Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg tackled the Nordschleife in classic Mercedes cars in Germany but it’s not the first time we’ve seen drivers get behind the wheel to put on a good show for the fans.
We’ve had cars drive on classic circuits and even ice and sand. Below are ten of the best F1 show runs.
10. Jacques Villeneuve in Gilles’ Ferrari – Goodwood 2004
1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve drove his fathers Ferrari for the one and only time at Goodwood. It was to celebrate 25 years since then infamous battle between Gilles Villeneuve and Rene Arnoux at Dijon in 1979. Arnoux was also at the event in his Renault and drove up with the hill after Jacques drove the Ferrari.
9. F1 Car vs. Motorbike vs. Power Boat – Fifth Gear 2005
Back when Honda were cool and not a bunch of green-piece members, they raced their F1 car against one of their Motorcycles and Power boats. 2009 champion Jenson Button was at the wheel.
8. Sebastian Vettel drives Toro Rosso on public roads – Italy 2009
When Sebastian Vettel won the Bandini trophy he didn’t want to go pick it up any old way. He drove his race winning Toro Rosso from the factory in Faenza to Bandini’s hometown of Brisighella on public roads! Also check out the Lamborghini police car. Sweet.
7. Fernando Alonso drives 1951 winning Ferrari 375 – Silverstone 2011
Just before the start of this years British Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso drove the Ferrari 375 around for a demo run. It was the first Ferrari F1 car to win a Grand Prix, 60 years earlier at the very same track. Alonso went on to win the British Grand Prix and in turn drove Ferrari’s oldest and most recent winning F1 cars in the space of a few hours.
6. Michael Schumacher’s final lap with Ferrari – Monza 2006
This probably would have been higher on the list if it was really his last run in an F1 car. Still here is Schumacher’s final lap in a Ferrari, befittingly at Monza.
5. Sebastien Buemi drives F1 car on ice – Montreal 2010
Red Bull have done tones of show runs and this is one of their best. Seeing the car at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve covered in snow is one awesome site.
4. Lewis Hamilton drives Ayrton Senna’s McLaren – Top Gear 2010
A moment Lewis Hamilton had always dreamed of. Lewis got to drive the car he watched his hero Ayrton Senna win the world championship in. He drove the 1988 McLaren around Silverstone as part of a Top Gear feature about Senna. You can see in his face how much it meant to him.
3. Jaime Alguersuari drives F1 car on Sand – Dominican Republic 2010
It’s always fun to see an F1 car on a surface other than tarmac. Jaime Alguersuari took the show car to the beach in another awesome show run from Red Bull.
2. Nick Heidfeld drives the Nordschleife – Nürburgring 2006
Nick Heidfeld got to live a boyhood dream when he drove his BMW Sauber round the infamous Nordschleife. It was also a treat for F1 fans seeing a modern car on this classic race circuit.
1. F1 Car vs. Rally car vs. Road car – Silverstone 1999
Just how fast is a Formula One car? This incredible race gives you some idea. Johnny Herbert raced the Stewart Ford around Silverstone against Colin McRae in a rally car and Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson in a road car.
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