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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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

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.

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.

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 RU-vid 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🏁

A friend of mine got a pass for the Singapore GP on the account of him working for Petronas in Corporate Communications. Best off, he is the one who arranged for the drivers to come by Malaysia for their sponsor’s duty, so he has met Lewis and Valtteri many times in the past…

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

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!!!!

I managed to get a paddock day pass for two consecutive years when they came to Jerez for testing, Granted is wasn't race weekend but managed to meet team members and some of the drivers which were more than happy to take a photo with you. And my best moment was a photo and short chat with Niki Lauda

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!

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 🇿🇦 ✊🏿

I’m just a fan but passionate enough to purchase a pass- I met you at Imola on Sunday - was the guy shooting with that German camera..I had a great experience that weekend and my takeaway is F1 has everything dialed in quite well. It was a privilege to get great access, I don’t need it all the time but will do it again.

Great vid as always, I was very lucky to be invited as a Corporate guest of Merc to Silverstone back in 2021 Fri - Sun. Unfortunately due to covid we could not do the Pitlane walk but the hospitality was amazing both with Merc and F1 Paddock Club areas. Not sure if the same now but back then with Merc you could not buy a ticket with them only invited guests. Got to ask Lewis and Toto some questions (via vid link again Covid etc). Was very lucky to meet Corfty as well do a pitstop challenge (meet the chap who unpicked Valtteri's stuck wheel from earlier in the year). Amazing experience defiantly a bucket list item :D

Great informative video. Thank you.

Got a legends pass for Austin last year. Absolutely amazing experience. Even got to meet you and ask if George or Charles were in yet on Saturday morning. Was hoping to make your shoes of the paddock post but maybe next time.

I got a 4 day paddock pass for free last year from someone I know in F1 , forever grateful, never ever expected to have an experience like that.

Well, I got in as an SCCA tech inspector at the first race at COTA and was privileged enough to be in Sebastian Vettel's garage. As a newbie my job was to monitor the tires, no fun. I did learn a lot about the cars(for that year.

See you in Montreal Mr.Illman! I have my grandstand tickets at the hairpin and my family works on the track for more than 35 years "Crane/Pit Marshals/Etc". I might get an in in the paddock or at least at the secondary races garage at the back of the hairpin!

awesome info thanks alot and have a great day

I’m heading to the Canadian GP tomorrow morning, for my first F1 race in real life. I will make sure I use the information and see what can happen!!! Thanks for the info!

Mercedes toured me in their garage explaining every bit of the car, the garage and the employee. I got up close with the car, met Bono, James Allison, Rosa and everyone for free at this year's Japanese Grandprix 😁

Love your videos full of information thanks 👍🍺

Terrific video and information. There actually is a package you can buy that will give you a Paddock pass for the entire three race weekend - the F1 Garage Package. The price is eye-popping however. As much as $38,722 for Las Vegas. The average price is between $30,000 and $35,000 a race with several of the cheaper races in the mid $20,000 range.

As always insightful

You have one of the best jobs and you seem to do it well.

Love your vids! Insightful and entertaining.

I saw youbin Bahrain but you were talking to the Mercedes engineers about that Hummer Knock off vehicle and I didn't want to interrupt you.

Excellent video Kym...very informative!

Thanks Kym

G'day Kym I just looked at the A45C-03WL2 mate the anniversary edition with whiteface what a watch love ur vids and on a side note working with ur son is just a cool thing hope he realizes hes living the dream, you keep up the great content mate tc

Thanks for sharing.

This is really good information! Thank you.

I have been with Aston Martin at Saudi GP and it was amazing all the PR people there were friendly and I met you to I guess you did take picture of me if you remember I was wearing white shirt with Alonso's Cap .

Amazing insight. Have fun in 🇨🇦!

Nice video!!! I’ll keep dreaming and keep watching it through your lense. Thank you Kym

Yes, many Austrians have historically been very discerning. Good at policing and shepherding. Working out who belongs and who doesn’t. Very apt 😅

about to leave for canada, and this video reminded me to not forget my pass

Great content Sir. Keep m coming!

I'm sure nepotism and the old adage "it's not what you know.." comes into play for a pass as well - just like 3:25 where Kym says it helps to know someone. That's how it works in life for the majority of things.

we get invited by f1 so it was super cool and i was super thankful for everything

Amazing, greets from Valencia

I love your 'behind the scenes' videos of F1 - fascinating. Regarding you not videoing the tracks / drivers is that for your social media stuff, your 'pro' pass is just photos and excludes video?

Kym this was a great explanation!

Great video my friend 😊

Season pass nice man❤ u bro. Best video u ever made tysm for the info

Some good tips there Kym 👍 In 2019 i went to the Abu Dhabi f1 and had a 3 day Main grandstand pass overlooking the start finish line 😀😀😀 With a 3 day pass you get access to the Thursday afternoon pit lane walk which was amazing and well worth the effort. You could also walk about the start finish line / track. At the end of the race and while the drivers were being interviewed on the grid for television (and before the podium celebrations) A side gate was opened up between the side of the stadium and the track allowing anyone who was standing in the fan zone at the rear of the stadium to walk onto the track and underneath the podium 😀😀😀This was only open to people who had access to the main grandstand. Amazing experience, the 3 day grandstand pass cost me about £450👍 Btw, F1 passes only get you access to your allocated seating area, so always worth getting the best seat you can afford. Opposite the pits is where all the build up and action happens.

The company I was with sponsored McLaren and was given an opportunity to buy hospitality passes at $1800 per 3 days. This was in the mid 1990s. Got to meet the drivers, et. Cetera.

$8000???...really??? I'll stick with F1TV and your youtube channel😊...I don't want to retire pennyless.

Be a celeb to get a pass. No problem there

Thanks

Yeah, I got a day paddock club pass for $800 in a general suite (not team). I kept seeing the hospitality team workers with a handful of green VIP passes. I has hoping that a team was going to say "hey wanna join our group?". Also, if you have a couple grand, you can buy a friday paddock club that has access to a team and perhaps you can take a tour of the paddock.

Although we were thrown out few times, a friend of mine who was in a wheelchair, accessed the hospitality elevator in Montreal and got in for free.

I believe for an average person, your best bet will be the Corporate connections. If you work for one of the major sponsors like (Rolex, Puma, Redbull, Aramco, etc..) , you should contact your Advertising and Marketing Dept. and ask to be considerate.

Saw you on the big screen right after drivers parked last weekend your hat gave you away 😅

That guy you mentioned eventually had a full access to Redbull and even had a full team kit given to him and he was even in the team photo.

Looks like Illman's a gamer and enjoyed LA Noire! Nice

You sure about the bags Kym!? I’m great at carrying bags 😁

Great picture of Ronaldo and Messi!

I have been lucky at the Silverstone classic in 2001 the paddock was open all weekend so to was the pit lane over down time's. Seen the Bentley Speed 8 transport trailer in the paddock i know the car was in Parc fermé as it was closed. On the sunday i had a eye on Parc fermé it was open. I got to be right there with the car & chat with the team for about 10 minute's. Been lucky again at the Silverstone for the Ferrari racing days 2007. Again paddock was open all weekend but no pit lane had a chat with a Ex F1 team member there with the FXX team. He let me go out to pit lane with the FXX's lined up ready to fire into life. As a life long Tifosi back to the 70's to hear all them V12's was a dream come true so was the full weekend. And as a + got to see Bruno Senna race the F430 & he did not hold back he come close to a accident at the pit line speed limit line.

By having money, influence, being part of media or by having connections.

Myself and and a friend travelled from Ireland to Montreal for the Canadian GP in 97 I think. Irish TV covered F1 at the time and the main commentator was from Westport, our town. So they had a spear pass with no photos on it. The two of us swapped it around all weekend or got in and it was brought back out to the other. Only thing we had to do was hide if Bernie showed up because he knew everyone that should be there. We spent most of our time in Jordan garage with Eddie and Rubens but went to do the interviews with Eddie Irvine, Michael Schumacher and many more. Was interesting to hear the difference between on camera comments and off camera comments of Irvine 😂. Also met another Irish guy who simply bought the pass from a hired in waiter. AHH memories 😂

Awesome info! Btw - “Christian” Ronaldo made me laugh 😂

I do security at COTA! I'm in the background of a photo you took of Lucy Grant last year 😂

I beleive that the whole Paddock Club thing was started off by Williams, and their long term Corporate guy, was it Paddy McNally, brought a old double decker into the Paddock, from which to entertain their guests. Bernie did not take to kindly to this, and asked them to move it, however, i believe that in 'conversation' with Paddy, he was enlightened to the value of Corporate entertaining!! The rest is history., lol.

I can always dream

Thanks Kym for simply saying paddock passes are not for not so rich and famous people like me.🤙🏾

After winning a sales contest with the firm I used to work, in 2019 I was invited to Montreal F1 all expenses paid with the Paddock access. We stayed at a 5 star hotel in down town, had dinners at fancy restaurants every night. I am super grateful for that opportunity. At the paddock, you get to hang out with very successful corporate people. Amazing meals, limitless Champagne and being able watch the race right above the garages and walking around the garages before the race were very special indeed. It is one of those experiences that makes you wish you're rich, just like the private plane traveling. I have also been invited and attended to catered PGA tournaments and those are pretty special too. Even though I am not that much into Golf, I enjoy those events with 18th hole privileges, besides the fancy meals and drinks.

Back in the Adelaide days my cousin worked for the Dept of The Premier and I borrowed his paddock pass for 2days.....back in the days when the mechanics would literally sell the shirts off their backs for extra cash post event.

Must have been 2014 , Silverstone, testing of some kind and not a race, teams were on the old pit straight. A friend of mine who worked for a major sponsor got us paddock passes, me and my son, my son being 17/18 at the time were not acquainted at all really to F1 at that time. Whilst walking through the paddock we walked down a passageway towards the pits I noticed a Ferrari coffee machine on the left but thought nothing of it we then found ourselves in the pit lane with Ferrari to our left and McLaren to our right. My son still has the video of the McLaren pulling out of the garage. To the left at Ferrari, what looked like Andrea Stella who I didn't know who he was but had seen him on the TV looked at us kind of surprised but did nothing. We then looked left and walked to the pit wall and looked through the holes in the wire fencing whilst the cars went by. There were no teams on the pit wall, I don't know why? We didn't have any lanyards and no one stopped us. Great memories, if we 'nobodys' did it, and I know it wasn't a race, but there's a chance for anybody. True story, honest to god. Great video, very informative.

How do u become F1 media like yourself like what do u need to do any qualifications? Or do u apply or something

Sir Illman, how do you keep fresh/awake/energized (at least you look like it) while 'always' on the road? Red Bull drinks maybe? ;)

A very big wish of mine is to have a paddock pass to meet Blake.

"Singapore is beautiful to look at but bloody hot." Yeh sounds about right haha. But in September I'd think it's slightly cooler than the hotter peiords.

First to view and comment. From South Africa🇿🇦

Great tips! Too bad you don’t need a personal assistant 😜?

I've never clicked on a video faster 😂

Can I have a paddock pass for Silverstone please, I did purchase a Bucket Hat!!! I can bring my cameras as well so a media pass would be useful. Ok I know there's more chance of me winning the lottery!!! Great video again thanks Kym.

Hey Kym I would really like to take my 83yr old father on a weekend with Paddock Pass next year, which Grand Prix do you recommend? He’s still pretty healthy but I would like to avoid super long crowded lines and public transport as much as possible but without obliterating my savings.

the easier one is apply to one of the f1 teams and hope that you get to join the travel.....

You mentioned that the FIA gives you your passes and they let people shoot for them. They think who will draw attention to the sport and make them look good. But do they pay for your work /travel?

How hard is it to get a job as an f1 photographer? I’m studying photography, I doubt I’ll ever work as an f1 photographer but it would be amazing.

6:50 I can't believe Estebanned has fans

I saw the pictures on the net last week of Leo Leclerc with his pass in his mouth. Does he really need one?

Someone please let me know if buy the 3 Day Paddock Team pass is worth it!!

Interesting info, always look forward to your content. Hope you get more photos of Leclerc’s girlfriend, Alexandra. Man is he winning 😄

Kym, apparently there is 1 more special pass : a lifetime pass , for people who visited so many GPs during their life that they receive this special pass

Prices are unreal. Wish they’d do more give aways to actual fans and use those fans for a short social media clip instead of inviting celebs who are only interested in looking good on camera and feel important.

Does Jayce come in under your accreditation or does he have his own?

Kym, i want to carry your bags ;-)