Ambassadors and Qualifiers Enjoy Exclusive Red Spade Pass Experience at Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix

Steve Enriquez Ramon Colillas Brazil

It was a weekend of exclusive access, VIP passes and epic experiences, as PokerStars Ambassadors and Red Spade Pass winners enjoyed a once in a lifetime trip to the Brazilian Grand Prix.

PokerNews took time to sit down with PokerStars Ambassadors Steve Enriquez and Ramon Colillas to talk about a weekend of "sick" experiences and where the PokerStars and Oracle Red Bull Racing partnership goes from here.

Ramon Colillas Steve Enriquez

Photos courtesy of Danny Maxwell via PokerStars

An Epic Weekend

Both Enriquez and Colillas, along with all Red Spade Pass winners, had access to all practice, qualifying and race sessions while at the Brazilian Grand Prix, as part of PokerStars' partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing, with both Spaniards were in awe of the size of a Formula 1 weekend.

Steve Enriquez Ramon Colillas

"It's one of the sickest experiences I've done with PokerStars"

"I've never had the opportunity to experience a race so closely before and all the preparation that goes into it," said Colillas.

"I would never imagine how big an F1 weekend is. It's definitely something quite new for me at least," Enriquez said. "It's one of the sickest experiences I've done with PokerStars. There have been a bunch of very fun activities and other things to do while we're here."


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Red Spade Pass Experience

Enriquez said that he had enjoyed spending time with Red Spade Pass winners, who won their way to Brazil in a number of different ways — including giveaways, home games and mystery bounty tournament prizes. All the winners were treated to a once in a lifetime experience of epic proportions.

Red Spade Pass Winners

"It's been great finding out the story of how the people won their Red Spade Pass," said Enriquez. "One guy won his in the Barcelona Mystery Bounty and another in Rafael Moraes' home game."

"Being able to do these things: travelling by helicopter, staying in a luxury hotel — you wouldn't be able to do that without this giveaway," said Colillas. "The possibility to play poker and win prizes to live this Formula One experience is unique to PokerStars and Red Bull.

"I feel fortunate to be able to share all of these moments with the Red Spade Pass winners."


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Formula One and Poker

Red Bull Racing

The trip also allowed Enriquez and Colillas, along with all other guests, to observe the many similarities between poker and Formula One, and notice firsthand where the two overlap.

"It's just a sign that he's just as fast, no matter what he's doing"

"We saw Sergio 'Checo' Perez playing in the charity tournament earlier in the trip, even knocking out Ramon in the first hand!" said Enriquez. "It's just a sign that he's just as fast, no matter what he's doing. Who knows if we'll see Ramon driving in Formula One!"

"I think there are many things in common, more than people may think," said Colillas. "There's the excitement, competition, adrenalin and sportsmanship. Players and drivers always have the ambition to be number one in their respective fields. There is passion and drive for players and drivers — the same mentality is evident across both things."

Enriquez says that he was able to feel the connection between Oracle Red Bull Racing and PokerStars.

"The thrill of being fast while playing Spin & Gos. The concentration needed while driving a racecar and playing at a final table. The partnership is really, really good. It's clear this promotion will be running for a long time!"

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  • PokerStars Ambassadors Steve Enriquez and Ramon Colillas spoke to PokerNews about their Grand Prix weekend experience

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Managing Editor

Based in the United Kingdom, Will started working for PokerNews as a freelance live reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time staff in 2019. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.

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