Okay, so I finally did it. That F1 driving thing I’d been thinking about for ages. Wasn’t cheap, let me tell you, but sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet, right? Found a place that offered these ‘experiences’, booked it online. Took a while to get the day confirmed, lots of back and forth.
Getting There and Suited Up
Showed up on the day. Place was kinda out in the middle of nowhere, as expected. Big track, lots of noise already from other cars running around. First thing was signing papers, loads of them. Basically saying if you bin it, it’s on you. Standard stuff, but still makes you gulp a bit.
Then came the gear. They hand you this race suit, feels thick and kinda stiff. Getting into it was a bit of a wrestle. Then the boots, gloves, and finally the helmet with a balaclava underneath. Suddenly felt very serious, and honestly, a bit like a spaceman.
The Talk and Waiting Game
We had a briefing. Group of us, all looking equally nervous and excited. An instructor guy ran through the basics:
- How the car works (sort of – pedals, tiny steering wheel, paddles for gears).
- What the flags mean (don’t ignore them!).
- Follow the instructor car first few laps.
- Don’t be a hero, basically.
He made it sound simple. It wasn’t. Then we waited. Watched some other guys go out. The waiting is always the worst part, makes you think too much.
Getting Strapped In
My turn came. Walking up to that car… it’s tiny. Really low to the ground. Getting in requires a technique. Feet first, then kinda wiggle and drop yourself down into the seat. And man, it’s tight. Like, really snug. They strap you in with these harnesses, pulling them super tight until you can barely move. Felt completely locked in place. Weird feeling.
Hitting the Track
Engine fired up. Right behind your head. The noise and vibration, even at idle, is intense. Pulled out onto the track behind the instructor. First lap or two was just about getting a feel for it. The steering is super direct, tiny movements make a difference. The brakes need a real hard push.
After the slow laps, they waved me on. Time to actually drive it. Gave it some gas down the straight… whoa. Okay, that’s fast. Properly fast. The acceleration just pushes you back hard. Then the first proper corner comes rushing up way quicker than you expect.
You have to concentrate so hard. Looking ahead, braking point, turn in, hitting the apex (or trying to!), accelerating out. The noise is constant, the wind rushing past, the feeling of the tires gripping… or sometimes feeling like they might not!
Did maybe 5 or 6 laps on my own? Honestly, it’s a blur. You’re working hard in there. Steering, shifting with the paddles, braking. It’s physical. My arms started to feel it.
Back to Reality
Saw the flag telling me to come in. Rolled back down the pit lane, engine off. Silence felt weird. Took a few moments just sitting there, heart pounding. Someone helped me unbuckle the harnesses. Climbing out was harder than getting in, legs felt a bit shaky.
Pulled the helmet off. Sweaty, hair a mess, but grinning like an idiot. That was something else. Completely draining, massively intense, but absolutely brilliant.
Was it worth it?
Yeah, definitely. It’s not like driving a normal car at all. It’s raw, demanding. Gave me a whole new respect for what actual F1 drivers do. It’s an experience I won’t forget, that’s for sure. Totally exhausting, but glad I ticked that box.