F1 launches new Pirelli Hot Laps programme

Formula 1 has announced the launch of a new programme called 'Pirelli Hot Laps' that will give fans, celebrities and guests at grands prix the chance to hit the track in a supercar being driven by one of their racing heroes.

The new scheme is the first of its kind to be conducted in-house by F1, with events planned at nine grands prix through the 2018 season, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix in April.

Pirelli will present the programme and supply the tyres for the hot laps, while Aston Martin and McLaren have both confirmed their participation by supplying the supercars, with more brands set to be confirmed at a later date.

Aston Martin will chiefly use its 4.0 litre twin-turbocharged V8 Vantage supercar for the events, with Red Bull drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen among those set to drive it. McLaren will use its 720S supercar that may be driven by Lando Norris, Mika Hakkinen, Fernando Alonso and/or Stoffel Vandoorne.

"The Formula 1 Pirelli Hot Laps programme represents a new opportunity to allow Formula 1 fans to get closer to a real track experience," F1 commercial boss Sean Bratches said.

"The once in a lifetime experience of being driven at speed by a racing driver at iconic race circuits in dream cars is truly unique. We are seeking to be fan first and this is yet another example of our efforts to that end.

"This also is a demonstration of our capabilities to provide more value to valued partners like Pirelli and the Formula 1 teams."

Pirelli head of car raing Mario Isola added: "Pirelli is proud and delighted to be exclusive partner of the F1 Hot Laps 2018 programme: the first ongoing experience designed specifically for fans to sample the speed and emotion of on- the-limit driving from the inside, on actual circuits used during each grand prix weekend.

"Now in the eighth year of its latest Formula 1 era, Pirelli will showcase the performance and technology of its renowned P Zero road car tyre range on the world’s most sophisticated sportscars and supercars. This family of tyres benefits of course from all the know-how and experience gained on the race track: Pirelli’s premier research and development laboratory."