
'I lived the A-list celebrity life at the F1 – here's the Silverstone secrets'
Lando Norris won his first British Grand Prix in front of thousands of soaked fans at Silverstone on Sunday – but the F1 isn't all about the racing this year.
Behind-the-scenes there's a lot more going on, and that's exactly what Mirror man Harry Rutter found out during a days-long, celebrity-packed VIP experience at the famous racetrack nestled near its tiny Northamptonshire village.
With performances from Seventeen Going Under hitmaker Sam Fender, rockers Blossoms, Little Mix sensation Jade Thirlwall and recent Glastonbury sensation Raye, there's clearly something for everyone over the Formula 1 weekend.
Our jam-packed schedule started on the Thursday, with a warm welcome at the official backstage provider for this year's grand prix, Bluebird. With instant behind-the-scenes privileges came an exciting moment for our group as Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc casually cycled past as he prepared for Friday's round of free practice events.
Leclerc, who was runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 2022, acknowledged us and was shortly followed by Red Bull's Liam Lawson, who now races for the Christian Horner-fronted team's second unit, the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
Also dropping by Bluebird was F1 commentator and Sky Sports star David Croft, known to TV viewers as Crofty. Speaking to the Mirror he explained how nice it was to relax before being thrown into work over the weekend. He too was gearing up for a night of music before needing to jump on the microphone ahead of Sunday's big race.
"It's lights out... and away we Land-ooo," he says in a personal video filmed for me, pre-emptively hinting at a big year for Norris, or maybe even predicting his win. Love Island's season five-star Michael Griffiths was also spotted enjoying Bluebird's amenities, getting an oiled hand massage from one of the staff before hitting the free bar.
All-inclusive offerings included pricey bottles of Moey and Chandon champagne, giving the exclusive guests the full Formula 1 experience. Unlimited free Red Bull was also on the cards, with Heineken beers available as well across the extensive menu.
Shuttle buses and black London taxis took us across the mammoth Silverstone site, taking us to Escapade for dinner. The lavish location boasts homes costing over £2million for the uberwealthy to enjoy the calendar of races from a private balcony.
With a £150 special F1 menu on offer from their main guest 'club house', we were treated to the ultimate meal that the stars tuck into before watching the cars go by.
We were transported to the paddock next where we experienced everything the rich and famous can, right behind the pit wall. But it wasn't just celebrities walking around, it was the drivers too – shockingly.
We bumped right into Lewis Hamilton, sporting his Ferrari race suit following his transition from Mercedes. Moments later we saw Lando Norris doing some press interviews through the glass at McLaren's hospitality.
Sky Sports were live on-air as we watched TV crews scramble to keep the programme running, along with dozens of international outlets reporting from the garages. Normal folk like me would never normally see this kind of behind-the-scenes action, without shelling out thousands on paddock passes of course.
Blossoms kicked off Thursday night's entertainment with guitar-driven melodic hits, including Charlemagne, Your Girlfriend, and recent fan-favourite Gary. Sam Fender took to the stage and cranked things up a notch for the roaring crowd, performing a set of classic hits such as Seventeen Going Under, People Watching and Hypersonic Missiles to close out night one at Silverstone in style.
It was the next day's tour of the paddock where we bumped into more famous faces, including Williams driver Carlos Sainz, followed by RB's Liam Lawson – again. Also wondering around was Maura Higgins, as well as Gordon Ramsay. Joined by his wife and daughter, the TV chef was hosting his own VIP restaurant for paddock passers.
Friday night saw Raye take to the stage as the Mirror saw Hamilton once again appear – but this time he was side of stage, cheering on the singer amid swirling romance rumours. He watched her entire set, clapping from the sidelines and soaking up the atmosphere following the hitmaker's impressive set at Glastonbury Festival.
She closed the show with an unforgettable performance, playing a catalogue of hits such as Prada and Escapism – finishing off two days of wild entertainment even before the racing had begun in a festival-like extravaganza for ticker holders.
Commenting on the action away from the track Silverstone's chief commercial officer Nick Read told the Mirror: "This year, Silverstone is proud to showcase the best of British talent, bringing together iconic artists as we celebrate Formula 1's 75th anniversary as we continue to up our game.
"Our all-British music lineup reflects our commitment to delivering world-class entertainment that resonates with fans both on and off the track. We are delighted to welcome JADE, Mabel, Blossoms Idris, Mike Skinner, Sub Focus, Eats Everything and DJ Luck & MC Neat to this year's lineup.
"It's a testament to the rich heritage of British motorsport and music that Silverstone has developed since hosting its first Formula 1 British Grand Prix 75 years ago, and we're super excited to honour this milestone with an unforgettable festival experience."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Lewis Capaldi announces 2025 Australian summer tour dates
Scottish pop star Lewis Capaldi will return to Australia this summer for the first time in five years. After keeping a relatively low profile for the past two years, the Someone You Loved hitmaker is back with a vengeance after a bravura set at the recent Glastonbury Festival. Keeping the momentum going, Lewis, 28, will return to Australia in December for five headlining dates. Kicking off his antipodean run with two New Zealand shows, Lewis will begin the Australian run at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on December 4, before hitting Sydney 's Qudos Bank Arena on December 6. The tour will then roll into Melbourne 's Rod Laver Arena and Adelaide Entertainment Centre on December 12 and 15, before finishing at Perth 's RAC Arena on Wednesday, December 17. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Lewis, who was last in the country for the Falls Festival in 2019, left Aussie fans heartbroken when he was forced to cancel an Australian tour. To make up for the heartbreak, fans who bought tickets for the 2023 shows will have exclusive access to a past purchaser pre-sale from 11am on Thursday, July 10. Meanwhile, Secret Sounds pre-sale gets underway from 11am on Friday, July 11, while general on sale is from 12pm on Monday, July 14. News of Lewis' return to Australian shores was met with much excitement from fans on Instagram. Commenting on the Live Nation announcement, one wrote: 'The world is healing. We've missed you @lewiscapaldi.' Others were hopeful that more shows would be added with the likes of: 'One show in Melbourne won't do anything lol all the previous people will get the tickets before anyone else can.' Back in 2023, Lewis apologised profusely to Aussie fans on Instagram as he announced he would no longer be touring 'for the foreseeable future'. He was initially slated to play shows in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, before heading to Byron Bay for Splendour in the Grass. However, the Scotsman cancelled all shows in Australia due to persistent struggles he was experiencing with his Tourette's symptoms. 'I'm so incredibly sorry to everyone who had planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve,' he wrote in a lengthy message. He added: 'Playing for you every night is all I've ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I'll be back as soon as I possibly can.' The move didn't come as a shock to fans, as the Someone You Loved hitmaker had difficulties completing his 2023 Glastonbury set. Lewis became emotional during the set as his tics made it difficult to complete songs, prompting fans to sing along in a heartwarming show of support. He had taken three weeks off before his gig on the Pyramid Stage, but admitted it was not enough as he cancelled the remaining 24 live dates he had scheduled. 'I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I'd hoped three weeks away would sort me out,' he explained in his message. 'But the truth is I'm still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette's, and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come. 'I know I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to take some time out when others can't and I'd like to thank my amazing family, friends, team, medical professionals and all of you who've been so supportive every step of the way through the good times and even more during this past year when I've needed it more than ever.' Reflecting on his 2023 Glastonbury performance, Lewis – who has teamed up with BetterHelp, the world's largest online therapy platform, for a new promotional campaign – recently admitted he thought it would be the last of his career. 'I think I probably knew two songs into the set at Glastonbury that I couldn't do it,' he said. 'Glastonbury's obviously a big deal - it's kind of like the biggest deal - and it was the Pyramid Stage, so it was a big old gig. 'Second song in I was like probably like, I can't keep doing this to myself and other people as well. People are coming to gigs, it's not how you want to watch a show. And as far as I was concerned, I was like "I'm done indefinitely."' The singer-songwriter subsequently announced a hiatus from music while he prioritised his mental health, but looking back he believes he also needed a complete break from the industry as a whole. 'I didn't take a break to just focus on getting better,' he said. 'I took a break because I needed a break, and to sort of release the pressure valve a little bit.'


The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Interior fans in frenzy over ‘pretty' £9.99 mirror from Home Bargains that's ‘much bigger' than The Range version
INTERIOR fans have been racing to Home Bargains to pick up a "pretty" full length mirror after spotting it in store. The retail giant is currently selling the lilac wavy mirror for just £9.99. 2 2 While it's advertised as being part of the "kids edit", shoppers have insisted they don't just want it for their child's room. So if you want to give your pad a splash of colour and fun twist, you've come to the right place. Home Bargains bosses said savvy interior lovers "shouldn't settle for ordinary" and hailed the mirror as the "perfect addition" to homes. And it seems like people are in full agreement as they've been running to get their hands on it. One shopper shared a snap of the mirror on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group, which boasts 2.6million members, and said: "£9.99 home bargains." Her post immediately racked up 300 likes and 185 comments. A second wrote: "Kids bedroom?! That pink or lilac one is going on my landing." "They're not just for kids tho are they, I love this kind of decor", echoed a third. A fourth chimed in: "Kids room? I want one for myself." A £7.99 Home Bargains buy made my hallway look SO much bigger but everyone's saying the same thing about my DIY method A fifth added: "I bought the one from The Range when I couldn't find the Home Bargains one, it's much smaller than the Home Bargains one. But thankfully found it yesterday so currently have both." Meanwhile, a sixth said: "Love this mirror I want one now lol." If you're a fan of colour in your home, then there's also an interiors trend that you may also want to take note of this year. Colour drenching is predicted to be a huge hit for 2025 and involves using one colour on all surfaces in a room - even down to the light switches and skirting boards. Experts say it makes rooms seem bigger by allowing walls, ceilings and built-in cupboards to all seamlessly blend in together. By painting everything in the same shade, you eradicate any strong contrasts or harsh lines and instead allow the eyes to glide over a room. 'Colour drenching simply means painting everything the same shade: the walls, woodwork, ceiling and even radiators or furniture,' the experts at British paint and wallpaper manufacturer Farrow & Ball said. 'It's become more and more popular recently, but this way of decorating is far from a fleeting trend. 'Whether you want to make a room feel bigger and lighter or cosy and inviting, there's a way to make colour drenching suit you – it's all about which colour you choose.'


Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Legendary magician Wayne Dobson dead aged 68
Wayne Dobson, the legendary magician who shot to fame in the 1980s, has died at the age of 68, his brother has confirmed. Magician Wayne Dobson, renowned for his razor-sharp wit and spectacular illusions, has passed away at the age of 68. His sibling broke the devastating news today, bringing to a close an extraordinary career that kicked off when Dobson became a member of the Leicester Magic Circle aged just 16 - making him the youngest person ever to achieve this feat. This early achievement signalled the start of a lifelong profession that would mesmerise audiences throughout the UK and further afield. Wayne's brother Phil Dobson shared the tragic announcement in an emotional statement. Phil penned: "It's with a broken heart that I share the news that my brother Wayne Dobson sadly passed away today. He was my best friend and I miss him already. RIP legend." His major breakthrough arrived after triumphing in the close-up competition at the International Brotherhood of Magicians British Ring Convention. This victory unlocked numerous opportunities, including a spot on the beloved children's show Blue Peter, which showcased his abilities to a wider viewership. Subsequently, Dobson's career flourished, establishing him as famous not just for his remarkable tricks but equally for his razor-sharp comedic timing, reports the Mirror. During the 1980s and 1990s, Dobson's profession soared to unprecedented levels as he embarked on tours across America supporting crooner Engelbert Humperdinck, and in 1989, he graced the stage at the esteemed Royal Variety Show. His performance was unforgettable, supported by heavyweight boxer Frank Bruno and sports commentator Harry Carpenter. He also presented his own television programme, Wayne Dobson, A Kind of Magic, establishing himself as a recognisable figure in British entertainment. In 1988, Dobson received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that could have brought many careers to a halt, yet he refused to allow the illness to control his life. Rather than being defeated, Dobson took on the role of ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre, committing himself to increasing awareness and providing support. He carried on creating and performing magic, modifying his performances when necessary, and even made a return to live shows as recently as 2022 with a performance at Haslemere Hall in Surrey. Marvin Berglas, President of The Magic Circle, offered his condolences regarding Dobson's influence on the magic world. He said: "The magic fraternity worldwide, and our society in particular, mourn the loss of Wayne Dobson, one of the great magicians of the late 20th century. "Wayne, our honorary vice-president, wowed millions with his TV shows in the 80s and 90s and his unforgettable appearance on the Royal Variety Show with Frank Bruno and Harry Carpenter brought the house down. "He did not allow the onset of MS to stop his ever inquisitive mind devising, creating, and inventing tricks to the end. We will miss him." Heartfelt tributes from those who knew Dobson personally highlighted the profound sense of loss experienced throughout the magic community. Business partner Mike Sullivan penned: "It is with a broken heart that my buddy, business partner, and mentor Wayne Dobson passed away peacefully today."