FORMULA One leader Max Verstappen has raced a fleet of classic British vehicles, including a Spitfire, ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix.
The Red Bull Racing driver took on a double decker bus, London cab, white van, boy racer and even a Supermarine Spitfire at the Goodwood circuit in West Sussex.
Unsurprisingly the Dutch driver, who is aiming to extend his Formula One championship lead over Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone this weekend, soon left the pack of classic cars behind, despite giving them a healthy head start.
The RB7 vehicle, in which Sebastian Vettel won the 2011 world title, is capable of reaching race speeds of 220mph.
As Max Verstappen accelerated down the final home straight, the 400mph Spitfire began to gain ground, leading to a photo finish.
The ‘Best of British’ battle was officially declared a draw between the Formula One car and the World War Two fight plane.
Max Verstappen said the race acted as a practice for what is to come this weekend.
“It was great to see all of these typically British vehicles on track with the RB7 and I hope the fans enjoy this bit of fun before the race at the weekend,” he said.
“The British love their motorsport, which is special to see, so I’m always very happy to be in the country, but of course to be at Silverstone is even better.”
Mr Verstappen, who has proved the pace-setter in the early rounds of the F1 Championship, said the Silverstone Grand Prix is always a significant date on the calendar due to its location close to the Red Bull Racing Honda’s Technology Campus in Milton Keynes.
“When we were at Silverstone last year, the track was amazing, but the atmosphere was missing,” he added.
Red Bull Racing Honda CEO and team principal Christian Horner said Silverstone will be a “big challenge” for the team.
“It’s been a stronghold of Mercedes for several years now, but it’s another opportunity to see how we perform on a different track,” he said.
“And of course, with the first of the new sprint races this year it’s going to be a new event format and extra points are available.
“Whatever happens it’s going to be a really exciting weekend and we are ready for the fight.”
The British Grand Prix will see the return of a full capacity crowd for the first time since 2019, with Verstappen looking to repeat his Silverstone 70th Anniversary Grand Prix win from last year.
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