my Williams F1 British GP race day experience

[Brakebuster]

Hi

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Williams F1 conference centre for the British F1 GP this year, if you remember i went to the actual GP last year with the same people

The day started with being picked up at home and driven to the venue in a Union Jack Mini

I was expecting rain that day ( like most ) but was pleasantly surprised with the good weather, but i had forgot my sunglasses, but no worries, as i knew i would be inside all day at the venue , a pleasant hour drive saw us at the Williams conference centre

IMG_1681 by MyPix on Talk Photography

reception in its self was amazing, with a static Massa current F1 car on display , with another older car suspended from the roof

IMG_1626 by MyPix on Talk Photography


IMG_1630 by MyPix on Talk Photography

on signing in i was presented with a Williams lanyard and some bumf for the day , and shown into the breakfast area where fresh coffee and tea with some patisserie , help yourself buffet . looking around i was presented with the conference room all fitted out for the day

IMG_1624 by MyPix on Talk Photography

triple screens and a fully setup restaurant for about 100 people, with rows of seats at the front for the guest speaker ,
IMG_1677 by MyPix on Talk Photography

with just over an hour to kill before the speaker we were invited to tour the museum and trophy room etc, and while doing so we could enter the sweep stake for the day naming the top six finishers for the GP , and also have a go on the two challenges for the day , a speed trial on the wheel changing machine that the crews practice on , and also a genuine simulator ( two actually ) for the best time of the day , which prizes were awarded at the end of the day

i chose to spectate rather than participate and had a good wander round,

IMG_1650 by MyPix on Talk Photographythe trophy room was very impressive, getting close to all those actual trophies you see on the podiums , just a sample below,

IMG_1633 by MyPix on Talk Photography


IMG_1632 by MyPix on Talk Photography

and then to the walk of fame , where all the past and present drivers for Williams are displayed, its amazing how many of the well known ones have driven for them

BB

[Brakebuster]

IMG_1628 by MyPix on Talk Photography

there were also some very interesting static displays of engines and suspension ,

IMG_1638 by MyPix on Talk Photography

and a very impressive display of the drivers survival cell and the bodywork that would be built over it

IMG_1640 by MyPix on Talk Photography


IMG_1639 by MyPix on Talk Photography

IMG_1676 by MyPix on Talk Photography

then it was time for the guest speaker , i forget his name now, but he was the premier aero designer of his era for Williams and several of the other smaller teams , and is now retired , there was a lot of genuine insight into the sport and some very funny ' inside' stories about teams and some drivers , the floor was opened to questions of which there were some good ones

and then a surprise call from Bottas over the phone ( and speakers ) an hour before the race , he seemed relaxed and up for it, which proved to be the case a little while later

after the speaker, and before lunch we were given some more free time to wander, i chose to go to the ' shop ' and buy some bits and bobs, luckily they had a sale on , lol , so my money went even further,
Genuine Williams caps for a fiver.......£30 at the GP , i got a Bottas t-shirt for a fiver as well , and some spare lanyards for a quid each , i was tempted by a titanium exhaust with race pedigree , but even at only £125 , i didn't have anywhere to put it , lol

then onto the museum , WOW , FANTASTIC , i will let the pictures tell the story

IMG_1652 by MyPix on Talk Photography

IMG_1653 by MyPix on Talk Photography

IMG_1655 by MyPix on Talk Photography

IMG_1660 by MyPix on Talk Photography

IMG_1664 by MyPix on Talk Photography

IMG_1659 by MyPix on Talk Photography

Thats me, i collared a guide to take my pic, lol

IMG_1673 by MyPix on Talk Photography

IMG_1670 by MyPix on Talk Photography

This is the actual car Mansell ' lost ' the world championship in 89 ? when he has the hight speed blow out in Oz

IMG_1667 by MyPix on Talk Photography

and here is his helmet on the day

IMG_1649 by MyPix on Talk Photography

they seem to have kept all the drivers helmets , not like these days

IMG_1644 by MyPix on Talk Photography

as you can imagine, i have hundreds more, so won't bore you with any more, but you get the idea , lol

Then it was back to the conference room for lunch and then the start of the race , the bar was now open and a great afternoon followed watching the Williams come through the pack and then getting a british driver winning the GP

BB

[steve_m]

Jammy git!
Looks like a great day out, thanks for sharing.

[GordonJ]

I'll second that, and some nice pictures.

Gordon

[BigCatXJS]

Williams is one of my Clients and I've never been invited!!!

Nice pics.