Singapore Race Weekend
Over this past 2022 Singapore Grand Prix weekend, it was incredible to watch Sergio Pérez bring it home for Red Bull. I’m very happy for him as I respect both him and Max Verstappen and their attitudes, even when things don’t go as planned. I also feel happy for Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo getting so high up in the points as that has been rare for them this season, especially Ricciardo. While I respect Fernando Alonso and all he’s accomplished, I believe he’s unfortunately on his way out career-wise despite his consistent and very powerful driving. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, despite their struggles this season, have been resilient and unrelenting in their drive to bring Ferrari back into the forefront which I definitely admire. Most importantly for me, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are doing everything that they can to stay focused, clear, and persistent despite the distraction and the lack of harmony in terms of their choices on their 2022 car. I personally believe things will turn around once the proper problems as well as consistent rules are identified in their F1 season. Everyone else on the grid has done a phenomenal job this year driving alongside the domination of Max Verstappen. I think that was clearly exhibited in the tone and result of the Singapore Grand Prix
On a personal note, the Singapore Grand Prix means something special to me because my dad not only had a chance to attend the Singapore Grand Prix in 2019 but he went there based on his job. Just one year prior Lewis Hamilton, our favorite driver, had one of the best laps of his life on the Singapore track. Being able to attend such an event much less in a professional capacity are two aspects that could only be a dream for most people. My father had the opportunity to live it out. On the surface, he looks to be like one of the luckiest men on earth. Especially from a musician’s perspective and, equally, from a Formula 1 fan’s perspective. This is true from the level of access he had to being a part of the whole event and knowing he was not only there as a fan but also a contributor to the Grand Prix. From the perspective of a son who grew up watching my dad every night give everything he had physically and mentally (getting up almost every morning in a different country) with a schedule that would give most people either insomnia, mental illness, or overall sacrificed health, I could not be more proud and content that he achieved this life experience. He not only managed to succeed for decades in what others have called the most ruthless industry, but he also managed it all with grace, happiness, perspective, and gratitude. I can say that, at times, he had a lot more gratitude than even I had. Some of the year-round touring schedules that my dad used to uphold were so exhausting it would make even the most positive person disillusioned.
Disillusionment in my view is not a negative by any means. Especially when it’s constructive. I use the word “disillusioned” because when one sees what it really takes behind the scenes, one quickly understands that rock stars, musicians, studio musicians, as well as band members are often not given their full due for their contribution. Even with perspective and gratitude, all the illusions and allure of entertainment in general because of what we’re fed in media goes away almost instantly. Hence, disillusion.
I’m not proud of my dad because of his accomplishments. I’m definitely proud of those, too. But I’m more proud of him for his steadiness, his resolve, his ability to see past the ill intent of the people that don’t wish him or our family well, and his consistency in always remaining positive, clear in mind and body, full of youth in spirit, and always willing to learn. My dad has continually remained a student of life, even though it is clear that he is now a professor of it.
This historic occasion in 2019 where he got to attend the Singapore Grand Prix was most likely surreal for my dad as a lifelong, dedicated F1 and Indy fan. As his son, it was surreal for me to see my dad’s efforts, passion, and self-belief be actualized on the Grand Prix stage alongside Gwen Stefani, Swedish House Mafia, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hans Zimmer, Muse, and Fatboy Slim.
