F1 pit lane walk and track ride

Today was the first day of our F1 experience. We had bought the ticket package from a London-based company called F1 Experiences months ago. Because we were travelling before arriving in Baku, we chose to have our package waiting for us here. That was our number one task today, to get to the Marriott Hotel to pick up the package.

We decided to meander down there. It was about an hourlong walk, but we took our time and even stopped for coffee at a Second Cup. Yes! The Canadian chain is here! We picked up our credentials and proceeded through the gates to explore the F1 area including the booths with merchandise for sale. That was quite the shock. Both caps and T-shirts are $150 Azerbaijan which converted is about $121 Canadian. Each. For a cap or a T-shirt. We took a hard pass.

We had time to relax a bit before gathering with other F1 Experience clients for a pit lane walk as well as a ride on the track on a flatbed. At the gates, awaiting to enter, there were plenty of drivers and team members exiting. Brad had walked ahead of me, and as I turned the corner, there was Max Verstappen immediately in front of me hopping into a car. It happened so quickly I had no time to react.

We then saw a number of other F1 notables: Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz Jr., Esteban Ocon, Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto, team principal for Williams, James Vowles, and Carlo Sainz cousin who is his manager.

Once inside, we were free to roam the pit lanes and observe the teams working on the cars. There is a hard stop for working on the cars at 6:30 p.m. They call it a curfew and all cars must be covered with no more tinkering. We were then led to a flatbed truck and rode the course with commentary from a former driver and an up-and-coming woman driver. Such fun! Brad hasn’t stopped beaming.

We’ve already met a few people who have purchased the same package and expect we’ll see a lot of them over the next three days.Read more