Race weekend

I'm not complaining...but it has been hot!..in fact all the H's...Hot, Hazy, Humid, Having a great time.
Managed to catch up with Mr E Sat morning asking me who had written their piece.I spent most of the day chasing the CEO and Chairman of Circuit, I think these people feel that they have to indulge in serious creative writing here!...it's their legacy!
I'm feeling a little more at home in the Paddock now, getting to know more people from the teams. Saw Richard Cregan CEO Yas Marina Circuit Abu Dhabi. Great to see him again and chat about my commission. Many CEO's from other circuits visit races.
I must say the organisation of this race was first class, very relaxed too.
Sunday was the day I had to nail all these executives..I arrived at circuit early around 9, bearing in mind race started at 4. Managed to secure pieces by CEO and Chairman with photos, spent most of day waiting for the PM and Petronas Chirman. Went up to the Paddock Club Perdana Suit..very posh!  Told them I was waiting for the Prime Minister. He was so accommodating, wrote a great piece about the importance of Formula 1 to Malaysian people...the Chirman of Petronas was less so, he didn't want to..shame.
I guess the PM is the top man!
This was all just before the Grid line-up. An FIA Official wouldn't allow me in the pits at first..hopefully this wont be a regular occurrence.
The grid was so packed..love the frenetic pace  and nervous tension built up...the final frantic interviews ..flash bulbs firing...engines ready for battle..it's quite a unique place, I do feel privileged to be there.
Mr E was leading the PM and his people through the throng..I managed to get some good shots there. then went to the roof to shoot the start...fantastic.
Rush to the Podium, I was standing next to Button's dad...looking up at Jenson.
It's Monday morning in the hotel, leaving for China Tues morning, going back into Kuala Lumpar now to find some Malaysian fabric for the painting.

Hot day in KL

Just back from a full day in KL, very hot one too 33 degrees, managed to get a ticket for the viewing platform at the Petronas twin towers..what a view..amazing. Taxis are quite cheap so I had a driver taking me all over..so much traffic though..and like clockwork it duly rained around 4-30..does this every day, rains for a couple of hours then clears..everything is so lush and green because of this.
The city has many F1 fan zones with live concerts...Malaysian hottest rockers!...glass of wine in hotel lobby now.....

PM's Residence

Friday morning, late breakfast..quite a surreal Thursday night!
Razlan, circuit CEO invited me to the special welcome dinner in the Prime Ministers residence...what a grand palace..staircase the size of Milton Keynes!
I was told to wait at the meeting point in the hotel lobby for 7-30 to board the Bus to the residence, boarded the bus with the drivers and management..it was bizarre seeing these drivers on a bus...not as bizarre though as having a police escort!.....
lots of welcome speeches before the buffet dinner, I sat next to Monisha CEO Sauber Team, first female team principle, I had met her earlier in the paddock to talk about her penning a piece for my artwork.
Not all the drivers and teams came. of course the Lotus and Petronas people were there....no Mclaren ..
Razlan thought it would be a good idea for me to meet the PM and invite him to handwrite a piece for the Artwork, he was sat next to Benie Ecclestone, so I asked Bernie to make the introduction...as one does!!
The PM was delighted to take part...meeting him on Sunday at the circuit as well as the CEO of Pretronas whom Bernie also introduced me too..by this time the speech (rant) by Eddie Jordan had been and gone!.
Just before we were whisked away back to the bus for another police escort back!...I introduced myself to Tony Fernades..boss of Team Lotus..Airline owner...he was also happy to write a piece...So I think I have the full set!...top trumps!!
Off to KL today spending a full day in the city taking pics before the inevitable rain at 4pm!
So weird...it rains everyday at 4pm on the dot!.....guess what time the race starts on Sunday??..
4pm....

OK IN KL

First day in Malaysia, arrived last night..another long flight but compared to Melbourne...a short hop!
A great Hotel. Pan Pacific at the airport..just a short golf buggy ride from airport. The hotel could be named the F1 towers, all the teams, drivers, management are here.
The heat and humidity one feels immediately..its 33 degrees, very warm in the paddock, not a lot of movement today..people are staying in the air con motor homes for a long as poss. A long wide paddock in Sepang, nice looking circuit, lots of high ground for spectators.
I met the CEO of the circuit, really nice guy..thinking about his piece to write. He has invited me to the special dinner tonight in KL hosted by the Prime Minister, to enable me to get the PM to write something, this is great!..formal dress..I can do that!
Rushing back to circuit now to catch up with The Sauber CEO Monisha to explain the Art Project ...

Race Day

The much anticipated opening race finally arrived with great excitement, walking to the circuit I had a Paul Newman moment...I remember his film as a racing driver...and the build up of excitement began to grow..the PA system throwing out announcements...the mass crowds approaching the circuit....the smell of hot dogs..the merchandise sellers...certainly sent a tingle down my spine!
When I arrived I first had to pick up my Grid pass....there was a lot of activity building up to the race, I needed to get into the pit lane to take pics of the garages and to photo the minute silence plus the drivers parade....what a srum there was for places...initially the steward wouldn't let me through....think he saw the size of my camera compared to the photographers tanks!....I then had a case of lens envy!!
Managed to get onto the grid and track. and stayed on the grid ..all the pit girls arrived first...then all the teams and cars ..film crews..etc...So many people on the grid!...I was so aware of being very careful of all around me..I did get shoved out of the way unceremoniously by a south American commentator as she was speaking live!
I think I'll feel more comfortable  on the grid as the season progresses. I took loads of great pictures, I did feel privileged to be there.When Webber arrived on the Grid the crowd went crazy..their man!
 Saw most of the race in the Ferrari Motor home, a few laps before the end rushed to parc ferme, which was directly under the Podium.
The paparazzi take no prisoners I can tell you!...still manged to get good shots from the podium.
Next time I know what to do!..
What a great opening race..2 hours after race left for the airport...23 hour journey back, after 5 days in Melbourne..good to get the longest flight out of the way!..
To sleep now and one week in studio processing all pics, staring the Australian panel.
Next race Malaysia, leave Tues 5 April....can't wait!

Aussie legends

Just had the pleasure of meeting two past masters, Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones. nice guys ..took some good pics of them to include in my paintings.I'll be posting some photos soon...or as they say here..phodos!..it's been a busy paddock during final practice, lots of activity.
Quali starts 5pm local time.

6-30 saturday morning..been upm a few hours..think my own time-zone is somewhere between london and melbourne!
Busy day yesterday, weather lousy!..20 degrees, rain, wind. A good test for the new Pirelli tyres.
 Managed to meet the Circuit Chairman Ron Walker and CEO Andrew Westacott, explained the project to them, both more than happy to take part..although they need time to think about what they will pen for my painting...everybody wants a peice of them..so five mins with them was like gold-dust!.
I must say I feel like a new boy at school, finding my way..perhaps for the teams too, with their bright newly designed uniforms, I really like the Maclaren new black number!.
I managed to speak to Mclarens PR guy Steve Cooper...he started off at Art School..now looks after Lewis Hamilton..I wonder if they talk Art together!
I've introduced myself to all the teams PR people and press officers..tried their coffees too...Virgin's Cappucino..very nice...with a biscuit too!
The Atmosphere at the circuit is certainly building..the Aussies like their Motor sports, around the circuit there are so many fun-fair type activities..lots for the paying public..didnt spot many beer tents though....very unusual for this part of the world I'm sure!
Later in the day I took more pics around the city..like the Arts district..easy to get around on the trams.they just work!..why did we get rid of them in London.
Went the Queen Victoria Market, huge covered arena..I must say ..Market crap can be found everywhere one travels..it's alive and well here!
Looking forward to qulifying today, think Button was fastest in practice with Hamilton second.