The sun is OUT!! Brief interlude two days ago for the mother of all rain storms, but frankly all is forgiven because today is just beautiful. As was yesterday, which is lucky because London played host to one of the most exciting basically ever: F1 Live London.
The idea of F1 Live London was to give motorsport fans the opportunity to get closer to the cars, team and drivers ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend. Because although F1 has a hugely diverse fan base, the sport remains slightly elitist, with only VIPs allowed access to pit lanes and paddocks. The event was kept super-hush (my invite came with the caveat of a strict embargo on social media before noon the day before), but was accessible to everyone. For free. Which is MAJOR. And the vast crowds in Trafalgar Square (I heard a rumour that this was the biggest event in the area ever) that gathered within 24hours of the event’s announcement is testament to the popularity of the sport.
Around 5pm, the event started, hosted by Rochelle Humes and Jake Humphrey. They welcomed a stream of past-and-present F1 stars to the stage (Damon Hill,David Coulthard, Jensen Button et al.), then scooted off to the Paddock to chat to the teams preparing for the speed parade down the mall while Bastille played a set. On which note – the Bastille frontman’s sunnies were next level awesome. Does anyone know where they’re from???
I watched the action from the Nation Gallery’s first-floor balcony with the beaut Pips Taylor. Everything about the event was super British – the canape trays had mini London phoneboxes on as decoration, and we drank Jonnie Walker cocktails – except my dress, which is by Australian brand Keepsake. A couple of the drivers were hanging out with Eddie Jordan on the balcony, too. It took literally everything in my power not to systematically fan girl them all.
This weekend is the 9th round of the international F1 Grand Prix, at Silverstone. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) took his second win at Austria last week – can’t wait to see the race!
S H O P M Y L O O K
Olivia x