Of Smog and Unexpected Encounters

Qualifying always promises to be thriller. Chitra Subramanyam thought that would be the most exciting part of the day. But there was an unexpected surprise waiting for her, at the unlikeliest place.

By Chitra Subramanyam

It is always a stunning view – the Buddh International Circuit. As you drive down the stark Yamuna Expressway, the harsh glare of the sun glinting off your car, you can’t help but see it sprawled in the distance – an oasis amidst the dusty and dry surroundings.

But it’s different today. A sickly dense haze hangs over the city and the Expressway. Smog. We usually see it only in winters. But today, it is there, keeping me company as I drive down towards the Paddock. It’s early yet and the Paddock is getting ready. There is more of a buzz this morning – the low thrum of excitement is palpable.

FP3 is coming up and the journalists settle in at the Media Centre. But the start has been delayed, courtesy the smog. Poor visibility they tell us, wait a while. The medical helicopter can’t operate in this smog. So we wait…and wait. It finally begins – and as always the teams perform brilliantly. Then, Sebastian Vettel happens. We won’t mull on that for too long, don’t worry.

The session is over all too soon – shortened because of its delayed start. I glance through my list of interviews – group interviews actually. It looks exciting: Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button. But first it’s off to the Force India hospitality suite for a tête-à-tête with Dr Vijay Mallya and his protégé Jehan Daruvala.

Our gaggle of journalists settles down (I guess a group of journalists would be a gaggle, isn’t it?). We shuffle in our seats and I look around. I spot a man in a red cap, walking nonchalantly through the room. He smiles at some people, shakes hands with one.

No. It can’t be. I gape. Rather unladylike of me, I know. But, I am not used to seeing legends up close and personal. I raise my camera like an automaton. Snap. Snap. No, it can’t be.

It is. It is. Niki Lauda!

I scramble up like the others and run towards the door. He is out already, walking away. Wait he’s back to take a picture with Jehan.

The other journalists and I run towards him. To catch him. To see him. To take pictures. To be in his presence.

There is very little that can actually top that moment.

Not the post-qualifying press conference.

Not Vettel’s moment with that huge fan and his car, post-qualifying.

Not Kimi’s barely audible responses to post-qualifying questions.

Not even, the sight of dancers doing the bhangra in the middle of the Paddock, much to everyone’s amusement. It was the perfect photo-op though. Well-played, BIC!

Because it was in that moment, listening to Niki Lauda speak, that I actually got a sense of Formula One’s rich history. It was nothing short of incredible.

Mega-Awesome Moment (or when it pays to be a journalist): Asking Niki Lauda one question, as he walked away:

“Sir, would you race this track?”

He smiled. “Yes!”

Now that is Perfection!

Boo-Boo of the Day: Indian TV journalist asking Niki Lauda if he liked cricket, since he was an Australian. I didn’t hear Lauda’s reply. I was too busy digging a hole for myself, so I could sit there for all eternity.