After the 2022 US Grand Prix, I was convinced that nothing would ever top that experience. In a way, it actually made Formula 1 weekends a lot less hectic for me. I am perfectly happy just sitting in the grass on the hills, taking it all in, and watching the cars go by. After having that level of access and experiencing virtually everything you can possibly imagine, you just cannot top that. I think I have written it before, but the only way to beat a weekend like that is if they literally hand me the keys and let me drive an F1 car, which is absolutely not happening.
Because of that, the highlights of a race weekend now come from entirely different, unexpected moments.
This year, I met up with Valtteri Bottas again to try out his coffee brand, Kahiwa Coffee Roasters, as well as his Ihana wine and Oath Gin, which he co-founded with his partner, the incredibly talented professional cyclist Tiffany Cromwell.
The whole race week ended up being filled with completely random occurrences.
One morning, I was walking down the street and realized I needed a pair of sunglasses, so I popped into a nearby Ray-Ban store. The salesperson inside mentioned that they had actually just released a brand-new pair that very morning with Charles Leclerc featured in the campaign. They looked cool, so I asked her to package them up for me.
As I was getting ready to pay, I happened to glance out the front window and spotted a gorgeous Ferrari pulling up. Being a huge car nerd, I asked the cashier if I could step outside for literally 30 seconds and come right back to finish paying. There was no one else in the store anyway, so I was not holding up any lines.
I walked out to admire the car, and to my surprise, Charles Leclerc himself stepped out of the vehicle, looking completely lost and trying to find his hotel!
I walked over and gave him directions to the hotel entrance and parking garage.
I must have given terrible directions, because after I went back inside, paid for the sunglasses, and walked back out, he pulled right back up in the Ferrari. I laughed and offered to just walk him there. On the way, a van suddenly pulled up and a group jumped out with mini helmets for him to sign. It was crazy because literally twenty seconds prior, the street was a total ghost town. He stood there and signed every last one. I asked his partner Alexandra if this was a regular occurrence, and she told me it was, and that he always stops for fans. Once he finished, I walked them to the hotel, made sure they were set, and headed off.
It was already a bizarre morning, but things kept happening. A little while later, I ran into Yuki Tsunoda while grabbing lunch.
I made sure to actually eat a proper meal because I am a total lightweight when it comes to both caffeine and alcohol, and I knew I was about to indulge in plenty of both later that day.
Eventually, we made our way over to Valtteri’s event. Going into it, I honestly did not think he would remember me from our coffee in the Alfa Romeo hospitality unit the previous year. I did not bring it up and just focused on enjoying a drink with him.
After we both finished taking a sip, he looked over at me and asked, “So, what are we having next year?”
I looked at him, completely surprised, and asked if he actually remembered me. He smiled and said, “Of course,” pointing out that not that many people ask to join him for a quick pre-session espresso in the paddock as a bucket-list request. I laughed and told him I would have to start thinking of something for next year.
One thing about everything Valtteri produces is that the quality is legitimately great. I am not a big drinker by any means, but Tiffany was personally making Gin and Tonics using their Oath Gin. It was so smooth that I could barely taste the alcohol at all, so I actually went back for a second glass. I definitely felt the effects after a bit, but in the best, most relaxed way possible.
It was another surreal, low-key, and amazing race week in the books.
