I think maybe you're talking about Paddock Club, where you have access to the suites in the Pit Building above the garages, but generally can't walk around in the Paddock on the ground between the garages and team buildings. Is that right?
I've never done Paddock Club upstairs in the suites, but I have had Paddock Passes with access on the ground in the Paddock (+ Pit Lane and Track access tabards) all weekend at COTA in 2012 & parts of 2013 & 2014. That was all thanks to the late Charlie Whiting through a friend of mine in 2012 & 2013, and Shell in 2014. I could never justify paying what it would cost for that. Hell, idk even know what it cost ... just that it's a LOT, if you can buy them at all. In 2012 & 2013 I was out in Pit Lane with team personnel, taking pics of the cars and drivers as they rolled into Parc Ferme after the race, and taking podium photos with the F1 photographers, which was pretty cool. I also won a Paddock Pass for MotoGP once from 101X, when Rossi and Hayden were still there. Very different atmosphere in the MotoGP Paddock, compared to F1. Good times. /csb