Day 4: Race Day!

Today's the day! We got another early start to get to the airfield super-early and make it to the track to avoid most of the traffic. We were in our seats by 9am, and enjoyed the morning's races along with the driver's parade (basically all the drivers on the back of a truck). There was a terrifying display by a RAF Tornado and a less terrifying display from Sterling Moss driving round in an old car. And then, before we knew it the cars were lining up on the grid and the red lights were counting down! The British Grand Prix! It couldn't have been a better start; the two Williams jumped from 3rd and 4th to 1st and 2nd from the start and narrowly led the Mercedes for the first half of the race. Everyone was supporting Hamilton, but I was going crazy for the Williams; it was such a sweet sight! Unfortunately, they made the wrong call on Massa's pit stop and then the rain started, and it all went to pot. It was so interesting to see how quickly the cars can't handle the wet track, and the Williams especially seem to go backwards. The latter half of the race was less exciting as the Mercedes built their lead, and many of the mid-field had settled in to a bit of a precession. Hamilton eventually took the win, and Alonso unexpectedly took a point in the awful McLaren (Button had crashed out on the third lap). We stuck around to watch the podium on the big screen, before making our way out of the track. It was a surprisingly smooth journey home, despite a bit of re-routing to avoid traffic jams.

What a holiday! Having been brought up on F1 and Motorsport, I had always hoped to go to a GP myself. My Mum and Dad used to go all the time when it cost £5 and you could walk in the pits and meet the drivers. I wasn't sure how Mum would find it in such different times, and without my Dad, but I think she really enjoyed herself. I already want to go back, but I think it may be best (and cheaper!) to leave it to this amazing one-off experience....