First stop, Silverstone

Welcome to my blog, and thanks for stopping by. This is a space for anecdotes and stories from the world of motorsport, and perhaps sometimes a dash of something else. When I wrote a Formula 1 blog for the BBC Sport website, I scribbled about climbing a rope ladder up to a yacht party at the Monaco Grand Prix (my shoe fell off halfway up) and how future F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg diligently mopped up a cup of tea I tipped all over the floor when interviewing him. I can’t promise such glamorous escapades here, but the blog is kicking off with one of the highlights of my year, the British Grand Prix.

 
Now, any trip to Silverstone seems to fire up the connectors because I’m always excited to go whatever the occasion. Yes, even if it’s wet and windy in Northamptonshire, as it so often is. Heading back for the Grand Prix is extra special and I’ve started a little game that the first person I see on Thursday morning – and that I know! - sets the tone for the weekend. This year, after parking the car and heading to Gate 19, I spotted Sky presenter Karun Chandhok, making his way back to his glamping HQ. I’m not sure it’s actually possible to “glamp” at Silverstone but we’ll take his word for it. Karun and I were colleagues at Channel 4 and before that I used to bother him when he was an F1 driver and one of my favourites to chat to. So, with Karun as my first “stop-and-chat” we’re off to a great start.

 
Next was the mission to find the media shuttle. At Silverstone this is a double-decker bus which drops passengers at various points around the track before the final stop outside the paddock. Now, I did warn you wouldn’t be getting any glamourous stories didn't I?! What could be more apt for the British GP than queuing to catch a bus, unsure of when it’s due to arrive or if you’re even at the right stop. I’d say that’s nailed a slice of British life for our international media colleagues.

 
From then on, it was straight to work – a few team meetings, chats with one or two of the F1 drivers and recording a Pirelli hot lap. All of which will have to be kept top-secret and stowed away for future work.

 
Being back at Silverstone meant I could catch up with friends who remain part of the travelling F1 circuit. Since leaving Formula 1 full-time and starting a family, the thing that makes my heart sing loudest is seeing old paddock friends and colleagues. I suppose you’d have to ask them if the feeling is mutual!

 
At the end of the working day, my friend Luis and I spotted an Adrian-Newey designed 1990 March Leyton House from the top deck of the media bus (see these buses do have their advantages). It was a good reminder of how far Newey has come in his amazing F1 journey. Just outside the Silverstone circuit, Newey is busy masterminding his latest F1 creation at Aston Martin’s HQ. I hear that he has several drawing boards on the go as he lays out his plans for the much-anticipated 2026 Aston Martin F1 car.

 
I stayed a little longer to wander around the crowd and enjoy some of the Silverstone atmosphere. What could be better on a sunny July evening than watching music on the main stage and talking about F1? Judging by the groups of fans, families and friends soaking everything in, not a lot it seems.

 
As the sun went down, I watched Sam Fender’s headline gig with two Marks and their families. I should note here that, unlike bumping into Karun, I didn’t know them before and one of them wasn’t actually called Mark. But, after treating himself to a new Ferrari team top and pulling it on, we agreed he looked the spit of Ferrari test driver Marc Gene, so the name stuck. From bumping into old friends to making new friends, that’s part of the enduring magic of Silverstone.