Story behind the photo: How homework caught Vettel victory
After every grand prix, ace photographer Mark Sutton of Sutton Images gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to cover Formula 1 from behind the lens.
Photo by: Sutton Images
“This was one of my favourite weeks in Monaco, celebrating the 75th Grand Prix of Monte Carlo.
“It’s such a pleasure to be in such a great setting and get to take photographs on this iconic circuit.
“Until you have visited this Principality and enjoyed the spectacle of the Grand Prix week, it’s difficult to describe – but it sums up what F1 is all about here: glamour, speed, yachts and celebrities. And you feel you are so close the F1 cars that you could touch them at 200mph!
“My photo shows Sebastian Vettel crossing the finish line to take a great victory. The podium and photo towers had both been raised high in order for guests to see this much better, and I had recced the tower on the Wednesday to check to see how many people could work on the tower.
“I knew the front row was the place to be, so armed with this information, I got to the photographer queue earlier than normal, to make sure I was first in line.
“There are only 10 pitwall tabards, and I ran as fast as I could to be in the best position. I was very happy with the outcome, which is taken at a very high shutter speed to freeze the action.
“Then, after this, the parc ferme celebrations continued and, finally, the podium – for which I was in the best place again, right in the middle at the front.”
Tech specs:
Camera Body - Nikon D5
Lens - Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8
Shutter speed - 1/3200 of a second
Aperture - F5.6
ISO - 1600
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