Jenson Button con la McLaren a Bathurst

Il campione del mondo di Formula 1 2009 Jenson Button ed il pilota della V8 Supercar Craig Lowndes and 2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button took turns to drive each other’s regular rides at the infamous Mount Panorama circuit today. Craig Lowndes became the first Australian driver to drive a Formula 1 car at Bathurst, driving a 2008-specification McLaren MP4/23 for five laps around the 3.86 mile long circuit. Jenson Button took to the track in Lowndes regular ride, a 5.0 litre V8 powered Holden Commodore VE2 and set a best time of 2:17, 10 seconds down on the pole position time at the circuit last year. However, at the wheel of the Formula 1 car, Button blitzed that time, completing a full lap in just 1:48. "These guys are crazy – they really are," said Button. "This place is fantastic. Television just doesn’t do it justice. When I drove around earlier in a Mercedes road car it even felt fast. I think I’m going to have more fun in the V8 car than the F1 because you can actually use all the kerbs and get a good flow. I’m really excited about the challenge. It’s the second time I’ll be driving a V8 and I’ve got so many good memories of watching the V8s on TV and hopefully one day I get to drive one for real and it not just be four laps." The event was arranged by both Triple Eight and McLaren’s shared sponsor Vodafone, with support from Bathurst Council. Thousands of spectators attended with their entry donations going to the Queensland and Victoria Flood Appeal. Button and Lowndes will be in action this weekend, with the V8 Supercars Championship holding its non-championship event in support of the opening round of the 2011 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.