Aston Martin Paddock
Never stop dreaming, that’s what I want to remind all of you. I know many of you share the same dream I once had: stepping into the Formula 1 paddock. A magical place, the true heart of Formula 1, and one that only a few people in the world ever get access to.
After a lot of hard work, my dream came true this year, not once, but twice! During the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix weekend, I experienced a VIP day with OKX and McLaren on Friday, and was later invited by Aston Martin on race day!
Read all about the VIP experience here, or stay on this page to discover more about our collaboration with the Aston Martin F1 Team.
Chasing the Formula 1 Paddock Dream
This year, I decided something had to change. I could keep dreaming and talking about wanting to get into the Formula 1 paddock, but when I really thought about it, I had to ask myself: what had I actually done to make that dream happen? The honest answer was… nothing.
So I decided to take action. I sent emails to more than 70 companies, from Formula 1 teams to sponsors and event organizers connected to Formula One. My platform, RacingMediaGirls, unfortunately doesn’t meet the FIA requirements for official media accreditation, so I had to try a different route.
The responses were limited. A few polite rejections here and there, but mostly… silence.
Until something unexpected happened.
Through LinkedIn I got in touch with someone who might be able to turn the dream into reality. Instead of immediately saying no, he asked me to send a detailed plan: when I would be attending races and which locations would work best.
That was the first real opening toward the paddock. I explained that I was already planning to attend the Grands Prix of Monaco Grand Prix, Belgian Grand Prix, and the Dutch Grand Prix, so those would be the ideal opportunities.
After that message… months went by without hearing anything. By the time I followed up again, the Monaco Grand Prix had already passed, and I had also attended the Belgian Grand Prix. Once again, it went quiet for a long time.
Then suddenly, during the week of the Dutch Grand Prix, everything changed.
I received confirmation that I would be allowed into the paddock as a guest of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.
There was only one small complication. I had already been invited to a Friday event hosted by OKX together with McLaren Formula 1 Team. Fortunately, they were kind enough to make space for me and a guest, to visit the one and only Formula 1 paddock on Sunday.
And just like that, a dream that started with more than 70 unanswered emails was about to become reality.
Stepping Into the Formula 1 Paddock
Walking into the paddock of Formula One is something every motorsport fan dreams about. It’s the place where the sport truly comes to life, where drivers, engineers, team principals, and global celebrities all move through the same narrow space between the motorhomes and team hospitality units.
The moment you step inside, you immediately feel the difference. The energy is completely unique. Everywhere you look, there are team members rushing between meetings, mechanics preparing equipment, and media crews capturing every moment.
And right there in the middle of it all was the hospitality of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.
From the outside, the hospitality units already look impressive, but once inside it becomes clear how much attention to detail goes into the experience. It feels exclusive, yet surprisingly welcoming at the same time.
A warm welcome
The experience started with an incredibly warm welcome from Aston Martin.
A friend and I were personally picked up and handed the magical object every Formula 1 fan dreams of: the paddock pass. The moment that pass went around my neck, it suddenly felt real, we were actually going inside the paddock.
We were greeted by one of the team’s marketing managers who welcomed us with genuine enthusiasm. She was incredibly kind and clearly passionate about the team and the sport. With a big smile, she began showing us around.
The paddock at the Dutch Grand Prix in Circuit Zandvoort is divided into two main areas: the section with all the team hospitality units and the area where the garages are located.
Walking through the hospitality area already felt surreal. Within minutes we spotted Pierre Gasly casually riding through the paddock on his scooter. Moments later we saw Lando Norris leaving his team’s hospitality building, while the crew from RB Formula One Team were filming a video inside their unit.
It really does feel like a small Formula 1 village where everyone knows each other.
Inside Aston Martin Garage
Next, we walked toward the garages!
Here we were able to see the cars of Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso up close inside the Aston Martin garage.
Seeing a Formula 1 car on television is impressive, but standing just meters away from one is something completely different. The level of detail is incredible. From the tiny aerodynamic elements to the precision of every component, there are so many things you simply don’t notice on TV.
One of the highlights for me was seeing the helmet of the two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso. For a motorsport fan, moments like that feel pretty special.
The team members explained several aspects of the car and what happens behind the scenes during a race weekend. It was fascinating to hear about details that viewers rarely get to see during a broadcast.
Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to film in the garage.
Inside Aston Martin Hospitality
After visiting the garage, we made our way to the Aston Martin hospitality area.
Once again we were welcomed warmly by team members and immediately offered a drink.
We received a tour through the building, and at one point I even spotted Fernando Alonso quietly relaxing in his room before the race. We ended up having a drink while simply enjoying the atmosphere.
People constantly walk in and out, stopping for quick conversations. Everyone seems to know each other. At one point, Ruth Buscombe, a highly respected Formula 1 strategist known for her work with teams like Ferrari, Haas, and Sauber joined us for a short chat, she was also discussing strategy, including some of the plans for Lance Stroll. Not long after, Bernie Collins, former strategy engineer and now a well-known Formula 1 analyst.
Standing there, listening to conversations about real race strategies while casually having a drink, felt surreal. Two incredibly influential women in Formula 1, casually discussing the race just a few meters away. If you ask me, moments like that are just as special as seeing the cars themselves.
A Dream Turned Reality
Looking back, it’s incredible to realize how this experience started. Just a few months earlier, I was sending dozens of emails hoping someone in the world of Formula One might respond.
More than 70 emails later, with mostly silence in return, it would have been easy to give up. But standing in the paddock during the Dutch Grand Prix, seeing the cars of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll up close and experiencing the incredible hospitality of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, made every email worth it.
The paddock truly feels like its own small village, full of passionate people who live and breathe the sport. And for one day, I got to be part of that world. Thank you Aston Martin!
Curious about my other Formula 1 VIP experience with OKX and the McLaren Formula 1 Team? Make sure to click here.
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