Virgin Racing's F1 pit tour
We went behind the scenes with the Virgin Racing team at the Melbourne Grand Prix in its unsuccessful attempt to nab some Formula One points.
Feel 'em
We went behind the scenes with the Virgin Racing team at the Melbourne Grand Prix in its unsuccessful attempt to nab some Formula One points.
Our guide began our pit tour with the tyre warmers that are used by all Formula One teams as the cars' tyres provide little to no grip when they're cold.
Are they ready yet?
Each stack of pre-warmed tyres lives on a trolley that makes moving them around easier. They each also have this nifty temperature gauge.
Spreadsheet manager
Each F1 race car is wired up with sophisticated telemetry that allows all vital diagnostic information, from temperatures to speeds and g-forces, to be sent in a constant stream from race car to pit lane, where engineers, team management and strategists mull over the figures, trends and graphs.
Check, check
Lucas di Grassi checks a few things on his race car prior to Saturday's qualifying session.
Supporting role
Teams in pit lane await the beginning of the second race of this weekend's Australian GT Championship event, one of the many support events that's run on Formula One weekend at Melbourne's Albert Park track.
On a wing and a prayer
The cars' nose and front wings are detached as the Virgin Racing team perform last minute preparations for qualifying.
Open for inspection
One member of the pit crew lubes the car, while another inspects the brakes.
TV review
When sitting in the stands, most of the action occurs out of sight, hence the need for large screens. High fences are required to keep crash debris from impaling spectators.
A brother's view
Our view from the Schumacher stand provided fantastic views of the turn leading into the main straight, as well as the turn off into pit lane.
Dude fest
No doubt the F1 fan base skews decidedly male, hence the installation of a pole dancing pole in the main bar.
Access denied
Guess we won't be visiting this garage then. Joseph Hanlon attended the Australian Formula One Grand Prix as a guest of Virgin Mobile.
For the record, both Virgin Racing cars had to retire due to mechanical failures.