Formula 1 big picture is a feature designed to showcase a side of the sport that is sometimes missed on television.

As well as being dramatic and exciting, F1 is also a sport where beauty is visible at every turn.

Whether it is the curves of the cars, the drama and personality provided by the drivers, or the attractiveness of the setting, F1 is one of the world's most photogenic sports.

Over the last 20 years, Darren Heath has carved a reputation as one of F1's most original photographers.

This is his story behind his first image of 2010:

"Poised at the pit-lane exit in his shiny new and super-quick Ferrari F10 Fernando Alonso looks strangely calm and at peace all alone in his tightly cocooned cockpit.

"Seconds later the caterwaul howl of the Ferrari's V8 engine shatters the peace as the Spaniard blasts towards the first turn.

"The second day of the final preseason test at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya is well underway and for the photographer it's a wonderful opportunity to shoot the cars in some low-in-the-sky spring time light.

"Personally I relish the challenge of trying to capture the lonely nature of testing as the new machines are put through their paces by their drivers and teams.

"As the cars make their way along the Barcelona pit lane they pass in and out of illuminating shafts of light before coming to a fully lit halt.

"After shooting the Ferrari head-on I swung the 600mm lens around, quickly composing the shot so as to isolate the car against the out of focus horizon. Alonso's patriotically coloured helmet reflected in his rear view mirror providing the perfect focal point of the shot.

"It's a view I think his competitors are going to see often this year."

Details - Camera: Canon EOS1DS Mark3; Lens: 600mm; Exposure: 500th sec @f/4.5

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