The feel was certainly different on Good Friday. For a start, there were far more Red Bull replica shirts present than before.
The slight throng of hands clutching pen, paper and camera phones were noticeable and became even more prominent during the autograph session prior to the opening FIA World Endurance Championship race today.
That this Good Friday was warm, if a touch breezy, probably brought a few extra punters; keen for an autograph and the briefest of moments with a star.
And don’t underestimate him. Mark Webber is a star.
Oh, maybe not in the way Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso are stars, but still the man attracts. And while it is his status that the ACO and the FIA will play upon when promoting this eight-date world tour, there is little doubt that Porsche have brought the Australian in to capitalise on his skill and speed.
For Webber, there is the matter of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a lot of unfinished business. It is not 1999 and this is no incorrectly designed Mercedes. In the Porsche 919, Webber will also see an opportunity for a World Championship and that should be more than enough to get his blood pumping.
But take care today, for while blue skies courted Friday’s Free Practice, heavy clouds drew on raceday, doing much to turn the Easter meeting upside down.
