I showed my pass to the security guard and he let me in, that in itself put me at a very high point. After heading under the track towards the inside of the circuit, there I was, walking down a corridor lined with spectacular catering motorhomes.

Two impressive cargo trucks were on either side of me, and before I knew it, I was pulling into the Force India garage. For a newbie to the paddock, this was complete sensory overload.

The first thing I saw to my right was a group of engineers looking at a myriad of screens containing technical data and telemetry. Continuing, there were rows of Skullcandy-branded headphones, each with a name underneath. To add to my enthusiasm, they gave me a spare pair. I put them over my ears and was in the thick of it.

Both Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Pérez were on track for Free Practice 1 when I entered the observation area. I looked up to see the lap times being displayed on the screens and at this point I was a bit queasy with all the hoopla but tried to stay as cool as possible. The sheer volume of selfies I was trying to sneakily take was getting a little ridiculous, I’ll admit. The hustle and bustle was exhilarating. Engineers were running around the garage loading carts with tires and the action I could hear between the drivers and the pit wall in my headphones was something else.

The garage was beautiful, every corner sparkling clean. From the Hype Energy drinks cooler in the display area to the bright white shelving containing the various laptops and technical equipment, display cases for the riders’ helmets when they’re not on the track. There was not an aspect of that room that was not impressive and enough for any aspiring pilot, engineer, mechanic, etc. of Formula 1 had a burst of inspiration.

Watching the action on TV, I have always assumed that during a race weekend the team must be manic, stressed and panicked. I was completely wrong, the feeling of calm and professionalism was impressive and really showed the feeling of aerodynamic perfection in Formula 1. Everyone knew what they were doing and everyone did their job to the best of their ability.

Viewing the action from the back of the garage was a strange vantage point, one I’d never been privy to before. There’s no Sky Sports F1 coverage, no BBC Sport coverage, just good old fashioned lap times being shown on the screens – that’s all you really need to practice after all. I was getting all the information from my headphones, something I’m not used to when watching F1 coverage, and I can assure you it didn’t make it any less exciting. If anything, he was more alert than he normally would be. Not being able to see exactly where the cars were on the track made my focus on driver feedback even more intense and interesting when receiving instructions from the team.

Free practice was over and both drivers took the cars to the garage. The engines are truly works of art, years and years of hard work have gone into making those cars what they are today and there they were shining in front of me. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably watched countless motorsport documentaries with movies like Senna and Rush being a staple in your household. If that’s correct, you’ve probably seen endless videos of various drivers unbuckling their seatbelts, getting to their feet, getting out of their cars, and removing their helmets and ski masks. This is always a classic and somewhat emotional scene, and there were two Formula 1 drivers right in front of me doing this move. Something that put a lump right in the back of my throat.

With the running action over, I decided to go check out the Force India Hospitality motorhome. Every table, stool, glass coaster, etc. it was perfect, the colors were completely on the mark and it just screamed luxury.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I went outside to explore the meadow in the blistering heat. I would walk past faces that I see every weekend, I knew them very well and felt that they should know me! I knew my way around the paddock from watching the TV coverage in years past. I knew this place very well, but it was the first time I had been there; such an unusual feeling, I guess it would be like going to explore the set of one of your favorite movies that you have seen again.

I went up the stairs and people like Mario Arrivabene walked past me, Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and many more. Complete Formula 1 legends and celebrities who are only at their workplace to continue their work.

You know that butterfly feeling you get before you go to a job interview, or you go and meet an old friend you haven’t seen in years, or you have to go on stage and give a presentation or give out an award. I had this feeling locked in my stomach for about 4 hours, I just couldn’t make it go away. My hands were shaking as I tried to stay steady while taking pictures and still try to blend in.

Sahara Force India is a wonderful Formula 1 team, generous. I was very lucky to have this opportunity to be able to share the experience with as many people as possible. I have now gained so many wonderfully embarrassing memories of this experience, including, awkwardly stumbling out of the toilet cubicles and nearly walking straight into Fernando Alonso, with the “Oh my gosh, I’m actually standing in the paddock!” a phone call with my mum to find Bernie Ecclestone after me and hours of deliberation deciding what to wear (I didn’t think it would be appropriate to show up in all my fan gear!).

One thing is for sure, this world is awesome. It is a world that will always be a part of me.

Have you ever been in the Formula 1 paddock? Email your stories to [email protected].