What happens when you let F1 drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button loose with a camera? You get Formula One selfies – special back-stage access affording a glimpse into the world of the paddock and their home lives.
These photos have been donated by top-tier drivers to the Zoom F1 Charity Gala event, where they’ll be auctioned off on January 16 2015. Proceeds will go to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Click here to visit the Zoom Auction website. Scroll through our gallery of photos below. It’s a rare glimpse into the personal lives of normally guarded elite grand prix drivers.
Daniel Kvyat
‘These are the people I spend the most time with in my working life: my race engineer Marco Matassa and my trainer Pyry Salmela. We are like a small team within the Toro Rosso team. This particular photo was taken on the Thursday evening in Spa. We were in a good mood, as we always are, to be honest. I get on well with Pyry and also with my engineer Marco and with him, it helps that I can speak Italian as well. We have a lot of fun but more importantly, we all enjoy a good working relationship.’
Adrian Sutil
‘This picture was taken in Florence. The city is one of the most beautiful places I have been to. As I like a lot the culture from different countries and especially from Italy, it is a place I really love to go.
Lewis Hamilton
‘Let life flow like a river, follow the path it takes you down. Take it as it comes & whilst you learn along the way, may you help guide the flow in the direction of your dreams.’
Jenson Button
‘My cockpit: I have the best job in the world – and this is my office!’
Eric Boullier (McLaren racing director)
‘A view from the pit wall.’
Liam Cunningham (actor and F1 paddock regular)
‘Every time I enter the Formula 1 paddock I get goosebumps. I particularly love the clockwork precision of the pitstops. BOX, BOX, BOX!!!’
Marcus Ericsson
‘Selfie with the fans at the Austrian Grand Prix autograph session – an amazing experience.’
Valterri Bottas
‘This picture is taken in January in Finnish Lapland. It shows that sometimes it gets pretty cold out there. It also shows how different Finland can be to many other place in the world… I always enjoy to go to these peaceful places.’
Sebastian Vettel
‘I love the mountains and pure nature. For me it’s a perfect surrounding to relax, recharge but of course also to hike and train in fresh clear mountain air. I took this picture in the Alps because it is so peaceful.’
Esteban Gutierrez
‘This picture is special. I had this Mexican meal in Switzerland. I have been living in Switzerland for 1.5 year and it was probably the first proper Mexican food I had lately.’