The Thursday of a Grand Prix weekend is always busy day, and besides all the usual work done by NBC Sports Group F1 pit reporter and insider Will Buxton, along with producer Jason Swales, there was extra on the day’s agenda this Thursday.
Buxton’s third annual Big Time Bash from the Austin Grand Prix took place at Brazos Hall in downtown Austin, with all donations going toward Meals on Wheels – more info on the amount raised will follow at a later date.
A fantastic event that ran from 6 p.m. through to midnight featured the premiere of Road To: Mercedes, appearances from the NBC broadcast team, drivers Marcus Ericsson, Alexander Rossi and Luca Filippi, a festival of phenomenal prizes and lastly, a surprise appearance by 1978 World Champion and Circuit of the Americas ambassador Mario Andretti – who could not have been more humble and gracious with his time.
Here’s a social roundup of the evening, via Buxton’s Twitter feed, the Austin Grand Prix feed and several others on site:
It’s on! @BrazosHall pic.twitter.com/q5KspRwraA
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) October 31, 2014
So fun to see such a mega crowd at @willbuxton #BBBash! @MrSteveMatchett @MrDavidHobbs @OfficialFOXES #F1onNBC pic.twitter.com/LpEfZuRX0T
— Blair Soden (@BlairSoden) October 31, 2014
"You've been Caterham reserve… Marussia reserve… What the hell have you done?" Will jokes to Alex. #BBBash pic.twitter.com/YuW3f08N5P
— Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) October 31, 2014
You can't buy this @MercedesAMGF1 @LewisHamilton @Nico_Rosberg autographed sign. We have 3. @WillBuxton #BBBASH http://t.co/wMS8gsLpI7
— Austin Grand Prix (@AustinGrandPrix) October 31, 2014
http://t.co/jakKkNhxVs @marioandretti & @WillBuxton on stage #BBBASH
— Austin Grand Prix (@AustinGrandPrix) October 31, 2014
"The flight here today was 99% fans for the race" –@MarioAndretti @circuitamericas #BBBash pic.twitter.com/SEEhKYMu6o
— Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) October 31, 2014
No really, @MarioAndretti & @LucaFilippiLF were here! @BrazosHall #BBBASH @AustinGrandPrix #F1 @mealsonwheels pic.twitter.com/PrRgjmx5lL
— Emma Buxton (@EmBuxton) October 31, 2014
Cannot thank the teams who donated gifts and everyone who came down to the bash tonight. Absolutely blown away. Best bash ever.
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) October 31, 2014
Road to Mercedes was a huge hit and so glad our architect @TVMattB was there to see everyone’s reaction.
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) October 31, 2014
Waking up and realising last night wasn’t a dream. Huge thanks to @Ericsson_Marcus, @AlexanderRossi & @LucaFilippiLF for being so wonderful.
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) October 31, 2014
The legendary @leighdiffey, @MrSteveMatchett and @MrDavidHobbs had the crowd in stitches. Couldn’t wish to commentate with better friends.
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) October 31, 2014
But even this morning I’m still in shock that @MarioAndretti came down and made the night unforgettable for all the fans. Thank you, Sir.
— Will Buxton (@willbuxton) October 31, 2014
Prior to the Bash, Buxton took time out of his schedule Thursday for a Twitter takeover of the @F1onNBCSports feed. Here’s his responses:
Hi guys. @Willbuxton here. Got some questions? Fire them in. Let's go…
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@timingsands Would it be feasible for larger teams to all field junior teams? – Small teams would cease to be constructors = no money.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@AvenueJay Will NY host a F1 Grand Prix within the next few years? – I can't see it happening now, sadly.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@akh270 F1 Canopies coming soon ? – I don't think so. Canopy too risky for getting trapped. Screen only solution. Thickness impairs vision.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@65_SensuBeans Is Las Vegas a "real" possibility? – F1 should have a West Coast race. Is Vegas the right place? I'm not convinced.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@Ed2003wrx Any of the small teams coming back from administration? – Caterham could morph into Forza Rossa. Hope it isn't end of Marussia.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@gliebbe Will Mercedes dominate again in 2015? – So long as they can improve their PU under unfreeze too, they should maintain advantage.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@IMS_CatntheHat How many languages do you speak? – English, French, some German & Italian. I can order a meal in Japan. Fluent in gibberish
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@tommyleejr Thoughts on possible return to Long Beach? – I thought Sochi has some Long Beachesque qualities. Bring it on!
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@rjoconnell Who reaches F1 1st Vandoorne or Marciello? – The 2 most exciting rookies in Pirelli era of GP2. Hope they both make it.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@Jduarte5388 when do u see major announcements about vettel and alonso? – Seb to Ferrari would make sense this weekend.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@38kawikx When will Bernie RETIRE!!???? – When he's ready to. And not for a while.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@Alex_G1977 thoughts on the Audi to F1 rumours – Shows strength and success of new engine formula that manufacturers are being linked.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@andrew_schmitt could you see Watkins Glen make the calendar with modern improvements? – Would love it or Elkhart Lake.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@LilBooYo You own an F1 team, who are your dream team drivers? – Modern era? Lewis and Ricciardo.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@PapaWheelie11 Can Honda make a splash next year with McLaren or another team? – needs a good chassis from the outset.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@clark0530 Favorite moment this year? – Ricciardo's racecraft in Germany and Italy.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@Paul2448 How important is Haas' low expectations in the first few years in building a long-lasting team? – Utterly counter-productive.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
. @AaronF1Fan – what do see @AlexanderRossi ending up next season? – Hopefully racing. Not sure what championship yet.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@alonso_manso IF Vettel signs for Ferrari. What we can expect? – Huge risk. If better than ALO we question ALO. If not, we question VET.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@KrisKrispool Should F1 do more to make teams competitive? – Don't like concept of ballast. Can't penalise a team for being the best.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@salamidunk Lewis v fond of USA. Switch to NASCAR? – I can't see it until he's at least 10 years older. But he's as American as English now
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@LilBooYo which race weekend do you look forward to the food most? – Japan. Ommm nom nom nom.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@fansofalonso Do you think Vettel would do a better job than Alonso? – Less divisive than ALO, but lacks ability to drive around poor car
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@Meat_Bucket “better than” isn’t measurable though if they’re not racing the same car. – Compare gap to RAI. Faurly easy equation.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@mattsarz Will the new min weight requirements affect certain teams – increased weight helps bigger drivers like RIC and HUL.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@KrisKrispool It turns me off to see the same team win by over 1 minute EVERY race. – Largest win margin = 30 seconds. Smallest, 0.6
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@statino99 one driver not in F1 atm that deserves a drive? – Antonio Felix da Costa in the Toro Rosso.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@AaronF1Fan who on the current grid would you like to see race in the Indy 500? – HAM, RIC, ALO, BOT, VET
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@AngelM_F1 what are your expectations for the Mexican Grand Prix next year? – Always exciting to visit a new country.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@asimps512 what do you think of Lauda's idea of huge rear wheels, huge downforce and 1200bhp? – Love it. But it's not going to happen.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@DougCassaro Do you think JEV will be on the grid next year? – If not in F1, then in Indycar.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@alonso_manso Any difference between USF1 and HaasF1Team? – When and if they get a car built and running, we'll know.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
.@jenwrite F1 driver of the past you wished you could have seen raced? – Trackside? Villeneuve and Senna.
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
OK folks that's my 45 minutes up. Gotta go interview Rosberg now! Thanks for your questions and enjoy the weekend!
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014
Anyone around in Austin tonight, we're raising money for @mealsonwheels at @BrazosHall from 6pm. Guests and prizes. Going to be fun!
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) October 30, 2014