Liuzzi enjoys MotoGP experience.

Vitantonio Liuzzi was able to taste a MotoGP machine for the first time in Valencia after the Scuderia Toro Rosso driver completed a 'job swap' with Rizla Suzuki rider John Hopkins at the Spanish circuit.

The swap came about due to the relationship both have with Red Bull, with Liuzzi taking to the track on the 990cc Suzuki and 'Hopper' tasting the V10-powered F1 machine for the first time.

Although Liuzzi had to be careful not to do anything stupid with team bosses Gerhard Berger and Franz Tost watching on, he had clearly enjoyed the experience when he climbed from the bike.

"It was an orgasm! It was amazingly cool! It was really great!" he enthused "I've always loved bikes but after today, I love them even more, because the guys who race these are unbelievable and not human.

"The bike is like a crazy horse and it is really difficult to keep the front end down. I was trying, but I kept something in reserve because I could feel the shadow of Franz and Gerhard telling me to be careful as I am testing in two weeks! I think you just need to take more risks than I was prepared to take today. The way you tackle the lap is very different on two wheels, as the most important thing is to have the balls to keep the throttle open. It was a fantastic adrenalin rush. The most amazing thing about the bike was the grip, as you can lean right over. Unbelievable! I would love to have a race on this bike."

Liuzzi was also impressed with the performance Hopkins put in at the wheel of his regular drive, with the MotoGP ace lapping within five seconds of the F1 regulars.

"The Formula One car is a much more complicated technically to drive than the bike," Liuzzi said. "But once John got the hang of the car and how it handled, he was very impressive and very fast."

For Hopkins, the only previous experience of four wheel racing came on a go-kart, with the American having been excited at the prospect of getting into an F1 car ever since the switch was first mooted.

"I've been looking forward to today for weeks now," he said. "Ever since I had the seat fitting, this experience could not have come soon enough and today was a dream come true. At first it was a bit overwhelming, looking at all the buttons on the steering wheel, but once I understood the most important thing is to keep the heat in the tyres under braking then it all got easier.

"It's easy to say you can do this but when the time actually comes, it's quite a challenge and I spun it a couple of times. Then I began to get the hang of braking very late and on my final run I got a feeling for the car moving around underneath me. I could feel it drifting and I could sense the front end pushing coming out of the corners. I was trying my hardest and going for it without being reckless."

Hopkins added that he had enjoyed his run in the car so much that he would consider a switch in the future - with such a move easier than if Liuzzi decided he fancied building a MotoGP career!

"By the end of the run, it began to feel natural to me," he said. "I think I'd consider racing one of these in the future. I always knew it would be easier for me to get into four wheels than for Tonio on two, but with his lack of experience I think he did real good. He popped a wheelie and got his knee down!"