First of all, apologies for the lack of a recap last week, work each day from Sunday mothballed into Thursday and Grand Prix media commitments for the balance of the week, and what a week it was. As such, running took a back seat and most of this entry will be dedicated to the latter.

For the record, my mileage for the week ending 10th March was 167 km, the highlight being Saturday’s 29 km long run with Mark Berry, who’s tracking very nicely for next month’s Nagano Marathon.

Without further ado, I’ll get into it!

Monday 11th March

Labour Day marked a pleasant sight on the roads in lieu of the Monday morning madness, and a leisurely hour commenced the week.

There wasn’t much incentive to work – especially with attention firmly on the days ahead, though public holiday rates begged to differ.

Following a brief internal debate on my return, I ventured out for my first and only double for the week, 30 minutes including a few strides.

AM

13.2 km. 60 mins @ 4m 33s

PM

6.25 km. 30 mins @ 4m 48s

DAILY TOTAL

19.4 km. 90 mins

Tuesday 12th March

It was a fairly straightforward tempo workout encompassing two sets of three kilometres floating around 3m 30s/km . The elevation towards Black Rock provided some challenge and the usual head and tailwind factor potentially skewed the readings, but it was a decent session at any rate.

Work in the evening was another box ticking exercise with eyes on the prize.

AM

18.2 km. 75 mins @ 4m 06s

Wednesday 13th March

Possibly the longest day of the week, an easy ‘long’ 90 minutes felt like an eternity, yet as the final opportunity to accumulate some good mileage for the week it was done.

I acquired my media credentials from Grand Prix office and being the first time it entailed full F1 paddock privileges following three years being restricted to national status – not that I should complain, reality set in.

I had time for a cheeky schooner along Southbank and peek at the inaugural F1 season launch event being run out of Federation Square that evening prior to a final stint at work. Not that I wouldn’t be working across the next four days, but it wouldn’t feel that way.

This was predictably slow as I marked time and the relief once I headed out the door was immense.

AM

20.35 km. 1h 30m @ 4m 26s

Thursday 14th March

I was pretty happy to knock out a solid workout first thing considering my mind was elsewhere, so a five kilometre block comprising 6 x two minute reps off 1 min was satisfying. I struggled to breach 3m 20s pace initially, but I managed to kick on to a maximum of 3m 12s before I wound down.

AM

15.05 km. 60 mins @ 3m 59s

And so it was that I was released to the Grand Prix.

Walking through the entrance to the paddock and VIP restricted area for the first time after being given the all clear by security was a surreal sensation, like entering a different world.

What was immediately notable were the impressive protocol measures – notwithstanding the vicinity swarming with more security. Facial credential swipe gates to proceed from the media centre reception to the centre proper – a process which must be repeated for each subsequent exit and entry from the building for monitoring purposes.

After climbing the stairs – a recurring source of amusement on account of the differing passing etiquette between the international cultures present across the weekend, I was greeted by a hallway which must have been no less than fifty metres long and twenty metres wide, with dozens of desks accommodating the hundreds of journalists from all corners of the globe.

I secured my spot and storage locker for the next four days, sat down for two minutes tops before deciding I couldn’t contain myself any longer to enter the paddock.

As soon as I passed through the gates it was like arriving in an environment that bares no resemblance to the outside world, it’s difficult to describe, suffice to say it was awe inspiring.

TV crews, celebrities, team personnel and most importantly, the drivers, were freely roaming between their respective hospitality units and garages – themselves impressive features, and I felt very out of my depth deciding where to start other than absorbing and admiring its machinations.

With no on track F1 activity until Friday, this was the day with most access to the drivers, who weren’t in business mode, but their hands remained full with photo shoots, commercial partner tie ups and the like.

You rapidly gain an appreciation for how hectic their schedules are, and that’s without accounting for the hours of fitness training they do, which means when they finally jump in the car is probably when they’re most at ease.

Daniel Ricciardo admitted following his disappointing race that he felt drained by the week long duties as the centre of attention on home soil – and short of labelling it an excuse, he has a point, and he’ll relish the relative anonymity at the remaining races.

Jockeying for prime access to the drivers amongst the media throng is also an eye opening experience, what with broadcast standard cameras swinging wildly, and I was content to hang back initially and take in the process.

I compiled by first article for the weekend between several further visits to the paddock through the afternoon – which a pall which had been cast across following the tragic news that long time F1 race director, Charlie Whiting, had passed away unexpectedly in the morning.

This culminated in a sombre drivers’ press conference featuring Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, the returning Robert Kubica, and of course – Ricciardo.

Once the drivers paid their respects, questions were opened to the floor, and I must admit that, in a crowd of a hundred or so with cameras clicking wildly, nerves had my measure, which meant I couldn’t even construct an intelligent question much less raise my hand. Nevertheless, it was great to witness the formal procedures involved first hand.

The levity on display with the drivers detailing some humorous moments from their off season provided an intriguing contrast to the balance of the weekend when all attention was related the on track action.

With that done, I chose not to linger and save my energy for the remaining three days, so I made an exit and was happy to get through the door just on 7 pm. I gave consideration to a short jog around the block on my return, but I thought better of it as soon as I took my boots off.

The two F1 drivers who need to step up in 2019

Friday 15th March

It was another early rise to get the obligation that running felt like across the event out of the way, but enjoying Etienne Blumstein-Jones’ company – having run a 5000 m PB the night before, made it worthwhile.

I had an interesting moment when I took a second fall in as many months. This one occurred in slow motion as I tripped, lost balance, almost corrected myself and ultimately failed, though I was able to brace for impact as my left hip made contact on this occasion, albeit with nowhere near the velocity of the one which led to my glute and back issues last time.

I was able to finish the run without drama, with Etienne soon jumping on the road home to Canberra.

AM

13.05 km. 60 mins @ 4m 39s

After a short turnaround, I made my way into the circuit for day two, which following the anticipation of the first, was much more subdued if not still eventful.

First practice saw Mercedes unsurprisingly “release the sandbags” which most assumed had been attached during its anonymous pre-season testing, yet the consensus remained that Ferrari – having topped the winter time sheets, was now holding back until revealing its true hand during qualifying on Saturday.

The team principals’ conference carried a different dynamic to the drivers’, though again commenced on a poignant note with their recollections of the departed Whiting.

Inevitable questions were asked of the feud between Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Renault’s Cyril Abiteboul, following the former’s decision to cut ties with the French manufacturer following twelve acrimonious seasons to take up Honda power, aided by the pair being seated at opposite ends of the table.

This had been given increased prominience by the recent Netflix “Drive to Survive” series which depicted their strained relations throughout 2018 – with the footnote of Ricciardo’s defection to Renault, and with credit to both for playing along to the narrative for the media’s benefit, much laughter ensued.

They overshadowed the heads of presumed title protagonists in Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto, who understandably played coy regarding their confidence regarding the season ahead. One would be jubilant, the other at a loss come Sunday evening.

I’d come prepared to pipe up this time, only to be beaten to the punch, though I was satisfied that the question along the lines I’d had in mind – regarding the impending Brexit’s implications on the UK centric sport, formed the basis of my article on Saturday.

The session turned into a marathon as a rare appearance from FIA president, Jean Todt and F1 CEO, Chase Carey, immediately followed.

They joined the rest in expressing their condolences about Whiting – Todt commanding a minute’s silence, whilst the remainder of the conference was an interesting mix of politicised corporate speak, with both parties dancing around probing questions in deference to plugging their respective agendas.

This concluded with a short video about road safety which Todt has been a proponent of throughout his tenure, with heavy suspicions that he’s eyeing a UN posting off this springboard once his term expires.

The biggest relief once this ended was to stretch the back!

Second practice muddied the waters further as Mercedes displayed more pace, though Ferrari stagnated on its morning progress, leading to confusion whether this was indicative or its priorities were elsewhere until the times counted.

Once more, I made a relatively swift departure after completing my daily article as the toll of the days on the feet set in for the first time. Most of these people do this year in, year out for twenty plus weekends a year!

Two down, two to go, it was lights out not long past 10 pm.

Lance Stroll’s big break

Saturday 16th March

Considering my weariness, I was happy with my morning effort, which didn’t have much of a structure, but amounted to a progressive/tempo, and whilst there was a temptation to turn it into a longer run, I decided to conserve my energy.

AM

19.05 km. 1 h 15 mins @ 3m 58s

My mate, Kurt Jungling – who I credit for giving me the marathon bug after convincing me to do my first at Melbourne in 2012, and himself a handy runner back in the day with five marathons under his belt before work commitments took hold, joined me for the action and it was great to see his new employment has had an immediate positive effect on his lifestyle.

The plan is to get him back into marathon trim – with Melbourne in October the goal, so it’d be great if I can repay the favour in a sense by helping to keep him accountable to a consistent training block now there’s more time on his hands.

Once we arrived at the circuit, I did a quick sweep of the paddock and it was immediately noticeable that the tension had risen with qualifying mere hours away, along with the level of clueless celebrities taking selfies in front of F1 identities that most couldn’t name… before re-linking with Kurt in checking out some of the entertainment on offer around the circuit.

Retreating to the media centre for third practice, there was more of a definitive picture emerging as Ferrari picked up the pace, yet remained a few tenths adrift of Hamilton’s Mercedes, with the gap between the top five extremely narrow before a sizeable margin to the rest, where the margin was again… extremely narrow, except for Williams, whose times belonged in another category.

Qualifying finally arrived, and with it, the realisation or the sinking of the pre-season form guide.

Ferrari’s worst fears were apparently confirmed as Mercedes entered beast mode, with both cars almost six tenths clear of Vettel, Hamilton shattering the lap record in the process despite the off season aerodynamic regulation overhaul which many believed would slow the cars.

Vettel’s remarks at the post-qualifying press conference belied his demeanour, which was one of disbelief, as if he was trying to assure himself that there was still a great chance to challenge Mercedes on Sunday.

I again had a question in mind, on Vettel’s prospects considering he’d won the previous two editions despite not starting on pole, only for time to beat me. After the race, I’m half glad I didn’t get to ask!

After wrapping up my latest piece and sweeping the paddock for a final time – which was abuzz with television crews interviewing drivers about their quali efforts in the bullpen, Vettel subliminally approaching Wolff about a job at Mercedes – which I hastily managed to capture on camera for if and when it comes to pass, and personnel chowing down on dinner in their hospitality courtyards, it was time to make my departure.

Having been conservative over the past few evenings, it was time to enjoy myself a little, so after meeting Kurt outside, we headed into town for a few drinks. The late schedule meant by the time I’d finished up at the circuit and we’d had dinner, the evening was already wearing on, and somehow, despite only a few beverages, we didn’t make it back until sometime near 2 am…

As most runners are probably aware, sleep is king, and I can’t recall too many times I’ve been awake past midnight, let alone kicking on hours later, in recent years.

F1’s Brexit dilemma

Sunday 17th March

There were no sore head, but I woke far from fresh off barely four hours sleep.

Undeterred, I set out to give Kurt a tour of the Bayside trails at a relaxed pace. As one of his longer efforts in some time, it’s fair to say that 15 km was more than enough!

Considering my workload since Thursday, I was satisfied with the weekly haul which served as a mini recovery week, and normal service has swiftly resumed.

AM

15 km. 1h 20 mins @ 5m 20s

WEEKLY TOTAL

120 km. 8h 51m

Arriving at the circuit shortly after midday was the latest for the event, though with most paddock attention on the race – the drivers keeping largely out of sight, and few support events, there was little else to do in the countdown to 4.10 pm.

Thus, I again joined Kurt, this time wandering down the main straight to take in some of the exhibitions and marvel at the seemingly endless cash supply of spectators loading up on overpriced merchandise, food and alcohol.

With that, I returned to the paddock for the final sweep prior to the race, and the atmosphere was one of an eerie calm, anticipation and slight unknown.

There was an official commemoration for Whiting on the grid prior to the national anthem, after which, nothing else mattered, the main event was imminent.

Ricciardo’s race was essentially over by the first corner after sustaining wing damage running over a drainage cover on the grass on pit exit, and he parked up early with nothing to gain. The Aussie curse continues…

Out front, Valtteri Bottas enjoyed the jump on Hamilton off the line into turn one, and he wouldn’t be troubled for the rest of the race. It was an impressive performance considering the scrutiny he’s been under following an underwhelming 2018, and he was quite vocal about his delight afterwards!

The biggest surprise though was that Ferrari languished, unable even to fight for third place which went to Verstappen, with both cars finishing almost a minute behind Bottas.

Despite a big dose of writers block not helped by the lack of sleep, I managed to pull something together during the race, which was by no stretch a classic, but a feel good result.

The media centre was showered in the excessive green and gold confetti dispersed from the podium, as everybody compiling race reports furiously typed away.

Soon it was time for the post race press conference, and Bottas’ satisfaction was clear to see. All three drivers appeared quite content, possibly more stunned that Ferrari was nowhere to be seen.

After a visit through the paddock which was again dominated by television crews and varied moods depending which garage you were passing, I wound up my final article for the weekend, packed up, took one last look at the room I’d waited four years to work out of, and handed my locker key in.

I couldn’t resist one last paddock walk, which was already half dismantled such is the frenetic schedule teams operate on to ship freight to the next location.

As luck would have it, I stumbled in on Ferrari preparing for its post race conference in its hospitality unit. Understandably, the official debrief following the disappointing result kept everybody waiting, and when Binotto finally arrived, shortly joined by Vettel and Charles Leclerc, it felt like a wake.

Not even they had an explanation for what had happened, at a loss to be so thoroughly out gunned. The recriminations will no doubt be felt through Maranello and heads will roll if things don’t turn around swiftly.

On that note, I headed for the exit amid the darkness, satisfied with my first experience of the ‘Piranha Club’, and a greater appreciation of the Utopian world F1 lives in.

Being St Patrick’s Day, it was only appropriate to conclude the week with a pint of Guinness at P.J O’Brien’s and to celebrate what had been a long awaited breakthrough culminating in a productive four days.

In years gone by, I’d have been keen to kick on, but I’d had enough. This in itself gives me a greater respect of the media who are on a flight out of the country hours after the race and living out of hotels and suitcases for most of the year, not to mention the associated costs, but if you love something that much, you do what it takes.

Reality bites as Mercedes renews its dominance

The reinvention of Valtteri Bottas

Time for running to return to front and centre!

PS: The lack of pictures is due to the restrictions placed on material by the FIA on personal sites!