2007 United States Grand Prix

I’ve finally done it. After following Formula One since 1999, I’ve finally seen and heard these amazing machines up close at the United States Grand Prix. I went up to Indianapolis with a friend and we spent four days at the track. Thursday’s pit walk, Friday practice, Saturday’s qualifying and the race on Sunday.

The weather was hot and muggy. There’s not much cover so I was grateful to have a good hat and a generous supply of sunblock.

A few high points of car and people watching:

  • Seeing a bearded guy dressed like the pope with a big pointy hat and robes, but entirely done in Ferrari colors and logos. We were walking through a tunnel and I didn’t have time to snap a picture. He nodded a blessing as we passed. Yep, it was going to be a good week.
  • A band of rabid (and quite smashed) fans dressed in Brazilian flags, playing Carnival music on percussion instruments and chanting a song prominently featuring the words “Felipe Massa!” as they paraded triumphantly around the infield.
  • Hearing the Honda guys start up one of the engines in the garage. What a wonderfully aggressive bark as the mechanics blipped the throttle and adjusted the fuel mixture. When they shut it down the engine stopped instantly and the sound echoed up and down pit lane as the assembled crowd cheered and applauded. Later I discovered that the Honda cars were indeed among the loudest cars in the field. Too bad loud doesn’t always equal fast. :(
  • Seeing Lewis Hamilton’s car coming down Hulman Blvd., knowing he was seeing the track for the very first time outside of a simulator. Pace came quickly as we all knew it would. He was cool as a cucumber the whole weekend, even after having a little moment in turn 13 before the straight.
  • Of course, the race itself. The battle for position between the McLaren and Ferrari teammates. Nico Rosberg losing his engine along the front straight and the marshals dousing the rapidly disintegrating car with fire extinguishers.

More later as it comes to me… In the meantime, enjoy this pic I took of Heikki Kovalainen during Saturday’s morning practice session.

Heikki Kovalainen 2007 USGP

Posted in: Motorsport | | June 2007

One Response to “2007 United States Grand Prix”

  1. Pee Wee Says:
    June 19th, 2007 at 8:36 pm

    Dude, I always thought the Vatican was part of Maranello!

    Welcome to blogdom, we look forward to more from the F1 GP at Indy.

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