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The life of an F1 substitute

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Lingering in the shadows at the back of the garage lacks the glamour of being a race driver, but the role of understudy is an important one when the time comes to step into the limelight

Access to a Formula 1 grid can feel as difficult as penetrating Fort Knox. Standing guard at the pitwall entrance is a line of security guards clocking the passes of every person who tries to traverse the hallowed asphalt.

Mechanics wheeling a set of four tyres wrapped in heated blankets have been known to be stopped if their passes are not visible. Only team members who have a job to perform are allowed on the grid.

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