Behind the Scenes at Spa: An Unforgettable Weekend for F1 Fans

Nothing prepares you for Spa-Francorchamps in person. Thomas was struck by just how massive the circuit truly is, something television simply can't convey. A tour of the track by truck gave the group a real sense of the elevation, especially through the iconic Raidillon, which he described as an intense uphill climb.

One of the most unforgettable parts of the weekend was stepping into the VCARB garage. Both Thomas and Éric were given a guided tour by a team member who explained how the team operates, before watching the garage in action during a live session, an experience filled with focus and tension as engineers and technicians worked at full intensity.

For Éric, this was the highlight of the entire trip. Being in the hospitality suites was already incredible, he explained, but "stepping into the garages and seeing the engineers working right next to the cars is something else entirely".

Nothing prepares you for Spa-Francorchamps in person. Thomas was struck by just how massive the circuit truly is, something television simply can't convey. A tour of the track by truck gave the group a real sense of the elevation, especially through the iconic Raidillon, which he described as an intense uphill climb.

One of the most unforgettable parts of the weekend was stepping into the VCARB garage. Both Thomas and Éric were given a guided tour by a team member who explained how the team operates, before watching the garage in action during a live session, an experience filled with focus and tension as engineers and technicians worked at full intensity.

For Éric, this was the highlight of the entire trip. Being in the hospitality suites was already incredible, he explained, but "stepping into the garages and seeing the engineers working right next to the cars is something else entirely".

Kailon had a similarly eye-opening moment when he spoke with Tom, Liam Lawson's engineer, who walked him through how a Formula 1 team truly operates. What struck Kailon most was the sheer precision of it all, every single person knowing exactly their role, with specialists working seamlessly together on track and remotely, including teams based in Italy, all focused on one shared goal: performance.

Seeing a Formula 1 car in person left a lasting impression on Thomas. Years of watching these machines on television couldn't compare to seeing them up close, the carbon fiber, the mechanical components, the sheer sophistication of it all produced what he called a genuine "wow" moment.

The weekend also brought incredible driver encounters. Between the garage, the paddock, and Paddock Club interviews, the group crossed paths with an impressive lineup: Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, Max Verstappen, Isack Hadjar, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, and Lando Norris.

For Kailon, watching the contest winners react to meeting drivers up close was one of the most rewarding parts of his role. He described their reaction simply: their eyes lit up, with smiles from ear to ear.

What struck Thomas most about the Grand Prix atmosphere was its universal appeal. Fans of every age were united by the same passion, he noted, with that same energy present whether in the grandstands, the fan zone, or the more exclusive Paddock Club spaces.

As the weekend drew to a close, gratitude was the overwhelming sentiment. Thomas extended his thanks to Ford France, Ford Racing, and VCARB for making the experience possible, while also crediting Kailon for his guidance and enthusiasm throughout the weekend.

For Kailon, the takeaway was just as heartfelt: a genuine privilege to experience Formula 1 this closely, alongside fans discovering it all for the very first time — the kind of weekend, he said, that you simply don't forget.