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Even though I've been involved with Formula One Malaysia in various capacities; organisation or even volunteering; since its inception in Malaysia in 1999, I've never had the chance to watch it as a spectator. Last year, due to hectic work schedule, I didn't join my friend as a volunteer. This year, due to my poor health, once again, I didn't join my friend as a volunteer. Thus, I decided there's no better time to be a spectator than now.

So, I asked my friend whether she has some free tickets. And I was lucky she had some. 

On the race day, after an early lunch, my brother, my sister, my nephew and I drove to the circuit. We had to go there as early as possible to avoid getting stuck in the jam and to get parking as near to the venue as possible. We were lucky that it was still early and managed to get the parking as nearest to the venue as possible. Thus, it was not a long walk. However, by the time we reached the ticketing office, I had to take my tickets there, I was sweating like a pig. And let me tell you, it was not a good sight.

After a few minutes, the tickets arrangement was sorted out and finally we can enter the Grandstand area. By this time, people were already trickling into the area. There were a few site entertainment such as a hunted house, merry-go-round, merchandising and F&B outlets. 

As I said earlier, we reached the circuit a bit early, so we had to wait for a while before the race proper started. However, it was not a boring situation because I just love 'people watching'. All kinds of people with all kinds of antics became some sort of amusement to me. When the double decker bus carrying all the drivers arrived at the spectators areas, all the spectators stood on their feet and roared, clapped and waved at the drivers.

When the mechanics started to enter the track, it signified the start of the race. The atmosphere became tense. The sound of various equipment became deafening. Then, the drivers started to exit from their pits and made one final round test to their cars before they entered again to their pits.

After another minute, once again, they exited from their pits and made another round. However, instead of entering the pits once again, they were queued up at their respective positions on the track. By this time, you can feel the deafening sound and the excitement at its peak. Everyone was waiting in anticipation for the green lights to be on, to signify the start of the race.

I think I couldn't even hear myself thinking when the race started. The roar from the spectators and the sound from the cars were totally awesome. It's hard to describe. It's like you can touch the excitement of the people.

But I had to admit, after that initial excitement, I was a bit bored. It was just cars going round and round and round the track. It was hard to follow the positions of the drivers because some of them had to enter the pit and such. I even had to stifle my yawning a few times. LOL.

The race went smoothly. No major accident happened except in the early stage when someone spun out of control. Two laps before the end of the race, once again the excitement was building up. Most of the spectators near my seating area were Ferrari's fans. But at the same time, because they were also cheering for two Petronas drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, because Petronas is the local brand and sponsor of the event.

The race was finally won by Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari followed by Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Right after the checked flag, and the track marshals ended their guard at a few areas, some of the spectators climbed over the seating fences and rushed over to the track and stood in front of the podium. It was really overwhelming to see the sea of people ran from various spots and clapped and cheered on the winners.

Finally, after so many years, I can feel the excitement of being a spectator, rather than the excitement of being part of the organisation team. 

Note:-

My previous blogs about Formula One.

1. Working With Formula One; 2. My Formula One Diary; 3. My Formula One Diary - Day Two; 4. My Formula One Diary - Day Three; 5.My Formula One Diary - Race Day;