Thursday between shadow and light in the Austrian Grand Prix paddock
Thursday of a Grand Prix is traditionally an "off" day where nothing happens on the track, except in Monaco. Behind the scenes, it gives rise to scenes possible only on this day of rest. MotorsInside slipped between cameras and photographers to capture some of them.
2:55 PM. In five minutes, the drivers’ press conference will start. The first of a long series for Daniel Ricciardo, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Gutierrez, Marcus Ericsson, Max Chilton, and Sergio Pérez. In the corridor connecting the paddock to the press room, Ricciardo and Gutierrez are waiting for their colleagues to make a group entrance. They are talking.
Max Chilton arrives. “How’s it going, man?” Ricciardo throws at him, his cheek muscles locked in smile mode. Despite his victory in Canada, the Australian remembers very well where he comes from. Just one season ago, he was lingering at the back of the grid. Seeing him take such care to chat with each of his colleagues, one thing is certain: the dark side of victory hasn’t reached him yet.
Sergio Pérez joins the group. He greets his companions with a handshake. More than a handshake, it’s a “check” like the thousands that take place daily in high school courtyards. Except here, the boys are constantly observed by dozens of cameras and just as many photographers. The feeling must be exhilarating. Perhaps even sometimes unsettling.
« – Are you ok? », Ricciardo asks Pérez.
« – I went to the hospital, it’s okay », the Mexican seems to reassure him.
« – Where did your collision occur?
– Dans le virage où tu m’as passé…
– That’s a shame.
– Tu l’as dit. Je tournais encore en 1’19, 1’20. Je suis sûr que le podium était possible. »
Camera flashes crackle. Fernando Alonso arrives, followed by the very discreet Marcus Ericsson. The contrast in notoriety between the two drivers is evident. The Spaniard’s steps are preceded by a carpet of photographers ready to do anything to get THE perfect shot. Behind him, Ericsson remains in the shadows. No flash illuminates him.
Arriving in Formula 1 is not a guarantee of fame for the drivers. In the paddock alley, the size of the motorhomes varies from team to team. The number of journalists present in front as well.
Romain Grosjean is surrounded by a group of journalists in front of the Lotus hospitality area. British televisions and media « first », then ten minutes in the language of Molière for a group session with journalists of his nationality.
Equivalent scene on the other side of the paddock, in front of the Marussia hospitality. A single French television and two British print journalists. Jules Bianchi is then accessible to the French print journalists. There are noticeably fewer of them, as if his words mattered less than Grosjean’s. Yet, they have the same chances of securing a victory this season, let’s be honest. But Bianchi doesn’t have his compatriot’s podium finishes on his record. That’s probably what makes the difference. Shadow and light.
From our special correspondent in Austria
