go to. In the end Gate 1 will do and it remained so for the next three days, might I say, it was a lot easier to get into this entrance plus straight to the media parking. As you will be able to tell, even though I have lived here since July, my knowledge of the City streets remain very limited.

I finally get my desk, my locker, and start settling down for the duration, now, the timetable of events, not a great deal happening today but was a good day to familiarize myself with the layout, times etc as this was my first Australian GP, I did not want to miss out on anything image wise.

Thursday was mainly paddock and driver day, the obligatory driver profile shots which seemed to go on forever, you would think it would be simple to organize but as you guessed, no, but it was nice just sitting down in the sun. The day was also good catching up with the UK permanent F1 pass holders whom I have not seen for a long while and hold a lot of respect for, they have a busy year ahead of them with 19 races to cover, with some covering Le Mans and all of the FIA-WEC (World Endurance Championship) it shall be one busy year.

Above; One of my favourite drivers from the late 90’s, Jacques Villeneuve and of course, Lewis Hamilton.

Above; A photographer taking the opportunity to capture an image of Jenson Button’s helmet.

Above; Sebastian Vettel signing autographs for the eagerly awaiting fans.

Friday 13th, ominous for some but the day where the speculation ends and the 2015 season starts, the drivers all arrive and take their walk down the Melbourne walk signing autographs, meeting all of their fans and of course taking the odd selfie or two.

Above; Valtteri Bottas of Williams Martini F1 Team signing autographs.

Above; Susie Wolff of Williams Martini F1 Team was a massive hit down Melbourne walk, and she did not disappoint.

Above; One of the Rolex girls.

Above; For this weekend, Daniel Ricciardo was a wanted man and he tried his best to please.

Above; Lewis Hamilton having one of many ‘selfies’ from his adoring fans.

FP1;

1 – Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team F1W06 1:29.557

2 – Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team F1W06 1:29.586

3 – Valtteri Bottas Williams Martini Racing Mercedes FW37 1:30.748

As you can see Mercedes started where they finished off last year, dominant with all of the others looking at playing catch up, Red Bull seemed to be having trouble, again with their Renault Engines and Sauber were having major court issues but I shall not go into all of the details as this blog is just about myself and my images

The same two occupied the first two places in in FP2 with Sebastian Vettel breaking up the pairing in FP3, qualifying it was Hamilton, Rosberg and Massa.

Above; After qualifying, Pole sitters;
Pole; Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.

2nd; Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.
3rd; Felipe Massa, Williams Martini F1 Team.

Above; Lewis after getting Pole position.

Saturday was, I thought, hard for me as I felt I was coming down with something, lots of coffee and water and I seemed to be ok, but alas come Sunday morning, the day of the race and another long day I seemed to take a turn for the worse.

I was hoping for a cooler day, like the weather people predicted but it was a glorious sunny day, I should not moan but when you are not 100 % I really did not need this.

As it happens by 11 0’ clock I was half way through a strip of Strepsils, and on my 8th long Macchiatto I would either be going round the track quicker than Lewis or I would crash and burn, I crashed and burned.

As all of the celebrities started to arrive for the big day there was only one I really needed, or dare I say, wanted, and that was my childhood hero Arnold Schwarzenegger, it was great to see him, I was standing right next to him almost rubbing shoulders, I really wanted to shake his hand but alas, professionalism got the better of me.

Above; The great, and my childhood hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Above; Could not resist taking this of the RAAF F/A18 jet doing his display for the crowds.

Above; class of 2015.

Arnold Schwarzeneggerwas later on the podium doing the after race podium questions. All in all I had a great time met some friendly and great people, a well deserved thank you has to go to all of the volunteers and marshall’s who all did a sterling job, the actual race was not much to shout about with 11 finishers and as predicted a one, two finish for the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, with Lewis taking the win, Rosberg second and a very elated Sebastian Vettel in the Scuderia Ferrari taking third.

Above; One of my favourite images, Romain Grosjean of Lotus F1 Team peeking out of the shadows.

Above; Carlos Sainz Jnr of Scuderia Toro Rosso near the wall.

Above; Romain Grosjean of Lotus F1 Team.

Above; The dominant Lewis Hamilton of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.

Above; Sergio Perez of the Sahara Force India F1 Team.

Above; Carlos Sainz Jnr of Scuderia Toro Rosso going wide and kicking up some dust.

After editing all of my images, sent them off and packed all of my kit I said my goodbyes to the togs who were either heading back to the UK for a break or heading to Thailand for a short while before heading to the next race in Malaysia, oh how I was I envious.

Although the whole four days went well I was very annoyed with the FIA media guy, not going to mention his name but one of my colleagues from Sydney could not get down until Saturday evening, his pass was ready and waiting for him, the media centre closed at 3pm so all we requested is that I could pick his pass up for him, numerous e-mails later he never replied to any of them, I could not meet with him, and his colleagues, one of which was the communications manager ( I know, don’t laugh) were not forth coming with help either, ie not returning e-mails etc. In the end Milos thought it better not travel down which was a real shame.

Below are more images from race day.

Above; Sergio Perez of the Sahara Force India F1 Team exiting the pits.

Above; On his way to victory, Lewis Hamilton of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.

Above; Nico Rosberg of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.

Above; The great, and my childhood hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger with the race winner, Lewis Hamilton.

Above; An elated Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari on the podium for his third place finish.

Above; A jubilant Lewis Hamilton.

Above; An elated Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari on the podium for his third place finish.

Above; A jubilant Lewis Hamilton.

This would be my penultimate job down here in Australia, unless something turns up in the next few days, I have one mor ICC Cricket World Cup game, the Final at the MCG then that is it, finished. Looks like it will have to be time to get a regular job, sad, but that is the way it goes, I shall miss it but you have to know when to call it a day.
I have tried but to no avail, credits and by lines do not pay the bills.

Let’s hope something turns up, forever hopeful………….