There’s some exciting news for Formula One fans attending this year’s Top Gear Festival in Durban on June 16 and 17.
The Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team will be sending last year’s actual F1 car to light up the streets of Durban on the Top Gear Festival street circuit.
The Silver Arrow will be piloted by Sam Bird, GP2 winner and test driver for the Mercedes AMG Petronas team, and fans can expect some interesting demonstrations of F1 power and roar throughout the weekend on the 2.4-km street circuit. Dubbed internally by the team as the MGP W02, the car runs a 2.4-litre, V8 that revs to a spine-chilling 18 000rpm.
Bird said: “I’m really looking forward to the Top Gear Festival and the opportunity to drive our Silver Arrow F1 car through the streets of Durban.
“Any event where the fans can really get close to the car and experience the noise and power for themselves is fantastic, and we’re all excited about travelling to South Africa in June”.
Never too far from the action, Top Gear’s tame racing driver the Stig has confirmed that he will be clocking up power laps of his own in a Lamborghini Aventador and a McLaren MP4-12C.
Aside from the street circuit, visitors can expect motoring action at the Moses Mabhida stadium and at the People’s Park, in what the organisers have said will be the biggest live event Top Gear has ever staged.
Tickets to the event are on sale and range from R250 for a bronze ticket to R1 995 for a Super Fan ticket. - Star Motoring