24 July 2023 , 07:00
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It was only when I was bundled into the passenger seat that I really began to feel the nerves.
I had known for several weeks before attending the British Grand Prix that I was going to be taken on a lap of the Silverstone track. And it made me even more excited for what was already going to be a special weekend at one of the great sporting events the UK has to offer.
It also made for a nice break from my usual duties on the Thursday, which is media day in the Formula 1 world. As much as it's fun to report on this sport, it's a full-on day darting up and down the paddock to be at as many interview sessions as possible.
After a safety briefing, I was led out onto the side of the Hamilton Straight, where it turned up – and it was beautiful. The 100th Anniversary Edition of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, celebrating a centenary of the iconic car brand's performance division.
Time was short so, with my helmet fitted, it was into the passenger seat, seat belt on and a hello to Zhou Guanyu sat next to me. The F1 racer, the sport's first ever Chinese driver, was my chauffeur for the next few minutes.
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We only had one lap, so it was important to make the most of it. I was about to tell him that he didn't need to take it easy on me. But I never got the chance as the door had barely closed before he put his foot down, wheel-spinning from a standing start.
Definitely not the look of a nervous man... (Simon Thompson)Now, I have no issue with speed. Behind the wheel myself I think I would have been much less nervous, but the control freak in me was panicking a little – which is ridiculous when the man driving is one of the best in the world. And he certainly was showing off.
Zhou was throwing the car into every single corner and putting the rear end out at every opportunity. The one slightly hairy moment came at Brooklands where, just for a split second, the car stepped out a little too much, but Zhou was quick to regain full control and correct the car.
It was after that moment that I really settled and took full enjoyment from the rest of the lap. You begin to understand why F1 drivers lover the Maggots and Becketts complex on this track so much when you're flying through them at speed.
The gorgeous Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio in which I was driven around the Silverstone circuit by F1 driver Zhou Guanyu (Simon Thompson)We did have to slow at the following corner, Chapel, as one of the cars ahead of us on another hot lap span onto the grass and they yellow flags were waved. But it didn't spoil what was a special experience, after which I got to chat with Zhou at a slower pace, for our interview in the comfort of the Alfa Romeo motorhome.
As a South Yorkshireman, it was a pleasure to chat about Sheffield – Zhou spent some time living in the Steel City as a teenager as he chased his F1 dreams. And it was just as enjoyable to get a unique view of this iconic Silverstone track, by flying around it in an outrageous machine.
And as quick as it felt, as Zhou told me afterwards, it's still nothing like barrelling around the circuit in an F1 car. I love my job, but I'm still very jealous of his.
Alfa Romeo celebrates the 100th anniversary of its high-performance Quadrifoglio division this year. To find out more, visit the Alfa Romeo website.