The surprising ACCESS of a F1 VIP pass... 

The experience has change quite a bit. I was once invited by Renault to the South African GP in 93. And I had access to everything but there wasn't a paddock club at the time. I spend 3 days in the pits with the Williams team when Alain Prost and Damon Hill were driving. I was able to walk on the grid before the start of the race. I had free movement in the pit for the entire week end. I remember seeing Ayrton Senna pit, I run to take a pic but he was already leaving. The best part was that I met Frank Williams nurse and we got friendly, He wanted to go out in Johannesburg and I took him to a bar where we were right next to James Hunt and got to laugh at his stories. After the race that Prost won, I was still in the garage and bump into Patrick Head who instead of being upset was more worried that he didn't spill any coffee on me. And at the end of the week end I was invited to dinner with the Wiliams team mechanics. My best F1 week end ever. I never got a chance to do this aqain. But it is burned into my memory.

Okay but who else was so happy when Ocon finally noticed him and gave him a fist bump 🥲

I think the VIP pass was the one to have. it got you right into the action where all the team members were. What was the Paddock Club but a glorified first class lounge. And I couldn't believe the quality of food you were getting there. Altogether a great time.

Damn, crazy how much trust they have and how close you can get to the car, the drivers and the garage. You’re like part of the crew just not on duty.

That’s so sick! Had no idea the VIP pass allowed that much trust in the fans. You did an incredible job documenting that for us all. Has to be a better experience for a die hard fan rather than more of a posh experience of the paddock club I’m sure. Also love how you’re just hanging out and Gasly just walks in between you two, like you really are just a part of the alpine family.

Shoutout to that mechanic for giving you a shirt. I was an equipment manager for a hockey team and love when the support staff is cool and friendly like that. they're the unsung heros with a thankless job.

For those that are wondering... This is the "F1 Garage Experience" and costs between $25,000-$35,000. They're also only available on select races.

My dad and I would always go to the Indy Car race at Laguna Seca in Monterey. CA growing up in Northern California. One year he won pit passes for the whole weekend and we were walking behind the garages when all of a sudden we open a door and there's Michael Andretti, who was still driving at the time. My dad was wearing an old Montreal GP shirt and Michael started raving about the Canadian GP and how cool a city Montreal is for about 15 minutes! Meanwhile little me started playing tag with some of the kids there and was tagged by a future driver, Marco Andretti. So you're 100% right about the VIP access being misnamed, it should absolutely be called the "family pass" for the access we're granted!

I would have geeked out! This is so awesome man! I’m so happy you got this experience and even happier that you were able to share it!

This was GREAT! I felt like I was there with you. Thank you for not editing this down to a 10 minute video for the algorithms. I especially liked the "raw" scenes where you cut the music and commentary. Where else do you get that? As an added bonus... there was a train (metro) for you to take! Wouldn't be a DownieLive video without a train!!

There's nothing like the first time having this kind of access. I spent a number of years as a media person on a NASCAR series and I can remember standing in the paddock and telling myself how cool it was. Certainly not as prestigious as F1, of course. Great video.

For the rest of my fellow US citizens aubergine is eggplant to most of the lower 48. I nearly had to clean my monitor as Mike wasn't trying not to "stand out" while rocking a mullet and an alpaca shirt. Somehow, he carries it off. I wouldn't dare. 😂

What an absolute privilege for you, well documented and every credit to Alpine for having an inclusive experience 👍🏻

What a nice video! You're a regular, good guy. Not over the top like so many others on RU-vid. This is enjoyable to watch, and I hope to experience it myself someday too. Best regards from the Netherlands!

Yes 💪🏼 the video I’ve been waiting for. As an F1 fan myself, I get to live the VIP experience through you 😝

Spot on assessment. It’s more a backstage pass. AAA amazing experience for you 👌🏼

Dude, Im a huge F1 fan! I hope you had a blast!

What a fantastic experience! Mike this is such a great video! As a fellow F1 fan I agree with you, what they did for you is far better then a luxury experience. I definitely have a new found respect for the Alpine team and will be cheering for them a bit more now that I have seen how well they treated you! Keep the great videos coming!!

Thank you for letting us experience the garage during the race with full sound. That’s what we want to see indeed! Awesome video!

Mike, your videos always make me cry. I love how emotionally honest and vulnerable you are. I was so excited when I saw that you had posted this video on Saturday. I started to watch it, then had to step away. When I got back it was gone and I was so sad. I'm overjoyed that you put it back up again. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us.

That was great, so glad you got to do that, and thanks for taking us along for the ride.

Insanely jealous, this must have been an amazing experience, being so close to the cars. Really good job documenting everything, this is the first time I've ever seen a VIP pass being documented this way and not with an instagram filter haha

Loved this expanded vid on your time with the Alpine F1 Team. Amazing hospitality and experience, thank you for taking us along for the ride. As an F1 fan I am so envious!!!

Interesting to see. I was in the Paddock club with Mercedes in Monza last week and was geeking at the VIP passes all the time. As paddock guest you get an insane hospitality and you also get to go into the garages during all sessions for some time, but you are then guided back to the paddock club, so you do not really have access to the paddock. Interestingly we were also not allowed to film in the garages but with you there seem to be exceptions. Additionally there is no official possibility to buy VIP passes as they are handed out by the teams and are extremely limited in contrast to the paddock club tickets which can be bought.. for absurd amounts of money, usually starting at around 6,5k/person and going up to 16k/person for Las Vegas for example. Might be worth to mention that at the paddock club you are always right above the pit lane and the main straight so you see the start, the pitstops and the finish as well as the celebration live, which as VIP guest is hard as you are located in the paddock and not close to the track. So best option is to get paddock and VIP passes, which usually almost all (VIP) people do.

With all we saw that pit stop was so quick, almost a blur, it is so different not just in speed, but organization from what races I have seen. Which BTW, has been over a decade where I have watched a race. Thanks so much for this video!

You’ve been missed bro, back with a banger! Definitely the VIP pass is for the one for the true F1 fans, so close to the real action. Can’t wait for the next one 🏎️

So happy for you brother. The video just popped for me, and i'm trully happy to see someone that really apreciates all that happens behind the scenes on a sport like F1. I worked, little, on track, with motorbikes, and is just good to see someone respecting who is working.

i guess you said it right, it's a "Family Pass" - the Paddock Club People are not "VIP" - but Crew and "Family" are really the Very Important Persons - they got access to the really important areas. awesome experience, i am actually jealous :D

The shirt switch was absolutely epic lol

I was there! I felt the huge wage clash when I cross the casino entrance. All the rich people heading to the paddock while me and my mom heading for some food during the lunch break. Can't imagine what it would be like if I had be given a VIP pass. I'd probably feel out of place.

I was in the local newspaper for an internship. It was actually over, but for the weekend I was allowed to get press accreditation for the DTM at my home race, the Lausitzring. It was wonderful. A fantastic and unique opportunity. There was a press event on Thursday. Friday as usual free practice and some interviews and stroll in the paddock. I was Saturday and Sunday both in the stands and in the Media Center. I saw so many heros of my childhood . It was so awesome. I am forever grateful for these four days 😊

Well now I have to rewatch to see what had to be cut. Was good the first time around though. I'd wager to guess it was a screen in the background with some data that none of us laymen would be able to understand.

I never expect John Dorian from Scrubs wearing an alpaca shirt to guide me through an F1 VIP experience but here we are. This will definitely be my #1 bucket list experience together with my son. Thank you for an amazing video.

The 2 times I've had vip access to nascar I was allowed basically anywhere in the infield other than the driver's busses themselves, even being allowed to stand in line with the driver and team that invited me, so I was always curious how different or similar f1 would be

Mike, that was such a fantastic video. Seeing both of your emotions as fans were great. This has to be my favorite video so far. You open the F1 door to so many people that are not aware of it. Now I do the research and become an F1 fan. - THANKS! Dan in Spokane.

I’m so happy to see the fan energy and the excitement is palpable.

Watching out crews is always so amazing to me. They’re so fast and so intelligent!

This was such fun to watch! Glad that you were able to have an amazing experience. Being an Ocon and Alpine fan, I may be just a tad bit jealous 😂

As an F1 fan, paddock club is a waste of time. Being involved with a team is where you get the best insight and the most excitement. When I spent some time with Mercedes, all the engineers were really welcoming and genuine - they make time for fans of the sport to give them the greatest experience. Glad you loved it 🎉

Mike, i found your videos when you went to your first F1 race, I was instantly hooked and then found out you also do a TON of train content as someone whos loved trains since he was little, you channel was made for me. I cannot wait to see the next video and where your travels will take you. thank you for taking me along with you. you have helped so many of us learn and enjoy somethings we would never be able to do otherwise.

As a huge F1 fan (especially Pierre), this was awesome. Thanks so much for taking us along :)

F1 is coming to the Vegas strip in November, so all we have heard on the daily news about is the preparations. You certainly got a quality experience! As a local I plan to avoid the crowds and stay home. Thanks for the in depth experience!

What an experience mate - very happy you got the opportunity and even happier that you shared it with us. Thanks!

The Miami Herald reported that the cost to be in a private suite, within the Paddock Club, for the Miami race, was $14,000 USD per person. It did not specify if that was for race day only, or for the entire weekend.

I HAD SO MUCH FUN WATCHING THIS i had no idea the headphones in the garage let you hear the drivers radio this is so sick thank you SO much for documenting this! its my dream to go to the Canadian gp next year so this was the perfect teaser haha

Thank you Mike for this interesting 'behind the scenes' tour of the Canadian F1. You sure were looked after by the Alpine F1 Team - that food!!!! - Now it's time to work off those calories. Your event seems to be on a much grander scale than the Aussie Grand Prix in my own city of Melbourne (Albert Park circuit) but I can relate to the atmosphere, especially around the public transport to/from the venue. Albert Park is fortunate to be served by Light Rail and street tram networks connecting with the wider heavy rail Metro network so it's a no-brainer on how to get to the race. For those with sensitive ears and not-so-deep pockets, the race action can be heard from quite a distance away from the track and there is television coverage as well. Nearby pubs and eateries do very well catering for those who don't/can't get into the race venue. Even the animals know something loud is going on. No self respecting dog, cat, possum, swan, magpie or seagull can be found lurking near the track during race time. Thanks for sharing your excitement at being at your local F1 race.🙂🙂🙂

Missed you Mike! I volunteered at two Star Wars Celebrations (in the autograph area) and was given access because of that. It was one of the BEST times I ever had! Good to see you and the mullet! Don't be such a stranger!

Dude - what an OUTSTANDING video! Brought back memories of the two Canadian GP's that I've attended in my life. Being so close to the pit (IN the pit, rather) and in the Alpine hospitality suite? Incredible! Great coverage and excellent video quality, btw. One of my favorite videos - keep up the great work!

That was amazing! so cool that you got to be in there with the crews and see all the action.

Mike! FOne racing isn’t something that would be on my bucket list, but watching people enjoying themselves gives me joy! You obviously we’re happy and excited! It was fun watching you! By the way I like your new haircut. It makes you look great! Also, you were in my favorite city in North America! J’aime Montreal! What I would have enjoyed most, had I been there with you, would have been those fabulous meals ! I have never had a bad meal in Montreal, but those that you had were incredible! I used to drive up to Montreal all the time, but I have switched over the years to Amtrak’s “Adirondack” . I cross the Hudson from my home in New Jersey and get to Penn Station and in 11 restful hours I have arrived having seen magnificent scenery out the window. The food is not great, but edible , the seats are comfortable , etc.

OK, so when your video starts I noticed the round globe in the background. This was the site of the 1967 World's Fair I believe. My family went to it back when I was a kid. One of the things I remember most was all the walking. They had these things you could stand on and they would massage your feet. Funny how I just now remembered that. Anyway, I'm sure the racing was a great experience for you.

That was so sick! Thank you so much for letting us tag along. I hope one day I'll be able to attend with a VIP pass.

wow can't believe they did not only let you roam freely but also to document it! i believe some teams can be very strict with documentation. and all the food looks so good. you really got the best deal with the vip pass. all the first hand experience and trust given. happy for you and hopefully i can experience it too someday soon!

Thanks for letting us tag along! I've always wondered what you get with those passes, and this was frankly amazing. You got to be right there watching it all happen from the inside of the hive. Oh man, and the food, looked amazing too, lol!

Seems like VIP passholders are there for the race; Paddock Club members are there for the event

Thanks for the behind the scenes look and the differences between the passes, which most of us will probably never get either one off :) Cool that you got to meet some of the other Canadian RU-vidrs, too.

Mike, every time I watch this, it only gets better. It never gets old. One of your best!

this is so cool! i'm so glad you got to experience this and film a video about it! it would be super cool if you did something similar for Indycar and maybe compared the two experiences

Man this an experience, thank you for sharing this because we only know the race, on the TV, but being there in the pits and seeing them in the flesh is just the best, plus the food looks amazing. ❤

Great video. It's interesting how quiet the garage area is during the race, only interrupted by the occasional pit stop.

What an amazing opportunity you had ! I am in MTL and never went to the F1 sadly as it cost a lot. You gave me an amazing view of what the behind the scene looks like and I thank you for that !!

I've only ever been to one F1 race in my life and that was in England and my auntie had to scrape the money together then we took the long drive down from Scotland to get there and this happened when I was a boy. Man I'm so jealous! It looked like a very cool experience.

This has convinced me to try and get VIP passes to the race in Austin Texas next year. I have a buddy who lives nearby so all I have to do is fly to Texas from NY and hang with him for the weekend and see a race up close. I had no idea VIP got you so much.

15:37... just as he says" i am here at the track, i am at my home race, but i am watching qualifying on a tv in a tent, that does not sound very luxurious" pierre gasly literally walks past him looking at his cam. lol

I love how a street race brings a city to life. Great vibe.

In the background of one of your scenes is Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff, the NFL player from Quebec who is also an MD.

As a long time F1 fan that's only managed a couple of trips to a race, this looks like the most amazing experience you could possibly have at the race!

I am not gonna lie...I cried watching this. Lol. It's so much better than fucking drive to survive. If the teams literally just make a video of the BTS inside the garage on race day that's 10B views right there. Your experience was awesome ❤ thankyou for letting us be a part of it

Awesome video Mike! So cool to see the behind the scenes of an F1 garage and the world class hospitality from Alpine. The Canadian GP was my first F1 Grand Prix.

Great video. You defintely got the better access. I had Paddock Club access in 2019 at the British GP courtesy of Pirelli and they kindly let us into the paddock area, something Paddock Club access doesn't allow. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience for me.

THAT WAS AWESOME!!! So jealous! I'm definitely getting a VIP pass for the next F1 event I attend. Thank you so much for capturing this. Really great job!

Great one! I got the chance to be at the race as a local, amazing experience as always

It was great to meet you, I see you had a pretty good time. Loved the video.

What an incredible experience! Much better than the ‘celebrity’ treatment!

Great race to go to, it was really eye opening seeing what you have access to with the vip pass

WoW! I am so jelly! What a fantastic experience given to you by the Frogs!!! So you speak Francais? Ocon gave you a bump in the end, but wasn't that friendly. The food OMFG, it looks and sounds superb! You have a cool fun demeanour. I am a fan and subscribed

Thanks for giving us a behind the scene view of the VIP access pass. I always wanted to go to these events as a canadian fan!

Very cool, thanks for taking us along!

Dig the Kym Illman cameo.

Glad you get to see behind-the-scenes activities. Hope you get the chance to attend the race on a traditional track such as Great Britain or Italian in the future. Looking forward to your next adventure.

I'm not into F1 racing, but this is great. Really glad you got this opportunity, hope you get more vip passes!

Glad to see you back on "long form" videos! Was worried we'd lost you when there was nothing but shorts for a while. Like those, but your longer videos with the greater insight and details are amazing!

Great video, well done to the team for giving you the experience. Some things in life, money still cannot buy!!!!!!!

Very good. Interesting to see behind the scenes in the pit and garage of an F1 race. I still waould love to hang out and do something with you, Mike. One day........hopefully.

I totally geeked out, in a Canadian way, when you ran into Peter McKinnon and Matt H (not gonna try to remember last name spelling). They are RU-vidrs I have been following since about 2018. Did you see Alen Palander and Chris Hau? I know they are also into fast, high performance cars. Thanks for sharing another adventure.

VIP THATS MY IMPOSSIBLE DREAM. SINCE 90' OO' 10' 20' FOLLOWING F1 ONE OF THIS DAY MAN.

Loved the video! I’m a new F1 fan who wants to try and see a race however it’s very inaccessible considering costs + locations. Your video style and commentary really resonated with me and I started crying in the last half of the video out of emotion from your experience as if I was there. Thanks for this :)

This was so cool to watch and fulfilled a bucket list item for me. Watch behind the scenes of an F1 race either in person or by a favorite youtuber. ✅️ thank you and I can't wait to watch your next adventure. Stay safe and stay awesome 💜

VIP pass sounds like it is for the nerds. I would LOVE to get my hands on one of those for a US race. This looks like it was amazing!

In motcross we have a thing called "Industry" passes. We dont get the fancy club seating, we sit with the racers and free access to pits during racing.

ive just got into watching F1 recently, to the point i still don't fully know who to support. but my god what an experience you must've had with the VIP experience. so much better than any of the really expensive tickets

Super sick access! Would love to do that one day for sure! 🏁🍻

I honestly thought that I wouldn't be into this video at all, but you did such a good job of making this interesting to someone who really wasn't interested at all. That's a real skill and I appreciate your videos very much. Thank you.

I hope you get to make it to another race and take us along with you this upcoming season. Love your videos, keep it up!

Thank you for sharing this experience although it's probably nothing compared to actually being there it's still great to tag along and see it. 💪

That is totally awesome. I went to the 2006 Canadian Grand Prix and made that walk across the bridge from the Metro station sooooo many times. I'd have killed for a VIP pass. At IndyCar races (at least in the past) you got similar access with a photo pass but IndyCar is not F1. Great video.

I went to my first F1 race in Montreal last year! It was really cool. Going again in June! Hopefully it doesn't rain again!

Great video, demonstrating that VIP is the way to go, with watching at home 2nd and being in the stands a way off 3rd.

I commented on your last f1 adventure, and I again invite/encourage you to do the 24 hrs of Daytona. It's the best race experience I've ever had as you can see the entire race from the stands close to 20 stories high!

Excellent video! Wow! Can't believe you were there like any other team member but without any responsibilities!