How to Meet a Formula 1 Driver

F1 2021 Grand Prix.

- The Gear I Use –
Video Gear:
My microphone:
Gorillapod
Rode NTG Mic

Photography Gear:
Gitzo Monopod
Gorillapod
Ram
Canon 600mm
Novation Launchpad Mini

[SteveMrW]

2017 I was on the same flight into Melbourne as Fernando Alonso. We had a 15-20 minute chat as we waited for our luggage to arrive in the baggage hall.

[TrentHarlan]

As an American in Illinois, just wait for them to retire to IndyCar or IMSA. Got Romain and K-Mags to autograph my Haas F1 shirt this year at Road America.

[Fercho]

McLaren mostly stay at Hilton properties, as they are sponsors.

[bradennetzly]

Being in the US, it makes me happy to see how open the paddock is for IndyCar (and other series as well). I’ve met Romain Grosjean & Alex Albon at Indianapolis, plus Marcus Ericsson in the paddock at Mid-Ohio. Takuma Sato & Alexander Rossi are two others who are always happy to stop and sign an autograph as well, especially Sato!

[Rohitjaen]

Thanks to Kym, we're getting wonderful insights of our favorite sports, not possible in my 21 years of following F1. Cheers🥂

[CaptShah]

Had a pleasure of sitting next to Ocon this year after Hungarian GP on a flight from Budapest to Paris. Very nice and humble person. I did not want to bother him and his manager but after an hour or so I politely asked him if it’s okay to take a picture as he was sitting right across from me. Also during Hungarian GP I had the pleasure of having drinks with Danial Ricciardo at the sky lounge in fashion district with few friends on Monday night after the race day. Always a pleasure meeting with the pilots.

[KianGoedendorp]

At the dutch gp i had gate 2 entry and i got to meet every single driver that came in through those gates most of them stopt for me and i got to meet nyck de vries when he was coming in on foot it was awesome!

[loryita]

Casually met Perez after he stopped his car at curva grande in Monza in 2019. I was watching other drivers go around and then I heard other fans talking behind me, so I turned around and saw him walk by

[rutgertingen]

I’ve met George Russell in the restaurant of the hotel he stayed for the Dutch gp

[mansivaishnav]

As soon as I see your notification pop up I'm straight here! Thank you Kym! :)

[ralffe]

I remember I saw Seb boarding an Emirates flight once. It was a few years ago but I was too scared to approach him, also he was already at the gate.

[mbrdhdh]

George, Lewis and Valterri all drove past me at Silverstone on those entrance roads while I was walking to my seats

[rs]

I only know your videos for some weeks.
These background infos are really outstanding!
A real upgrade for the f1 community. 👌Thanks a lot!

[robgraham]

In other words "GOOD FREAKIN' LUCK"!

[sultanoftippoo]

I’ve been lucky to meet a few F1 people over the years. Here are my tips;

1: best bang for buck is to get hospitality for pre season testing in Barcelona (£250 for the day). You get unlimited escorts in the paddock (can duck your guide and stay all day, no security other than on the entry/exit gates) - we met many of the drivers and team principals (Angela got us an intro to Lewis - lovely lady BTW) - everyone is very chilled, not rushed like a race weekend.

2: in Hungary the Sky team stay at the Intercontinental. Great people (Johnny Herbert, Martin Brundle happy to chat all evening in the bar). Drivers stay at the Four Seasons. Total security there so you have to be staying there to see them (outside my budget).

3: Monza do an incredible hospitality package (fan club I think) that is 1/5th of the cost of Paddock Club (around £700 for the weekend). The hospitality area is on the ground floor right at the end of the pit garages so albeit behind glass you are 15ft from the cars as they drive by. We met Jody Schechter, Jean Todt, Nicholas Latife & Jamie Chadwick (incredible day)

[MajesticDemonLord]

Step 1: Organize a Formula 1 race.

These tend to attract Formula 1 drivers ;)

[XZero]

A nice way to start the day, with Kym Illman and a cup of tea

[mikkozon]

We were at Monza this year the entire weekend, sadly we didn't see any drivers in person. A lot of people got lucky at the exit as the drivers stopped on their way out for pictures.

[tiadaid]

Met Giancarlo Fisichella, Felipe Massa, and Takuma Sato all in one day, way back in 2004. I got the autographs of a race winner, a runner up to the 2008 World Championship and an Indy 500 winner!

[rafaelborrego]

Mexico, They Stay at the Presidente Intercontinental and Hayyt in Polanco area.