How to get an F1 PADDOCK PASS!

I wrote a letter to Bernie in 2016 asking if he would give me two VIP passes for Spa as I was on honeymoon and wanted to surprise my wife. Well, guess what? I got sent two VIP passes for the Friday and it was just the best experience. We even got interviewed by sky f1 (ted and Johnny) and McLaren gave us champagne in their hospitality suite after seeing the live interview!! Hats off to Bernie ❤

"How do you get in the paddock?" Well, in the words of a classic Billy Joel song, all you need are looks and a whole lot of money.

Back when DC was driving for Red Bull, I won a corporate invite for me and my wife for Silverstone.. was ace, they looked after us for 2 days, inc flights, hotel and with a few 20min visits to the garage.. nothing like a F1 car starting its v10 one meter away from you.. the earth moved, we will never forget that experience!

In my experience if you want access to the paddock by far the cheapest and easiest way to do this is to attend pre season testing and book hospitality tickets. We did this for Barcelona in 2019 and the cost from memory was just over £200. You get the usual food and drink and watch from above the pits but you get hourly escorted tours of the paddock. We joined one in the morning and sidled off and spent a couple of hours walking up and down meeting many of the drivers TP’s etc. we did the same again after lunch. The day was way less busy than a GP weekend and everyone was happy to chat and take photos. My wife and kids will never forget the 5mins Lewis spent with us just talking and being so gracious with his time. Similar experience with Seb and Alain Prost. Just a fantastic way to meet so many people. If you are an F1 fan and aren’t bothered about celebrity and the TV side of the show I’d definitely recommend checking this option out.

In 2007 I made a trip to Shanghai for the race, about a month prior to my leaving I started to contact the F1 teams and asking for a Paddock Pass and much to my surprise Toyota told me to be at the paddock gate before FP1 and pick up my pass. A friend and myself spent almost all day in the Shanghai paddock. Very cool experience.

There is one restriction on dress in the paddock. If you are a guest of a particular F1 team’s paddock club you are not allowed to wear the team kit of another F1 team during the garage tour of your team’s garage. You are told and it is in the written instructions that if you do wear the team kit of another F1 team, you will not be given the garage tour of your F1 team.

You. Are. A. Godsend. I live in Austin and now have a plan. Thank you!

When we saw you last year at Montreal there was a group of five guys that had exact replica pit crew outfits of Aston Martin. Aston Martin was so impressed, they invited them all into the garage! Well worth what ever it cost them to have them made so well!

Your videos have taught me so much about the inner workings of F1. Thanks for all of your hard work and for sharing your many experiences in the racing world.

I remember the good old days of motorsport where the majority of attendants were hardcore fans and you could wonder all around the racetrack and event meet team members. Nowadays is like attending a music concert in a corporate ambience

I'm busy trying to save up for a Paddock Club ticket. I've never been to a grand prix, but when I do go, I'm going the whole hog - Paddock Club, or nothing.

I got mine from winning a race prediction at F1 Fan Voice, Monza 22. Talked to Kim for a couple seconds too who let me know what driver was swinging through the gates. He was just as nice as he seems on his channel. Loved the experience, saw and even brushed shoulders with just about everyone you can imagine.

I did an F1 Experience last year in Singapore it cost about $8,000 for a suite on Turn one. it was great in fact you came in took pictures in the suite and then you took my picture with the Championship trophy on the track. We got to go in the paddock for about 1 hour and we where guided in groups of about 8 people. it was a great experience and loved it

I love The insider information that you provide in each of your videos ! From the cell phones in Monaco to the airplanes and hotels and exotic places to eat and now this paddocked video. Not sure I'll ever use any of the information but appreciate it just the same. Stay passionate!

Kym, we love being subscribers to your YouTube channel. It’s by far our favorite! Besides bringing massive F1 fans, your travel vlog episodes are just terrific. It’s entertaining and we’ve certainly have learned a lot. Your personality shines through and we love your demeanor. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and especially for today’s behind the scenes. #staypassionate📸 #F1

That’s what I love about IMSA sports car racing because you don’t need a pass to go anywhere during the whole event. I would love to see you go and photograph one of those races when you’re here in the states.

Kym, you deserve the same access as an influencer! Best quality and insight. Keep it up!

Mr Illman, you've been the best at showing us behind the scenes of F1 weekends. Top 1 of 1. Much appreciated sir. Following all the way from 🇿🇦 ✊🏿

This is just such AMAZING information. But I get my paddock, and other areas of the Race from YOU!!!! In the comfort of my bed, depending on what time the race is on Sunday Pacific time! THE BEST WAY TO WAKE UP ON A SUNDAY EALRY MORNING!!!!

Great video Kym ! In the days of the Adelaide GP and the early Grand Prix at Albert Park I was able to get in to the pits and paddock soon after the race. Great experience to do, but too short a time in the paddock area. One of the secrets to get into the paddock was to play "Dumb" when you were getting removed from the paddock, Be polite to the security, and as soon as you could change your appearance, by removing your cap/hat and putting on a different jacket or shirt. It confused security for sure. Great times. Also have a couple of passes around your neck to look the part!