F1 Live London, 12th July 2017

[Greem]

A group of 12 marshals from the British Motorsports Marshals Club (including yours truly) went to London on Wednesday to provide marshalling cover for the demo runs/parade along Whitehall.

Being close enough to touch Ricciardo's car as he went through a practice start was breathtaking

We were privileged to get pretty well unlimited access to the paddock, such as it was. Here's a selection of photos/video:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ajApKOdCBai9cl0I2

We'll have more of that, please!

Renault RS01 "Teapot"

[S griffin]

Stop you're making me jealous

[VIVA GT]

I watched the coverage of this on You Tube yesterday lunchtime and was amazed at what I saw. Happy smiling drivers & team members, all enjoying the show and seeing cars, plus lots of happy spectators, especially surprising considering the lack of publicity about the event (apparently & understandably for security reasons). It looked like a brilliant idea, and a very well organised show to promote F1 just prior to the British Grand Prix.
What has also surprised me is that although I'm not an avid follower of 'the news', I don't read a daily newspaper, or sit in front of my TV at 10 O'clock, but I've heard very little about this event, even Autosport haven't mentioned it on their website (and I presume it was too late to be put into the printed magazine this week, I still haven't taken mine out of its delivery packet), why is this?

[Mike Bell]

I thought (London free paper) Metro had nearly a double page spread on the event today. But, on reading, the major emphasis was on the fact LH was the only driver not there (according to them), and the two pics were of him at Silverstone yesterday evening greeting fans and signing autographs at the circuit. So not a report on the event at all, but a promo for the GP itself.

Thank you Greem for the pics- I now have more idea what the event was about.

[The Fat Clerk]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

I watched the coverage of this on You Tube yesterday lunchtime and was amazed at what I saw. Happy smiling drivers & team members, all enjoying the show and seeing cars, plus lots of happy spectators, especially surprising considering the lack of publicity about the event (apparently & understandably for security reasons). It looked like a brilliant idea, and a very well organised show to promote F1 just prior to the British Grand Prix.
What has also surprised me is that although I'm not an avid follower of 'the news', I don't read a daily newspaper, or sit in front of my TV at 10 O'clock, but I've heard very little about this event, even Autosport haven't mentioned it on their website (and I presume it was too late to be put into the printed magazine this week, I still haven't taken mine out of its delivery packet), why is this?

BMRMC members had an email a month or so ago asking for volunteers as Greem said. Personally couldn't think of a more unpleasant combination - London & F1 cars, do didn't put my name down.

[NaBUru38]

Fox Sports Mexico journalist Chacho López confirmed that the Mexican Grand Prix promoters are designing the layout for the F1 Live Mexico for 2018.

[Greem]

I've seen a couple of Autosport articles referring to the event but I think the lack of news is down to the daytime largely having been aimed at schoolkids. In Trafalgar Square itself there was a massive stage being used for all the linky pieces, interviews and bands to play, but all the way round the edge there were tents with F1 in Schools, simulators, a pit stop challenge, slot cars and a host of STEM-related educational stuff. It was very much aimed at selling STEM as a career through, rather than necessarily into, F1.

The demo runs of the cars were almost ancillary to that and the night time concert!

I think all the secrecy around it - with it not being announced formally until 48 hours before - was partly down to the security stance that London has at the moment, but also to ensure that the entirety of the city didn't go into meltdown like it did for the Regent Street event in 2004. It was also a bit of a test, I would imagine, to see whether it was worth making the effort in other cities.

In my opinion - yes, it is. And if they do it next year it'll be even bigger.

[Rob29]

True-was a huge crowd-if us non Londoners had time to get there it would have been millions? What I missed on the TV coverage was something done by Tatiana Calderon-did anyone see this?

[bella]

Originally Posted by Greem

I think all the secrecy around it - with it not being announced formally until 48 hours before - was partly down to the security stance that London has at the moment, but also to ensure that the entirety of the city didn't go into meltdown like it did for the Regent Street event in 2004. It was also a bit of a test, I would imagine, to see whether it was worth making the effort in other cities.

yeah, the problem with hyping these events is that they become a victim of their own success. having it alongside better availability of drivers for spectators and more on-track stuff at the actual grand prix makes a lot of sense. whilst everyone might not be able to afford to go to a grand prix they might be able to get to a free demo and exhibition about the sport. shame they couldn't set something up for the weekend alongside the gp in the olympic/qe2 park for people to see.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Greem

all the way round the edge there were tents with F1 in Schools, simulators, a pit stop challenge, slot cars and a host of STEM-related educational stuff. It was very much aimed at selling STEM as a career through, rather than necessarily into, F1.

That's great, I think. The future needs more scientists and engineers.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

That's great, I think. The future needs more scientists and engineers.

It does, and I saw a lot of very enthusiastic kids participating in all manner of activities. Including a bunch of 8/9 year olds doing the pit stop challenge where it needed two of them to handle each wheel & tyre

I had to bail before that all finished though as we needed to go and sort out how we were going to run our side of things. I'll definitely want to do it next year if it happens again!

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

That's great, I think. The future needs more scientists and engineers.

Yes it does.

It is great to hear that these side promotions were happening.