This year, I decided that I wanted in. I didn’t want to spend another year just working and not really experiencing the full effect of Formula 1 in my city. And so I did, and what a ride it was.
I pick up this posting from where I left off, the Friday before the Grand Prix.
Fuel Party
We spent most of Friday night in the paddock covering the post practise interview sessions.
The view from the TV Compound
The last turn before the start finish
It had been a long day and to be honest, the events of the past nights were slowly catching up on me and I was thinking of hitting the sack early. But an old friend, Joanna was in town and we’d spent the day texting trying to meet up. Finally, at about midnight she said she was in New Asia Bar and Jac convinced me that we should head out for a while at the very least. Since I hadn’t seen Joanna in years, I gave in to Jac’s persuasive ways and we headed to the Swissotel.
After quickly freshening up, we used our Red Paddock passes to get us in New Asia with no problems. Upstairs I met Joanna and a few guys from KL. We were on the dance floor when Jac spotted Maya. What a small world.
I chatted with Maya for a while but since everyone wanted to head to the Fuel Party, I said goodbye and joined them. The Fuel Party was at the National Musuem and we were prepared to pay to get in. Just as we got out of our cab, a random stranger asked us if we wanted tickets and we gratefully accepted.
It turned out that his tickets were VVIP tickets and we had access to the most prestigious piece of real estate in the place. Inside we met more people, including Tiff, Uday and Debbie from work, Jill and Jeanette and a few more.
Our free tickets
The scene inside the National Museum
Party time
Me, Tiff, Joanna & her friend
Sarita, Jill, Jeanette & me
No Doubt was partying right there as well, minus Gwen, but still. It was a great night, and I was so glad I didn’t follow my instinct and headed home early.
No Doubt just meters away from where we were partying
Samantha Ronson was great on the decks and Lindsay was partying in a sheltered corner, it was awesome!
Samantha Ronson on the decks
The girl has talent, music was awesome
Pre Quali BBQ
After stopping by the office and sorting out the qualifying show, I stopped by Lev’s place for his pre quali BBQ lunch. Was hungry and the food was excellent. Embarrassingly met Ashley for the second time (I somehow don’t recall our first meeting at Brix) and we chatted and caught up.
Our host, Lev who grills a mean chicken
Was great meeting Ashley again :-)
Headed down to the circuit and grabbed Karun for our pre qualifying show, which went smoothly enough.
Karun and I
Working the press scrum, grabbed Liuzzi
Beyonce made an appearance and Lewis gave her a garage tour
After quali and once the post session interviews were done, we headed out to the official F1 After Party venue, Stereolab, which was organised by Tamara Ecclestone.
The entrance to Stereolab
For some reason, I was so bored there and was glad when Jac suggested we go and meet her friends at Wine Bar, outside Zouk. Headed there for a couple of easy drinks and a massage, and then called it a night. Still had a big day ahead of me tomorrow
My masseuse
Raceday
So the big Sunday finally rolled in and I was all psyched for our biggest F1 show of the season. Today it was Alex in the paddock with me and we went about with our throws and interviews. The big news was that Alex was named by Tony Fernandes to be apart of the new 1Malaysia F1 Team and so we included a significant part of that into our show.
Raceday with Alex
Grid Girls
The highlight of course was the on the grid interviews. Fernando was great, but the other big boys were hard to get. Went to the end of the grid and they boys were much more willing. Worked my way back up to the front before we had to leave 15 minutes before the start. On the way out, I saw Tun Mahathir and quickly grabbed him for an interview about the new Malaysia team, which was aired in Sportscenter Malaysia. I’d interviewed Dr M when he was still Prime Minister and it felt nice to be able to do it once more.
Alonso just before the start
The other Ferrari driver, Fisichella
Will I Am and Nicole heading to the McLaren garage
Interviewing Tun Mahathir
The rest of the night was spent watching the race and waiting for the drivers who crashed out to appear for an interview.
We finally finished at about midnight, and Paula had secured a table at New Asia Bar for us. On the way there got a call from Sarah Ann, the grid girl who was holding the British flag next to Lewis Hamilton’s pole grid spot, and I told her to join us. She asked if she could bring a few friends and I said “Of course!”
It was great to be with the team after such a massive weekend. Steve Dawson, Paula Malai Ali, Alex Yoong showed up much later, but essentially we all had a drink together and it was great to unwind.
Also met Dom, from Channel V who turned out to be a massive fan of my work. Felt nice to get a bit of kudos from people within the same circles.
Spent a lot of time, and money here over the week
Sarah Ann, me and Sarah
Love the view from up here
Before I knew it, it was 5 am and since we were in the VVIP area upstairs, no one wanted to come and tell us that the place was closed… finally I think we noticed that we were the only ones there and so the five of us who were left standing did the only thing that we could have.
We left and headed for dim sum supper. Sarah had a favourite place that she insisted we head to and I wasn’t about to argue.
Breakfast in Geylang
By the time I got home, the sun was rising and it was about 7am, just enough time to catch a short nap before heading into the office for Engine Block at 10am!
Ah Singapore, I now know we can be friends.
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