It takes quite a lot of effort to drag oneself back to the airport after nearly four weeks of quality time with one's life, if you know what I mean...

A trip to the Spanish sun is not a bad way to get oneself back in the groove. Valencia has plenty of sun, sea and sand to offer, why, you could almost be on holiday...

The Circuit of Valencia meanders itself around the hinterland that is the Port Of Valencia, offering a picturesque mixture of an industrial and glamorous existence that makes it an interesting photographic challenge. Set against the backdrop of the Star Wars-esque cranes of the port and the splendour of the yachts in the harbour, F1 flicked the switch and came back to life.

During the summer break it became clear that Felipe Massa was recovering well from his Hungarian nightmare, but would be out of his Ferrari until at least Brazil. Replacing him would be Luca Badoer. Who, you may ask? A man who last drove an F1 car in race conditions nearly ten years ago would be filling in for the injured Massa. Er, surely the man who has just won Le Mans, is Ferrari's other test driver and Spanish would surely have been a more appropriate replacement to drive one of the worlds more iconic brands in Spain.

No disrespect to Luca, but really. The result, not a lot. A waste of a good car and media coverage for all the wrong reasons.

As Sunday became today, the heat was pushing nearly 30 degrees. One of the hottest days I can ever remember at a race track. It was going to be a long ole' afternoon's work for everyone involved. Drivers pounding round and round unable to overtake, spectators watching cars pounding round and round unable to overtake, the media reporting on cars pounding round and round unable to overtake, where was all this going?

Unfortunately not very far really. Another race of not much happening which is a shame as the event offers so much potential with its sun kissed location in a vibrant and beautiful city. It seems a deal has been agreed for the race to continue for another five years, which is something enjoyable to look forward to. Valencia is a cool city with its Old Quarter offering great little family run restaurants away from the throng of tourists that invade the city all year round. The city centre has a good range of shops to indulge yourself in while the City Of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de laes Arts I de las Ciencies) offers some of the coolest modern architecture in Europe and an amazing aquarium to lose yourself in. As for the racing, you can't have everything I suppose.

How nice it was to see Rubens win his first race for Brawn. I'm not so sure Jenson was thinking the same, but at least his team mate's smiling again.

To enjoy my images from the European Grand Prix, please visit the formula 1 section of my website and select Europe.

posted on 25th August 2009 12:00amview comments (1)leave a comment