F2 sprint, F1 qualifying + Crystal Hall

We had a relaxing morning and didn’t head to the track until early afternoon to watch the F2 sprint followed by F1 qualifying. The weather had taken a turn and while there was no rain in the forecast, it was phenomenally windy and Brad and I had underdressed so we were a bit chilly in the stands.

Both the F2 and the F1 were exciting with plenty of yellow and red flags. The F1 qualifying was especially exciting because some of the top drivers ended up with lousy pole positions. For example, Lewis Hamilton ended up in 12th. In typical Max fashion, Verstappen managed to get the pole position in the final lap of the qualifier.

The events were over by around 5:30 so we went to collect the laundry that we had dropped off yesterday and went to dinner at a restaurant near our hotel. We did not go to the entertainment activity at Crystal Hall last night and decided we would check it out tonight. The performers weren’t exactly our style, but we figured we should at least experience it. (Martin Garrix is an internationally renowned electronic/techno DJ. 🤦‍♀️)

It was around 9:30 when we ordered a Hopp and soon discovered that drivers weren’t keen on where we were headed because of the congestion going on in that area due to the concert. We finally had one pick up our ride and it took about 40 minutes to get down there.

The wind from earlier today had not let up and now there was drizzle as well. Imagine our surprise when the driver drops us off and we realize that we have about a 20 minute walk to the venue. So did everyone else. We chatted with a father and son from New York/New Jersey, which made the time pass quickly despite the blustery wind coming in off the Caspian Sea. By the time we actually got in the venue. It was 5 to 11.

Fortunately, Martin Garrix was performing at 11 and it was spot on time. We stayed for 15 minutes and discovered there were shuttle buses taking us to an area that was not congested. We grabbed a Hopp from there and managed to get back to our hotel in five minutes - quite the difference from our trip there. So that adventure was a bust.😫Läs mer