2013 Pirelli Formula 1 Experience

03 Jul, 2013

There are many things I take for granted living in Montreal, one of them being that I live in a city which has the privilege of hosting one of the most elite racing series in the world: Formula 1. In the past I have participated in F1 events, car shows, meets and even parties but thanks to Pirelli this year was my first time going to the race.

The Pirelli F1 experience kicked off Friday night on the rooftop of Newtown a resto-lounge located in the heart of everything Formula 1 in Montreal on Crescent St. The invite only VIP reception entertained guests with all the amenities of a first-class experience with food and drink for all. In addition a world class view of the party happening in the streets below which even rain could not stop. As we enter the early portion of Saturday morning we call it a night and get ready for the qualifying sessions.

Saturday and a new day upon us as we arrive at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for qualifying sessions and assorted races throughout the day. A short boat shuttle takes us to our seats and along the way you have the full opportunity to soak in the F1 atmosphere including spotting some of the driver's parking spots like Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso's muddied up matching Ferrari's. Today we'll be in Pirelli's VIP lodge located on the first corner after the starting grid which once again is absolutely first-class. Guests enjoy white glove hospitality and premiere view, food and drinks all day long while watching F1 qualifying, GT races and the Ferrari challenge. After a good night's rest we'll be ready for race day Sunday.

Sunday morning arrives with perfect weather conditions for the race; Pirelli surprises me by presenting me with a paddock pass for the day to round-off the ultimate VIP experience. Once we arrive at the track we are shuttled to our section and arrive just in time for a walkthrough of the race paddock; giving some of the spectators a chance to see the cars, teams and equipment up close. We re-join up in the paddock room for a 5-star lunch and anxiously await the start of the race. We hear the first car fire up as everybody scrambles to get their ear plugs in from the roaring sound of the race engines. All the guests are on the edge of their seats as the race goes on, getting a bird's eye view of all the intensity in pit row in addition to seeing the unbelievable speed of the race cars as they fly through the grid.

As the race ends, the champagne is cracked for the 3 podium drivers (1st -Sebastian Vettel - Redbull Racing/Renault, 2nd - Fernando Alonso - Ferrari and 3rd Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes) and champagne is also pouring in the Pirelli paddock room as everyone celebrates an exciting race and amazing time. This experience was absolutely amazing and I can't thank Pirelli enough for letting me cross this off my bucket list.

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