Exciting news for Australian motorsport fans with news that Bathurst Regional Council has approved plans to allow Craig Lowndes to drive a McLaren Formula One car around the famous Mount Panorama circuit. The promo event is a tie in with Vodafone, sponsors of the McLaren F1 team and 888 Racing.
Lowndes, defending Bathurst 1000 winner, has already had a new Bathurst experience in 2011 following his efforts with Audi in the 12 hour race. And while driving around the mountain in a factory-backed R8 LMS GT3 would have been a lot of fun for Lowndes, it’s safe to say piloting an F1 car at Bathurst will be nigh in impossible to beat.
Final details of the event are yet to be confirmed, but it’s also understood 2009 F1 world champ Jenson Button will be involved, prompting speculation he will drive a Holden V8 Supercar around the 6.2km circuit.
The logistics of getting an F1 car around the tighter and steeper sections of the circuit will be intriguing to say the least. Imagining the sight of an F1 car ripping it up through the cutting, along McPhillamy Park, Skyline and down through the Dipper and Esses is mouth watering.
Lowndes has said he would “be very disappointed” if he cannot break his V8 Supercar lap record of 2:06.801 in the F1 car.
We’ll update you with firm details as they come to hand.
[Source: FoxSports | Thanks to David & Wayne for the tips]
3 replies on “Craig Lowndes to drive McLaren F1 car at Bathurst”
ESPNF1 confirms that Jenson will be involved, driving a TeamVodafone Holden. The thing I want to know is if Jenson will also have a stab with the McLaren. If he does it would be very interesting to see if track knowledge (Lowndes) or car knowledge (Button) is more important to get the best lap.
Since this will be JB’s second time driving a TeamVodafone Holden, I wonder whether he’s considering regular enduro co-driving or even full-time V8 SuperCars as a possible post-F1 racing pursuit? His smooth and accurate driving style would be very beneficial for showing up some of the hoons that V8 racing draws.
Are we all taking a day of work then on March 22 2011???
[…] brought you this news earlier in the month, but after the break you can see the official press release from the Bathurst Regional […]