One of my dreams always has been to drive a Formula One car.
Finally my dream has come true.
Today we’ll get him in the simulator,
get him used to the car, and get him up to speed on all the procedures,
and the things he’ll need to do to just pull the car out of the garage.
The main differences he’s going to notice straight away are the brakes.
Obviously we’ve got a lot more capacity for breaking on one of these cars than a motorbike.
Riding a motorbike for me is somehow something like walking.
But the car is something new.
I need to put the first gear, no?
Yes, that’s right.
The cornering speeds are obviously significantly different.
The first two corners at Silverstone are flat, so you are pulling some reasonable G and
reasonable speed through those, so that could be a challenge for his neck
depending on how much running we do.
Normally motorcycle racers are quite good when they go into a car.
He was very tentative on the first lap, which is not a bad thing,
and then he’s straight into it.
Immediately he’s actually looking quite smooth, it looks quite promising to be honest.
I just want to understand what can I do to be as fast as possible in a short time.
I think he’s a safe pair of hands to be honest.
I’m very competitive, and I’m sure I will want to get into the maximum that I can get on the track.
I’m excited.
I’m curious to see how I feel in the car.
First thing we are going to do is just an install lap.
Cause we need to check the car, So you’ll go out and then come straight back in.
Then we can get into longer runs with whatever you are happy doing.
My target is to have fun, to take everything and remember forever this experience,
I’m not going to break any records, I’m not going to be World Champion tomorrow.
The main thing is not to crash, and not have any incidents, and enjoy the moment.
Ok, if you’re good to go, we will go and do an install, and I’ll talk to you on the radio.
So he’s just got down to a 50.4.
Very decent job!
He’s getting more confident in the final corner, isn’t he?
The speed is impressive, the power in the straights unbelievable,
but especially the third corner for example – the slow corner
On the bike we are in first gear, here you are in third gear.
Its unbelievable, what looks like a fast corner on the bike is really a slow corner in the car.
It’s amazing, the grip is amazing.
I think he’s done a really great job.
It’s not a big surprise that’s he’s been quick in the car.
His approach to the whole day has been refreshing.
You know, he’s been taking things on board that we’ve said, looking at data,
suggesting things that could make his life easier in the car; and he’s gone a little bit quicker
step-by-step-by-step.
Quite a rewarding day, and it’s been fun working with someone that’s got that approach.
So, very impressed.
When I was a kid of 8 or 10 years old, I used to imagine coming World Champion.
I dream about it, but it was impossible.
To be able to try a Formula One car, was even more impossible, and finally
it was a dream come true.
I’m enjoying it at the maximum.