McLaren-Honda star and 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button recently had a go behind the wheel of a rallycross car, driving a Mini RX for a BBC feature with 13-time grand prix winner David Coulthard.
The pair travelled to the circuit of Lydden Hill, which has been hosting the World RX of Great Britain since the rapidly growing series received the FIA seal last year.
“This has been a mega experience and completely different to what I am used to,” said Button. “The cars are a lot more powerful, but the same principles still apply. You need a huge amount of skill to drive these cars – on your own it’s scary enough, never mind going up against another four or five other drivers!
“World RX is an exciting championship and it’s great to see the sport growing again like it was in the 1980s both in the British and on the world scene.
“Everybody racing in single-seaters or in circuit racing regards rallycross as very professional and a lot of fun.”
Button’s late father John was a prominent rallycross driver in the 1970s and 80s, racing a Volkswagen Beetle to the runner-up spot in the 1976 British Rallycross Championship.
Stepping out of his 2015-spec WRX car, his 35-year-old son then had the opportunity to follow in his footsteps by climbing aboard a 1974 VW Beetle.
Button, whose future in F1 beyond this year remains up in the air, says he was thrilled to be able to take a trip down memory lane.
“I grew up with rallycross. I used to watch my dad racing back in the mid-80s and I used to love hearing the car.
“I would not have become an F1 world champion if it hadn’t been for my dad and the grassroots of rallycross. That was where I caught the motorsport bug.
“It has brought back some really nice memories but since then, I’ve also enjoyed watching World RX on TV. I remember seeing the footage from the Finnish round of the championship last year and today confirmed just how great it is in real life too.”
Click here for a lighter look at the Belgian Grand Prix, courtesy of F1i special contributor Eric Silbermann.
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