Today, Vladimir's portfolio is bursting with images of many different sports, but Formula 1 is where the photographer's passion lies. "My first season was in 2005, and I remember going to Australia for the first race," he says. "Suddenly, a new world opened up in front of me. Photographically it was so exciting because I had a space where I could do a nice portrait, I could capture the action, I could be arty, I could shoot landscape – I could shoot anything."

Vladimir went freelance in 2010 and is now based in both Greece and Germany. After 15 years photographing high-speed races, he is still just as excited every time he sets foot on a circuit. "Every track and every race is different," he says. "I'm constantly learning."

With a string of awards to his name, including being named Photographer of the Year in 2014 by the Italian Motorsport Federation, Vladimir's pictures are known around the world. "It's always nice to get recognition for your work, but that's not why I do it," he explains. "For me, it doesn't mean that now it's time to lean back and enjoy it. It pushes me forward."

As for what's next, Vladimir believes the best is yet to come. "I'm never satisfied," he says. "I constantly look forward to the next race and the opportunity to create something new again. I always hope the next picture will be my best yet."

What would you say are the key elements of successful Formula 1 photography?
"Motorsport is so fast, but you should go slow. Follow the lines and the shadows and position yourself carefully. Over the years, you learn where you can expect the cars to come off the track, what time they'll come through a particular tunnel and where you can get a nice action shot. That's why Formula 1 is still so exciting for me and I still have the curiosity to find those new shots."

How would you describe your photographic style?
"My style is very graphic; I like to follow the light. I mostly look at light, composition, colours and shadows. As a photographer, you need to put the whole story in one picture. You need to see something that the average spectator doesn't see. You must always look from a different angle, find new positions and be extremely focused on what you're doing."

Do you have a favourite Formula 1 circuit to photograph?
"Monaco is the top circuit for most of the photographers because it's so rewarding and you can get so close to the cars. It's like nowhere else. I also love Singapore. The atmosphere of the night race is so unique. You can play with colours and light and it's incredibly beautiful. One of the most difficult circuits is Silverstone in the UK as it's just flat. It's not as photogenic, but it's such a speed circuit and that's amazing. I like that every circuit presents a different challenge."

What's your advice for staying focused during a long race?
"Always eat before the race starts so you can focus. Also, keep warm. If you feel you're losing concentration, change position, experiment with a new angle, try something different. Get out of your comfort zone and try something crazy. Some races are long, but for me, it's so exciting and the time flies by."

"Technology is always rapidly improving and developing. I've seen so many changes over my career and you just can't ignore that – you must learn to adapt to the new developments and equipment. You need to keep changing your approach, but also stay true to your own style and your own photographic values. Create the picture in the camera, not just on the computer. There are tools that assist you to become better in your photography, but remember that computers are only there to help you. You shouldn't rely on them to create your pictures, because you won't get the same results."

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