Formula 1 launches 'Pirelli Hot Laps' for 2018

Formula 1 has announced the launch of the Pirelli Hot Laps programme. Ten events will occur throughout the 2018 season in which spectators, celebrities and guests attending a Grand Prix will have a chance to be driven around a track in a supercar by a professional racing driver.

Pirelli, the official tyre supplier of F1, will present the programme and provide all the tyres from a separate garage, where all the supercars will be available for viewing. Bahrain, which hosts the second round of the 2018 F1 championship, will be the first venue for the programme.

Aston Martin, who will run with the Aston Martin Vantage and McLaren, who have chosen the McLaren 720S, are the first two manufacturers to confirm their participation in the ten events. However, it is expected that more leading car brands will be announced in the coming weeks.

Sean Bratches, Managing Director, Commercial Operations at Formula 1 said: "The Formula 1 Pirelli Hot Laps programme represents a new opportunity to allow Formula 1 fans to get closer to a real track experience. 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."

Mario Isola, Head of Car Racing at Pirelli 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."

Fergal Walsh