15 February 2011 - 22:00
Button to tackle Bathurst in F1 car
It's confirmed - Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes will bring Formula One to Mount Panorama on March 22, when Jenson Button will have a lash at a lap time around the fearsome circuit.
As well, Triple Eight will bring Craig Lowndes and his Team Vodafone Commodore down for a play. The teams did a very similar thing last year at Albert Park, where Button swapped cars with Jamie Whincup.
This is different, though. If you've ever watched a race at Bathurst, you've more than likely idly wondered how fast an F1 car would get around the 6.2km circuit.
Watch TG drive an Audi R8 GT around Mt Panorama
It'll certainly present challenges. It's our bet that the team will bring a heavily modified 2010 car, running at maximum ride height and maximum downforce - taking off on Conrod Straight won't be great PR...
Still, the fastest ever lap around the track currently sits at 2min 06.8sec - ironically set by Lowndes during practice for last year's Bathurst 1000 - and we reckon a time in the 1min 45sec range isn't out of the question...
More news as it comes to hand.
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I'm really looking forward to this. Bit nervous for Lowndes, he said he's going to be trying to beat his current record... Coming off and flipping at the bottom of conrod in an f1 car would have to be certain death.
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Having driven around Mt Panorama I'm surprised they are even attempting it given that it's not very smooth. That said I think an F1 car should be able to lap it very much faster than a V8 Supercar. BTW Lowndes is driving a V8 not F1.
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Why is it on a Tusday??
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Bathurst isn't that bad, ups and downs, its a mountain.( I've drive it in a V8 ute & a 1200 superbike) at least no pot holes now days.Is there an offical start time for the F1 - V8 runs, tickets on sale? or find a hole in the fence! I will definatly be there on Tuesday from sunrise if necessary.Hope they both give it a hard run.
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MrFordGT commented on this article
at 10:27 pm on 15 February 2011
That is very interesting, the biggest obstacle will be the dipper-may need to run wide and slow through that corner. Where can we see this besides online?
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