| F1 autograph hunting TIPS for people with not much | | | | How? - you need to be good to the hotel personals |
| money. (Legal stuff only) If you have no money to pay | | | | before the F1. You can even go and ask the |
| the paddock club access then how on earth would | | | | receptionist and pretend as if you are going to stay at |
| you ever go close enough to the F1 drivers to get | | | | the hotel. It may not be so ethical but the important |
| them sign your merchandise/autograph/photo. Your | | | | thing is it's legal. You will be surprised on how easy to |
| not even related to any F1 crew. That was my | | | | get some drivers photo's or even autographs. You can |
| question since I first attended my first Formula 1 | | | | also check your local forums and ask around where |
| race.So what did I do to tackle this problem? How did I | | | | the drivers are staying. Someone out there might |
| manage to get autographs and photo's with F1 | | | | know! |
| celebrities not to mention a few World | | | | Tips 4 - Wait in front of the paddock access gate. |
| Champions(Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Niki | | | | Some circuits, drivers walk to the paddock. |
| Lauda, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikonnen) from the past | | | | Example(Singapore GP). This is a great opportunity to |
| and current lineup. Here I share my tips -> | | | | get them to take a photo or sign autographs. |
| Tips 1 - Identify your target. | | | | Tips 5 - If the paddock lane is open, get your way in |
| Know the drivers family members, gf's, race | | | | front of the garage. |
| engineers,technical crew,team directors, owners and | | | | On race day, normally teams who win P1 will have a |
| entire crew if possible. It's always good to know who | | | | team photo session. Smallers teams will celebrate P2 |
| is who. Reason? not many people know them, so +1 | | | | and P3. But you will never know, so make sure you |
| point as competition to take photos with them are less. | | | | wonder around the teams who made it to the |
| You can even ask them were and when the actual F1 | | | | podiums. I've personally took pictures of Ferrari, |
| drivers will arrive at the circuit. Do not focus on only 1 | | | | McLaren Mercedes 09, and RedBull team photo's. The |
| famous F1 driver. You might not know that a young | | | | drivers were so near to me and I manage to take |
| rookie would be famous one day. My F1 circle of | | | | pictures with them as well! Best time is after race |
| friends took photos with Sebastian Vettel when he | | | | when the teams are packing but you must be |
| was still the 3rd driver for BMW Sauber. Imagine him | | | | sensitive enough, some teams who didnt do well might |
| now and you know what I mean. So the keyword | | | | ignore you but don't stop and just go to next garages |
| here would be identify and do not be picky. | | | | teams. |
| Tips 2 - Always bring a marker pen + merchandise | | | | Tips 6 - Wonder at your local airport the day after the |
| Bring stuff for autograph in your backpack at all times | | | | F1 race finishes. |
| during Grand Prix weekend. You will never know who | | | | You will be amazed on how little supporters are at |
| you bump into. A friend of mine bumped in Sebastian | | | | airports! You will never know who you might bump into. |
| Vettel in a local Puma store and there was no publicity | | | | Seriously I'm talking of experience. Some friends and |
| on that! | | | | me have meet Fernando Alonso at Changi Airport |
| Tips 3 - Identify and hangout at the drivers/crew Hotel. | | | | once. |