How to meet a formula One driver?

Getting to meet a Formula One driver is not an easy task these days, especially because their time at a race track is completely filled up. If they are not out in their cars, they’re speaking to the team about their performance, speaking to the press or meeting sponsors. That’s why it is much easier to get your autographs at sponsors’ promotional days. The other good thing about sponsor days is that the driver is far more relaxed, because he hasn’t got a race to worry about.

You can find details on the time and location for these promotional days on a team or driver’s web-site or even in the local press. A lot of these events take place in the week before a race –so it’s always worth getting to a Grand Prix a few days before the track action starts. If you can’t make it to a Grand Prix or promotional event, you haven’t totally blown your chances of getting an autograph of your favourite star. Almost all drivers and teams now have official fan clubs which you can join to get a chance to meet their drivers, while some teams have open days where they open their factory up to the public.

You can also try sending something to the team to be signed, although such is the demand from fans that you may have to wait several months for a response – and even then only if you’re very lucky. If you do send anything, make sure that you enclose a stamped, addressed envelope so that the team can return your items if the driver is unable to sign it. There would be nothing worse that losing your favourite photograph of a driver and not having it signed.