23/3/11,
The driver of McLaren, Jenson Button became the first driver to drive in the famous Panorama Mountain circuit, in a F1 car. Button did a number of 4 laps in his MP4-26.
Speaking at this event he said: “These guys are crazy – they really are. This place is fantastic. Television just doesn’t do it justice.”
Another famous driver Craig Lowndes did 5 laps. He said: “When I first went out it was the acceleration but when you go through turn two you really realise how much acceleration you have. In comparison the V8 seems to labour up the mountain.”
Button also drove a Holden Commodore V8 and was raced by Lowndes . Jenson said: “As a driver you have your favourite tracks. Like Macau and Silverstone for instance. “But this is the one I haven’t had the possibility of driving and I’m going to fulfil a childhood dream in not only a V8 but also in a Formula 1 car – which I think is pretty special myself. “This is an iconic race track and it’s great to celebrate the unofficial fastest lap in a F1 car. That was phenomenal. It was such a rush. “Once you get over the straights being quite hard to control the car over it is such a pleasure. It’s just a pity I don’t have more laps to test it out.”
Button also added that he was surprised by how much the Holden Commodore V8 helped him when driving in the circuit: “I didn’t expect so much grip. It took me a while to get used to it. “I haven’t hammered a car over kerbs like that for 12 years so it was a new experience for me and something I’ve missed. “I was holding on tight all the way. It takes everything out of you. It was the experience I’ve wanted to have for many years and I’ve finally done it. In a way it’s probably not a good thing because it’s made me more hungry to come back.”
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