Calder Park roared into life as a couple of Formula 1 stars and a second generation racer took to the track in something a little bit different.
BWT Alpine F1 Team’s Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon were joined by reserve driver, Australian Jack Doohan as they sampled Thomas Randle’s Castrol Racing Gen3 Ford Mustang at the Calder Park Thunderdome.
The day included a run on the famous Thunderdome Oval, which has not been raced on properly for more than 25 years.
Joining the three BWT Alpine F1 Team drivers were regular driver Randle and Castrol-supported rally ace Molly Taylor.
Gasly was impressed by the performance of the Gen3 Ford Mustang as he prepares for this weekend’s Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.
“That was insane! A really amazing experience the first time driving this beast,” said Gasly.
“It was actually my first time driving on an oval, it was incredible. Just too short – when I came back to stop here, I wanted to go for another 10 laps! It was a very impressive car, much different to what I’m used to driving so I definitely had a lot of fun.”
For Ocon, he is keen to experience Bathurst first hand after enjoying his run in the Supercar.
“It definitely felt great, it’s cool to have that experience as the car is racing tomorrow also, so we had a big responsibility. I love to try and experience new categories and that definitely was a lot of fun,” said Ocon.
“It accelerates very fast, we were on an oval and it was a bit wet today, so we were on the wet tyres, but it definitely is a proper supercar. I did race closed racing cockpits before but that was definitely the one of the top ones I have tested.
“I drive Bathurst a lot on the simulator and it is something else.
“Of course I would like to experience it in real life, I haven’t done so, but one day.”
For the first time the development categories of the top-tier in Formula 2 and 3 will race on Australian soil for the first time, with Doohan racing a car at home for the first time.
“I’ve never raced a car in Australia, so to be able to do it in Formula 2 here in Melbourne at Albert Park is awesome,” said Doohan.
“Obviously, the dream would be on the streets of the Gold Coast, but to be here surrounded by the Australian fans, I can’t wait to get the weekend started.”
Doohan found the Supercar a challenge in the greasy conditions.
“It was very cool. It was surreal to come here and see this place for the first time, the banking is amazing,” he revealed.
“It was unbelievable, a lot of power as well. I’d never driven the car before and for it to be in these conditions; slippery, greasy, a little bit wet and also on a track like this it was very cool.”
Check out the video below.