From two wheels to four, 240 to over 900 horsepower, and a combined eight world titles; The Silver Arrows and La Fuera. When champions of this caliber connect, you’d better sit up and take note.
Triple F1 Constructors’ champions (2014 / 2015 / 2016); The MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team and five-time World motorcycle championJorge Lorenzo teamed up for a one of a kind test of man and machine at Silverstone last month.
Taking advantage of a break in his hectic race schedule, Jorge headed to the UK to become only the fourth MotoGP champion in history to sample F1 machinery. Following an acclimatisation programme, during which Jorge got to grips with F2 single seater machinery at Snetterton, the 29-year old Spaniard lapped the record breaking, and championship winning, MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1 W05 Hybrid around the Silverstone International Circuit.
“When I was a kid of 8 years old, I used to dream about becoming world champion; it seemed impossible. To drive a Formula One car, for me, was even more impossible, and finally now it’s happened,” said Lorenzo. “Riding a motorbike is a bit like walking for me, but the [F1] car is something completely new.
“There was a lot to learn, and I just wanted to understand what I can do to be as fast as possible. The speed is impressive, and the power on the straights is unbelievable. Even in the slower corners the grip is incredible. What looks like a fast corner on a bike, in reality is a slow corner in the car. I’ve enjoyed this experience to the maximum and it’s a dream come true.”
An elaborate mix of horsepower and exotic composites, the F1 W05 is a trailblazing piece of motorsports history. A ground-up designed race car for the hybrid-era of F1, it returned the Silver Arrows to winning ways with victory in the 2014 Constructors’ championship, as well as carrying Lewis Hamilton to a career second Drivers’ title in the same year.
So sit back, strap-in and check out how one of the greatest MotoGP riders of the modern era got to grips with a truly legendary race ride.
Credit: Monster